The Compass: Ecuador

Blanketed by lush tropical forests and home to one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

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Ecuador

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DISTEL, GETTY IMAGES

Blanketed by lush tropical forests and home to one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, Ecuador is a small country that packs a punch when it comes to natural beauty, biodiversity, and indigenous heritage. The Galápagos Islands, Charles Darwin's "living laboratory," are home to animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. Join us this week as we discover two new species of see-through frog, see traces of a lost society found in a "pristine" cloud forest, and visit the world’s most unusual post office. Let's explore Ecuador.

ANIMALS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAIME CULEBRAS Two new species of see-through frog named in Ecuador The amphibians, which live only 13 miles apart, look completely alike but are genetically diverse—a surprise to scientists. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK DIRECTORATE How an ‘extinct’ tortoise was rediscovered after a century The Fernandina giant tortoise disappeared more than 100 years ago. Now there is hope its population could return. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSE VIEIRA New leaf-toed geckos found living on remote volcano A major effort to identify every reptile in the Galápagos has revealed three new species—and one is likely already endangered. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEJANDRO ARTEAGA These 5 new snake species suck snails out of their shells The names of the snakes were auctioned off, and funds from the event will go toward preserving some of the species. READ MORE SHARE

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL SARTORE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Traces of lost society found in 'pristine' cloud forest Deep in Ecuador’s lush Quijos Valley, a society thrived—and then disappeared. But a lake preserved its story. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF WILDERMUTH, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE New find could help save Galápagos hammerhead sharks The sharks give birth in secluded bays that scientists worry may be exposed to fishing. READ MORE

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAIME CULEBRAS These see-through frogs are full of surprises These tiny Latin American tree dwellers are stellar fathers and masters at camouflage, recent research reveals. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS P. PESCHAK A warming planet jolts the iconic creatures of the Galápagos Species that inspired Darwin’s theory of natural selection are facing new challenges to adapt. READ MORE SHARE

TRAVEL

DREAM NOW, GO LATER

PHOTOGRAPH BY HEMIS / ALAMY Hike the Trek of the Condor in Ecuador This five-day route will take you through the Andes. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY VOLANTHEVIST, GETTY IMAGES Everything to know about Quito Ecuador's capital fuses indigenous and Spanish influences and brims with colonial treasures. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY KIKE CALVO / AP IMAGES This is the world’s most unusual post office On a remote island in the Galápagos, tourists become mail carriers. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL S. NOLAN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION Dive into the wildlife-rich waters of the Galápagos Discover the “living laboratory” that inspired the work of Charles Darwin. READ MORE SHARE

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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