The Avenue of Volcanoes is the nickname for a famous corridor along the Panamerican highway in Ecuador. It was first called by this name in the 1800’s when the famous German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt visited Ecuador and was amazed by the numerous high volcanoes. The volcanoes, many of which are still active, are part of the Oriental and Occidental chains of the Andes mountain range. There are about 40 different volcanoes in the “avenue,” and many of them are well over 16,000 feet above sea level. Some of the most famous mountains and volcanoes in this region are Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on earth, at over 19,347 feet above sea level and Chimborazo, an inactive volcano 20,703 feet above sea level, the summit of which is the farthest point away from the center of the earth (due to the equatorial bulge). The avenue of volcanoes also includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Quito, the capital city of Ecuador and an important city for Ecuadorian culture, Cuenca, a classic colonial town with a deep history, and Sangay National Park, a national park that includes the entire spectrum of ecosystems in Ecuador. Overall, the Avenue of Volcanoes is a geographical wonder and one of the most intriguing places in Ecuador.
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