The first equatorial monument is located in the town of Caragalli northeast of Quito and was erected to commemorate the 1744 French and Ecuadorian geometric expedition that measured the equatorial line there.
Equatorial Monument
Built between 1979 and 1982, it has the usual obelisk shape, and when the monument was built, it is thought to be built on the equator, so a yellow "equator" is painted under the monument.
The Spanish letters E, S, O, N are engraved on all four sides of the stele, indicating the four directions of east, south, and northwest. The stele is engraved with the names of geographers who have contributed to the measurement of the equatorial line since the 18th century. At the top of the stele is a stone globe with a white line at the waist, which is connected to the red and white lines on the steps on the east and west sides of the stele, which is the equatorial line.
The base of the monument is also inscribed with the words "Longitude: 78 degrees 27 minutes 8 seconds west; Latitude: 0 degrees 0 minutes 0 seconds". However, technology has advanced in recent years, and according to accurate measurements from professional GPS equipment, the monument is actually about 240 meters away from the equator, located at 0 degrees 0 minutes and 7.83 seconds south latitude.
geographical location
The Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador), abbreviated as Ecuador.
Located at 0°14'S, 78°3'W, a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The land area is 256,300 square kilometers, with tropical rainforest climate and savannah climate.
Ecuador was originally inhabited by Indians.
It became a Spanish colony in 1532.
Independence was declared on August 10, 1809, but remained occupied by Spanish colonial forces.
It joined the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1822 after being completely freed from colonial rule.
In 1830, it seceded from Gran Colombia and established the Republic of Ecuador.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the political situation has been turbulent, coups have been repeated, and civilian and military governments have alternated between ruling 19 times.
In August 1979, a civilian government came to power, ending military rule since 1972.
national flag
It is rectangular in shape and has a ratio of 2:1 to length-to-width. The flag is composed of three rectangles connected by yellow, blue and red.
Yellow accounts for 1/2 of the flag, red and 1/4 each of blue. The center is painted with the national coat of arms.
Yellow symbolizes the country's wealth, sunshine and food;
Blue symbolizes the blue sky, the sea and the mighty Amazon River;
Red symbolizes the blood of patriots who fought for freedom and justice.
National anthem: "Motherland, we salute you"
Capital: Quito
Population: 17.94 million (2021)
Language: Spanish
Currency: US dollar
Total GDP: $99,672 million (2021)
GDP per capita: $5,792 (2021)
Diplomatic relations with China: Established diplomatic relations in 1980 and developing well.
The capital is Quito