A White-throated Toucan surveys the surrounds in Ecuador's Amazon jungle

Perched on the equator and nestled in the northwest corner of South America between Colombia and Peru, tropical Ecuador packs an astounding array of natural riches into its meagre landmass.

Ecuador has a wider range of mammals and amphibians per square kilometre than any other country on the planet and its Amazon jungle and Galapagos Islands in particular are teeming with unique species. Ecuador is home to an astonishing 10% of the world's plants, 1,600 types of birds and 600 species of fish, although widespread deforestation threatens this biodiversity.

The stark Andes mountains run along Ecuador's spine and active volcanoes dot the country. Like neighbouring Peru, Ecuador is also speckled with Inca ruins, the most impressive being at Ingapirca, 50km north of Cuenca.

The isolated Galapagos Islands are an extraordinary showcase of Ecuador's biodiversity and the main draw for many visitors to Ecuador. Floating in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000km west of the mainland, this collection of barren, rocky islands inspired Charles Darwin in his groundbreaking work The Origin of Species. About half of the species found in the Galapagos archipelago are found nowhere else in the world and various boat tours allow visitors to observe sea lions, manta rays, frigate birds and the array of wildlife that thrives here.

Many visitors to Ecuador also enjoy beach-bumming at one of the coastal resorts or make a point of exploring the lower basin of the Amazon rainforest where remote indigenous tribes still reside. Alternatively, you could take in Ecuador's scenery through the window of a train as it winds its way through the Andes.

Evidence of Spanish colonialism is most apparent in Ecuador's capital, Quito, where its old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Even more spectacular is Cuenca, a colonial city to the south with cobbled streets and elegant 16th century buildings.

Ecuador's climate varies with the terrain. In the Andes you could to be rugged up in woolens, while in the lower jungle and coastal regions you should plan for warm, humid conditions as well as a lot of rainfall. The best time to visit mainland Ecuador is between May and December, while the Galapagos experiences the best weather between January to April.

The currency is the US dollar.