Introduction to the old monument: The old monument is located in the town of San Antonio, 24 kilometers north of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has an altitude of 2,483 meters. This equatorial monument is about 10 meters high and made of black granite. The body of the monument is square, with four striking English letters E, S, W, and N engraved around it, representing the four directions of east, south, west, and north respectively. There is a Spanish inscription engraved on the monument to commemorate the French and Ecuadorian scientists who contributed to the measurement of the equator and the construction of the monument. The words "This is the center of the earth" are engraved on the lower end. On the top of the monument is a large stone globe, placed with the Antarctic facing south and the North Pole facing north. In the middle of the globe, a very clear white line is engraved from east to west, representing the equatorial line, which extends to the stone steps at the bottom of the monument. Ecuadorians call this monument "Half of the World". Every year on March 31st and September 23rd, Ecuadorians always hold grand activities to welcome the sun god here to thank the sun for bringing warmth and light to mankind.

Leave a Reply