Quito - At the equator, the middle of the world

Photos

Ecuador -so named because the equator passes through it- is where one could be in both the northern and southern hemispheres at once.

In both hemispheres at once, at NEW equator line

Equator also passes through the Galapagos island of Isabela, as well as countries of Colombia and Brazil.  A few miles north of the capital city Quito (pronounced "Kito" and named after the local tribe of Quitu.) lies the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Spanish: Middle of the World City) where the Monument to the Equator commemorates the eighteenth century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its location.

In both hemispheres at once, at OLD equator line

This 30-meter-tall monument was constructed recently to replace an older, smaller monument.  Contrary to popular belief, there are only two points positioned exactly on the equator: Not here, but at the nearby Catequilla archaeological site, and the Quitsato Sundial 75 km away.

Intiñan Solar Museum, 200 m northeast of the Monument, is a local private attraction, which reportedly marks the exact Equator at least twice each year.  To avoid controversy, it is called the NEW equator line vis-a-vis OLD line at the monument.  Except for the exhibitions of Ecuadoran culture, the museum is an amusement for credulous tourists. Tour guides and visitors demonstrate tricks which are supposedly possible only on the Equator, such as water flowing both counter-clockwise and clockwise down a drain due to Coriolis effect, balancing an egg on the head of a nail, or weakening of muscles due to latitude (NOT being able to walk in a straight line with eyes closed, armed stretched and stepping heel to toe.)  The truth, which some tour guides will admit, is that latitude has no measurable influence on these tricks; they are unrelated to the proximity of the equator.  For more, see http://www.neverstoptraveling.com/ecuadors-fake-equator

Regardless, it is fun to watch water draining in opposite directions, being the only person to be able to balance an egg on the head of a nail - and getting a certificate for it, and feeling loss of balance while walking the equator line.

Certificate for balancing egg on the head of a nail

Before the museum opened at 9:30 am, we had a few minutes to drive over to Pululahua crater - one of the only two inhabited craters in the world.  The volcano is still active on the other side of the crater.

Later, we walked around Old Town Quito and the famous Basilica at the top of the hill before returning to our hotel.

Some Science Facts:

• At the equator, shadows are generally shorter - on Equinox (March 21 and September 21) at noon, the shadow will be exactly under your feet.
  - During Summer months in Northern Hemisphere (Mar-Sep), shadows here will point South around mid-day, and to the North during Winters (Sep-Mar.)
  - In contrast, Noon shadows always point North anywhere in the US, all year.
• 12 hour days - At equator, days and nights are 12 hour long the entire year.  That means, sun rises around 6 am and sets around 6 PM all the time.  Of course, no Daylight Savings time needed here.
• Many of the Central and South American capitals are at high elevation.  Quito is #2 at 9350 ft (#1 is La Paz, Bolivia at 11942 ft, #4 Bogota, Colombia at 8612 ft and #8 Mexico City at 7350 ft.) - main benefits: no mosquitoes at higher elevations (no Zika) and cooler weather most of the time.