Visiting The Middle Of The World
Ecuador gets its name from the Spanish word for “equator” so while in Quito, visiting the “Middle of the World” is a must. Besides, it’s not every day that you get to have each foot in different hemispheres!
Some History
In 1736, an expedition called the French Geodesic Mission set out to define where the equatorial line passed. This line separated the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Based on their measurements, the expedition determined an approximate location. In 1936, a ten-meter high monument was built on the line just outside of Quito to commemorate that expedition. Later, in the early 1980s, the monument was replaced by a larger 30-meter high monument.
Later measurements using modern GPS systems have shown that the drawn line is in the wrong spot and that the equator is actually about 240 meters north. But that hasn’t stopped tourism one bit.
The City
Considered the smallest city in Ecuador, Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City) is home to the iconic monument, as well as a museum, planetarium, restaurants, shops, and cultural exhibitions. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a live show with indigenous music and dancing.
Good To Know
Admission depends on how much you want to see or do. You can pay for entrance to the city, the museum inside the monument (which allows you to climb to the top), the planetarium, or a full pass (which includes all three). You also have to pay for parking. Below are the prices when I visited, however, they could always change so do your research ahead of time.
Have you visited the middle of the world? We’d love to read your comments below! 🙂
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Considering the available (or lack thereof) technology of the time, I’d say 240km off is quite good! Ecuador is definitely on my South American part of my itinerary. 🙂
Oh, I totally agree Stephen. It’s way better than anything I would have calculated!! LOL
I have never been to the middle of the world, but I would love to go there 🙂 I think the indigenous culture and their dances their would be the big draw for me!
Oh, I loved that part Natalie! They were dancing for quite a while and I was just fascinated by it all.
Looks like a great place. I keep hearing good things about Ecuador, I need to visit. So many expats have relocated to Quito that there must be something to it. This looks like a fun place to spend a day or afternoon.
Yes, Quito is great. I hope you’re able to visit one day.
I only have photos of Greenwich line (London) and Arctic Circle line (Finland) so far. Haven’t got the chance to set each foot in different hemispheres although there are 2 spots closer to home in Western Sumatra and Borneo.
Anyways, I’m wondering, do they have anything (like a new line) or promote the right spot too? I guess it won’t be too much of a problem considering that it’s just 240 meters away, not like it’s located in a different town?
Both of those lines are so cool too!! And there is a small monument in the right spot, it just isn’t as grandiose.
I visited here too! Just loved Ecuador, especially the area around the ‘Middle of the World’ with the cloud forests!
Yes, it’s such a beautiful country!
I’m pretty sure I’ve been at a place that crosses the equator, too, and for the life of me I can’t remember where it is. I’ll have to go through my photos. This sounds like a fun thing to do.
I’d love to know where once you find out Carol 🙂
It’s funny that the wrong spot will forever be marked and most people will never take the time to care. It looks like a cool place to visit.
Crazy huh? lol
I visited Ecuador almost 20 years ago and we never visited the Middle of the World! I think I need to go back; I know my kids would find this fascinating.
I’m sure they would. I’d say a return visit is a must! 😉
What a fun and interesting place to visit! From your photos, the grounds look so colorful and pristine. This seems like a must-do when visiting the area, thanks for the helpful information. Hopefully I’ll make it there one of these days 🙂
I hope so too Heather! 🙂
I would love to visit the equator! Looks like a fun way to spend the day 🙂 It’s funny that the real line is not actually where the monument is, but It would still be cool to check it out regardless. I’d love to explore the city a bit too!
Hi Jenna! Yes, you can definitely spend a few hours exploring the museum and the shops, as well as climbing to the top of the monument.
This is so interesting! I would love to visit the ecuador and to head to the middle of the world!
I hope you’re able to one day!