Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, Monument in San Antonio de Pichincha, Ecuador
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a monument and park complex in San Antonio de Pichincha, Ecuador, that marks the equator line and features a tall obelisk as its centerpiece. The tower is crowned with a golden sphere at the top and stands in a spacious compound with paved walkways and low buildings surrounding the central marker.
A French scientific expedition came here in the 18th century to measure the shape of Earth and determine the exact position of the equator. The current monument was built in the 1970s to honor that scientific achievement and permanently mark the location.
The name translates as "Middle of the World," and around the central marker you find open plazas where visitors stop to take photos with one foot in each hemisphere. The surrounding area includes craft stalls run by local artisans selling woven textiles and carved wood figures that reflect Andean motifs.
The site is located about 30 minutes outside Quito and is easily accessible by regular public buses. The pathways are flat and suitable for wheelchairs, and most areas are covered or offer shade, which helps during strong sun exposure.
Modern GPS measurements have shown that the actual equator line runs about 240 meters (787 feet) north of the monument. Visitors often notice that water drains straight down without spinning in a sink placed directly on the marked line, while just a few steps north or south it swirls in opposite directions.
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