The True Equator

 A few hundred meters north of the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Spanish: Middle of the World City) is the true equator. 

 

 

The true equator measured about 15 years ago by GPS making it the true equator called Intiñan Solar Museum (www.museointinan.com.ec).

 

 

 

Great shops with hand crafted items to buy!

 

 

200m northeast of the Ethnographic Museum Monument is a local private attraction, known as the Intiñan Solar Museum; it was built to mark the true Equator. Tour guides and visitors demonstrate tricks which are supposedly possible only on the Equator, such as water flowing both counter-clockwise and clockwise down a drain due to Coriolis Effect, balancing eggs on end, or weakening of muscles due to latitude.

 


When going there, it is not necessary to go through the Monumental Equator Park, be sure to walk north up the street and turn in at the sign. The $4 gets you in and a guide. I got my own English speaking guide; one on one and she was great, as well as kind enough to take many photos of me.


 

I tried to walk the line, but it was not possible on the equator.

 






I was able to balance the egg!
 





















The true equator is within line of sight of the Monumental Equator Park.
 

Mitad del Mundo the Equator North of Quito Ecuador

This is a bit touristy but well worth the trip. You can take a tour from Quito for $25, but it only cost 40 cents to ride the local buses, and it is easy to do. It now cost $3 to get into the park. $3 to go into the monument museo the bonus to going in there is you get to go all the way to the top (3 floors) just under the world. Be sure to get your passport stamped (it is free), postcards are only 25 cents but the postage to mail them to the states is $2.50 each. Wi-Fi is available at all the restaurants; I got to Skype my grandchildren back home from the equator with the monument in the background, so cool.