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Equatorial Monument and Museum (January 2008)

There are two equators in Ecuador. The first is the Equator Monument, which was built by French scientists in 1938. They did not have the benefit of GPS, so they missed the center of the earth (0 latitude and 0 longitude) by less than 100 meters. Today, it is indisputable that the Equatorial Museum is the true center of the earth, which has been proven with modern GPS instruments. With several tests, such as the water twirling test and egg balancing test, my guide proved that it is there that the world’s centrifugal forces come together. Both were fascinating scientific displays making a trip there interesting and worthwhile.
Equatorial Monument and Museum cover page.
Equatorial Monument and Museum cover page.		 Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.
Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.		 The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories.
The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories.		 The location was wrong, because, without GPS, they missed the center point on earth.
The location was wrong, because, without GPS, they missed the center point on earth.
Entrance to the Equatorial Museum with an Indian statue in the background.
Entrance to the Equatorial Museum with an Indian statue in the background.		 Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people.
Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people.		 Statue of statue of (an aroused) Indian warrior the Equatorial Museum.
Statue of statue of (an aroused) Indian warrior the Equatorial Museum.		 Another Indian warrior at the museum.
Another Indian warrior at the museum.
A sign stating that Ecuador is an Amazonian country.
A sign stating that Ecuador is an Amazonian country.		 An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum.
An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum.		 Sign displaying the steps of Izaniza, which is the ritual for shrinking heads.
Sign displaying the steps of Izaniza, which is the ritual for shrinking heads.		 A traditional house of mud, clay and straw, which is more earthquake proof because the materials are flexible.
A traditional house of mud, clay and straw, which is more earthquake proof because the materials are flexible.
Interior of the traditional Ecuadorian house.
Interior of the traditional Ecuadorian house.		 My guide said that guinea pigs were used to predict earthquakes since they sense them and squeak before they occur.
My guide said that guinea pigs were used to predict earthquakes since they sense them and squeak before they occur.		 Picture of Rita Caiza who lived in the traditional Ecuadorian house. It is claimed that she lived to the age of 115.
Picture of Rita Caiza who lived in the traditional Ecuadorian house. It is claimed that she lived to the age of 115.		 Interior of another traditional house at the Equatorial Museum where a family of 12 lived.
Interior of another traditional house at the Equatorial Museum where a family of 12 lived.
This is a tomb of the indigenous Quicha people.
This is a tomb of the indigenous Quicha people.		 People were buried in a fetal position in pots like this.
People were buried in a fetal position in pots like this.		 A happy-looking face at the Equatorial Museum.
A happy-looking face at the Equatorial Museum.		 A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum.
A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum.
An astrological-looking monument.
An astrological-looking monument.		 Totem pole where the eagle's beak points to the Cayambe Volcano located in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Totem pole where the eagle's beak points to the Cayambe Volcano located in the Ecuadorian Andes.		 Another totem pole of the on display at the Equatorial Museum.
Another totem pole of the on display at the Equatorial Museum.		 Close-up of the lower portion of the totem pole.
Close-up of the lower portion of the totem pole.
A carved wooden sculpture representing the Tolteca culture who were inhabitants of this area in 9,000 BC.
A carved wooden sculpture representing the Tolteca culture who were inhabitants of this area in 9,000 BC.		 Close-up of the sculpture.
Close-up of the sculpture.		 I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum.
I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum.		 First demonstration at 0 latitude and 0 longitude - when water is poured into a sink, it goes straight down without spinning.
First demonstration at 0 latitude and 0 longitude - when water is poured into a sink, it goes straight down without spinning.
2nd demonstration at 0 latitude and 0 longitude - it is easier to balance an egg on the head of a nail. That's me, by the way.
2nd demonstration at 0 latitude and 0 longitude - it is easier to balance an egg on the head of a nail. That's me, by the way.		 After I read this, I ordered an extra dessert after lunch!
After I read this, I ordered an extra dessert after lunch!

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Raven Holder 01-Apr-2009 13:06
What was the name of Equatrorial Guinea's Monument?
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