Mitad del Mundo Ethnographic Museum

One approaches the 30-metre monument of the Equator along a cobble stoned path, lined with the busts of the 1736 expedition members. This centrepiece straddles the Equator itself. From it a painted line extends, marking the Equator for all to see. At 0-0’-0” latitude, one can stand astride the equatorial line, one foot in the northern hemisphere, the other in the southern.
Inside the trapezoidal monolith lies the Ethnographic museum, dedicated to the different ethnic groups that inhabit Ecuador. Each nationality is shown in their typical dress with descriptions of their daily lives. The nine levels of the monument create a path representing the most important communities in the country. There is also an exhibit showing the varied resources the country’s four diverse regions provide. Ascend to the top of the middle of the earth, touch the globe and take in the stunning landscape of the surrounding countryside.
At the middle of the world complex there’s a wide variety of restaurants and cafés serving traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, as well shops selling local crafts.