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For a country that is relatively small, Ecuador has many UNESCO World Heritage sites. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, has recognized the necessity to preserve certain places in Ecuador due to their cultural and natural significances. Once a place has been declared a World Heritage cultural or natural site, it effectively becomes a possession of humanity, rather than belonging to a particular country or cultural group, and it is protected by an international committee.
Quito's Centro Histórico, or Old Town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, making it the first city declared a World Heritage site. The Old Town of Quito is considered the most well-preserved historical center in all of Latin America. More than 300 blocks of colonial houses, parks, churches, monasteries and heritage buildings are inside the downtown. The UNESCO committee points out that some of the Old Town's churches, like La Compañia, and the monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, are standing examples of the ¨Baroque architecture in Quito.¨This baroque architechural style is a blend of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous influences.
Cuenca, Ecuador's third largest city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. The colonial city has maintained the same rigid urban plan, which was ordered by the Spanish King Charles V, for over 400 years. This unaltered city organization, coupled with its plentiful historical buildings and its importance as an agricultural, economic and administrative center for the region, made it an accepted World Heritage site.
UNESCO has recognized the necessity to preserve certain places in Ecuador due to their cultural and natural significances....
Steeped in incredible biodiversity and astonishing beauty, the Galápagos Islands have been recognized worldwide by researchers, scientists, scuba divers and vacationers. Set about 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador, the 19 volcanic islands are part of both a national park and a biological marine reserve. Beyond containing an impressive array of animal and plant species, the Galápagos islands are also an important representation of the process of evolution. After all, this is the place that inspired Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution. The Galápagos Islands have been a World Heritage natural site since 1978 and they were added to the list of World Heritage sites in danger in 2007.
As of 1983, Sangay National Park has been an official UNESCO World Heritage natural site. Sangay National Park is home to many rare Andean species like mountain tapirs, condors, spectacled bears, margays and giant otters, who have been able to survive here due to the park's isolated location. In addition to being a haven for indigenous plants and animals, Sangay National Park also contains two active volcanoes, Sangay and Tungurahua, and a wide mix of ecosystems, which range from tropical rainforest to glaciers. This makes for exceptional natural beauty and contrast. Although it was considered an endangered site in1992, it was been removed from that status in 2005.
