Before visiting Ecuador, the trip to the equator wasn’t the most eagerly-anticipated experience on my travel bucket list. There were giant tortoises to meet, cloud forests to climb, and Indigenous markets to explore.
But the Quitsato Sundial, 50 kilometers north of Quito, was a surprising highlight. One that has made me an enthusiastic supporter of equator tourism.
Colombia, Brazil, São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia.
Please provide the text you’d like me to paraphrase.
I learned that the equator can broaden your perspective, certainly, that is what traveling is all about.
What is there to visit and see at Ecuador’s equator location?
General admission to the Quitsato Sundial is available through a modest solar museum operated by the nonprofit Quitsato organization for $5 (€4.50) per adult.
Guides provide an informative and accurate explanation of the equator and its formation, noting that it was previously located using triangulation from the Andes mountains by 18th century scientists.
Satellite technology has confirmed the location near Cayambe city to be the actual equator, distinguishing it from other sites with equatorial claims, such as the Mitad del Mundo monument and the Intiñan Solar Museum. It is also the highest country where you can visit the equator.
There is ample time to stroll around the main focal point: a 10-metre high orange pillar placed in the centre of the sundial, within a circular mosaic of pebbles that mark the solstices and equinoxes.
On a cloudless day, the pole will indicate the time; without casting a shadow at all when the sun is directly above at noon.
Capturing an institution: a classic photography setup involving standing on one side, then running behind the photographer to pose on the other side, with you appearing in both the northern and southern hemispheres in one incredible photo.
Are you ready to have your mind blown by a fundamental shift in how you view the world? The concept of the equator could forever change the way you see world maps.
The exhibit that truly stuck with me was the “Ecuascope” room – a floor-to-ceiling display that aligns the equator with the stars, and reveals the arbitrariness of the world map.
Despite the fact that the north is often displayed at the top of the world maps, there is nothing inherently “up” about the north. Historically, world maps have placed different directions at the top based on the prevalent worldview: east, in the direction of sunrise, for instance, was the case for the ancient Egyptians; south, towards Mecca, was preferred by early Muslim cultures who were primarily situated north of it.
In 1569, belonging to a Flemish geographer, Gerardus Mercator, a pioneering map was created, taking into account the curvature of our planet, with the primary intention of assisting navigators at sea. It appears Mercator placed north at the top of his map due to the extensive explorations carried out by Europeans during that period, notes science writer Caroline Williams. It is also worth noting that Mercator’s map proved to be quite influential, and as a result, Europe has since appeared on the upper portion of the planet.
The Quitsato Solar Museum shifts your viewpoint, encouraging you to picture what it would be like if the Equator were projected upright, with the East at the top. Its “integral geo perspective” map argues that the East is the only cardinal direction with a consistent reference point: the sun.
“Research from psychology suggests that our component-oriented philosophy may be contaminating how we perceive what is valuable in the world.”
Besides Ecuador, what other countries can you visit that lie on the equator?
A trip to the latitude of zero isn’t guaranteed to be life-altering. But if you’re already traveling in one of these countries, it’s worth making a short stop to cross it.
Kenya’s equator signs
You can find the equator in several locations in Kenya.
Nanyuki Town has a distinctively bright yellow sign located along the road, featuring a collection of souvenir shops. A somewhat skeptical TripAdvisor review refers to it as a “must-do tourist trap.” For a small fee, you can experience firsthand how the Coriolis effect on water, resulting in normally clockwise or counterclockwise rotation as it drains, becomes zero at the precise point of 0 degrees latitude.
This planet also has a sign, and it is a more peaceful place to absorb the moment.
The Equator Monument in Indonesia
Located in the West Kalimantan province, Pontianak is commonly referred to as “Equator City”. Two miles to the north, a modest museum is situated, which houses the original monument constructed in 1928 by a Dutch geographer.
A larger structure was subsequently constructed around it, elevating the Equator Monument to a prominent landmark.
Visitors have varying opinions. “It’s a shame that the area around the monument is not well-maintained,” one traveler notes. “Go there anyhow because of the natural beauty. Being in that part of the world is a wonderful experience, a reward in itself.”
You might want to schedule your visit for the spring and autumn equinoxes, when Pontianak city hosts a festival.
Uganda’s equatorial photo opportunity
There are also a few notable equator points to consider in Uganda, aside from marveling at the mountain gorillas.
The easiest to access is at Kayabwe, where the line crosses the Kampala-Masaka road. Here a simple round monument offers the perfect photo spot for a lasting memory.
“I was quite surprised at how interesting it was to stop off at the equator,” writes one TripAdvisor reviewer. Nearby souvenir shops and restaurants received a generally positive write-up as well.
