Rivers of the World

The Churute Mangrove Swamps: A cocktail of life in the Coast of Ecuador

The mangrove swamps are found from north to south in the Ecuadorian coastal region; from the province of Esmeraldas to the one of El Oro. They are areas where an extensive group of trees and woody bushes have been adapted to the harsh climate conditions; and where the fresh water of the rivers is mixed with the seawater. Looking at Ecuador’s map, you will find a little place called Naranjal, located south of the Guayas province. This place is home of Ecuador’s biggest and most important mangrove swamp, where a great variety of aquatic, amphibious and land animals live: the Churute Mangrove Swamp Ecological Reserve. Measuring almost 50,000 hectares, this reserve is a unique cocktail of life, a true wonder for all eyes to see.

To enjoy this landscape, visitors can choose among these five routes offered by the reserve:

•    The path that goes up in the Mate hill: it is a 4 hours walk. Home to a fauna of great diversity, it is a place where monkeys, birds, squirrels, invertebrates and all animals in general make up an interesting experience.

•    The path that goes up in the Pancho Diablo hill: this is also 4 hours long. It has exuberant vegetation, and it is also the howling monkey’s favorite spot.

•    The path to the viewpoint: it is usually taken together with the Pancho Diablo path, since they head to the same direction. It is only 30 meters (98ft) long, but the path makes an ascent of 80 meters (262ft) above the sea level. The highest point provides a 360° view of the astonishing mangrove swamps and their surroundings.

•    The path to the Canclón Lake: it takes 8 hours to walk it. It is the hardest path, but there, we can easily watch over 600 bird species along the way. Among these birds is found the canclón, an endangered bird species of the size of a goose, of which only 180 individuals remain in Ecuador.

•    The mangrove swamp area: this is a tour that lasts five hours made by ship, and it’s probably the most visited route, since it takes visitors closer to the amazing mangrove plants and, in some parts of the route, it even passes under trees forming tunnels. Here, visitors can observe dolphins, flamingos, herons and all the animal species of the region.

The phrase “mangrove is life” gets a new sense for those who have visited the area. In 1990, due to the devastation of almost 50% of the mangroves of the world, carried out for the past 50 years by the fishing, shrimp and lumber industries, the Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve was registered in the Ramsar International Agreement, which regulates the conservation and the rational use of the mangrove and its resources. Certainly, the Churute Reserve is an aquatic and land life sanctuary that we must preserve.

About the Author

Ecuador is a diverse and surprising destination with beautiful landscapes and an unprecedented biodiversity, making it one of the most magical places on earth. A sustainable, diverse, surprising, beautiful and unique paradise in Latin America worth knowing.

Geography and Economics of Brazil

Kingfisher Maps St. Johns River Central Waterproof Map $8.99 Kingfisher Maps St. Johns River Central Waterproof . St. Johns River Central GPS compatible with Marina listings, Lake structure, Road network and GPS points. Includes Lake George and Cresent Lake. One of Three Charts. The St. Johns River Water Management District has jurisdiction over some 12,400 square miles of area in Northern and East-central Florida, or about 21 percent of the state’s total area. Map contains demographics from Murphy’s Island down to Lake Dexter. Lake Oklawaha, Lake Kerr are also included. The St. Johns River, 310 miles in length, is the longest river in Florida. Among its many distinct characteristics, the St. Johns is one of few major rivers in the nation that flow north. The St. Johns River and its tributaries drain about one-sixth of the state of Florida, or about 8,700 square miles. The river flows from its headwaters in marshes southwest of Cape Canaveral, evolving into a series of lakes, finally maturing into a river averaging two miles in width for its fin

Henna: Amazon Temporary Tattoo $3.95 Henna Temporary Tattoo: Amazon.

Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Sacramento River (upper) Chart $7.95 Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Sacramento River (upper) Chart . Fish-n-Map Company’s Underwater Topography Fishing Maps are printed on a waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. Maps are folded to 9″ x 4″; when opened, each map is approximately 3′ x 2′ in size Most maps are printed on both sides

Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Tri Cities: Lake Wallula & Columbia River Chart $7.95 Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Tri Cities: Lake Wallula & Columbia River Chart . Fish-n-Map Company’s Underwater Topography Fishing Maps are printed on a waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. Maps are folded to 9″ x 4″; when opened, each map is approximately 3′ x 2′ in size Most maps are printed on both sides

Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Feather River / American Chart $7.95 Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Feather River / American Chart . Fish-n-Map Company’s Underwater Topography Fishing Maps are printed on a waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. Maps are folded to 9″ x 4″; when opened, each map is approximately 3′ x 2′ in size Most maps are printed on both sides

Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Lower Colorado River Chart $7.95 Fish N Map Western U.s. Fishing Maps Lower Colorado River Chart . Fish-n-Map Company’s Underwater Topography Fishing Maps are printed on a waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. Maps are folded to 9″ x 4″; when opened, each map is approximately 3′ x 2′ in size Most maps are printed on both sides

Fishing Hot Spots Detroit River, Mi, Fishing Chart $10.99 Fishing Hot Spots Detroit River, Mi, Chart . The Detroit River is a surprisingly excellent fishery within a large, urban area. Large numbers of trophy walleye and many white bass are caught regularly. This map covers 32 river miles. Featured Species: Walleye, White Bass and Yellow Perch Map Features Lake Profile Fishery Information Fishing Tips and Techniques GPS Information 20 Accesses with Driving Directions 32 Proven Fishing Areas Marked

Fine Edge Cruising The Virgin Islands Folded Planning Map $12.95 Fine Edge Cruising The Virgin Islands Folded Planning Map . The Virgin Islands are one of the most popular cruising destinations in the world. The islands have a selection of harbors and quiet coves for relaxing or just stepping off the boat into a aqua blue wonderland to snorkel from your boat. Use this map to plan your trip and for reference when in the islands. Routes between the most popular island destinations are shown along with GPS waypoints. The back of the map includes aerial photos of the most popular harbors, coves and islands are show along with navigation guidance as an overlay. All GPS waypoints are listed along with their Lat/Long for use with a GPS. The map is a perfect compliment to the best selling Cruising the Virgin Islands cruising guide to plan your next trip to the islands.The two-sided map is 38″ wide by 17.5″ high and folds to 4.25″ wide by 10″ high and is printed on waterproof paper for convenient use on the boat, a kayak or carrying in a backpack. The front

Home Port Charts Fishing & Diving Charts #51, St. Lucie River $23.99 Home Port Charts Fishing & Diving #51, St. Lucie River . Home Port Charts offer the most comprehensive fishing and diving charts available. Covering the East Coast from New York to North Carolina and Central Florida to the Keys and Bahamas, Home Port Charts show you more information than any chartplotter can. Easy to read and understand, the laminated, colorful Home Port Charts map out everything from shoals and danger zones to bridges, depth contours, channels, underwater canyons and fishing areas. Home Port Charts descriptively map out oceans, rivers, bay and intracoastal waterways (ICW). Offshore charts display bottom structure and productive deep water fishing areas. All charts are two-sided.

Home Port Charts Fishing & Diving Charts #46, Loxahatchee River $23.99 Home Port Charts Fishing & Diving #46, Loxahatchee River . Home Port Charts offer the most comprehensive fishing and diving charts available. Covering the East Coast from New York to North Carolina and Central Florida to the Keys and Bahamas, Home Port Charts show you more information than any chartplotter can. Easy to read and understand, the laminated, colorful Home Port Charts map out everything from shoals and danger zones to bridges, depth contours, channels, underwater canyons and fishing areas. Home Port Charts descriptively map out oceans, rivers, bay and intracoastal waterways (ICW). Offshore charts display bottom structure and productive deep water fishing areas. All charts are two-sided.