August 10, 2017

Ecuador National Day 2017

The people of Quito, Ecuador declared independence from Spain 208 years ago today.
While the city of Quito was relatively small at the time, this declaration laid the
foundation for sovereignty for the entire country.

Today, we celebrate Ecuador National Day with a Doodle that features the awe-
inspiring Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve a national park and biodiversity hotspot
thats nearly twice the size of Rhode Island!

If you want to explore the reserve for yourself, youll need a boat: the reserves
forest is submerged in water for two-thirds of the year. This mix of lagoons,
swamps, and dry land creates an incredibly diverse ecosystem with over 500 species
of birds, 12 species of monkeys, and countless other animals. Its also just one of
45 protected areas throughout Ecuador, emphasizing the countrys commitment to
preserving nature.

In the cities of Ecuador and especially Quito the streets come alive during the
month of August, celebrating the countrys independence with with parades,
concerts, and cultural exhibitions.

Happy National Day, Ecuador!