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Founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Inca city and perched at an altitude of 2,850 meters, Ecuador’s capital has one of the best-preserved and largest historic centers in Latin America. Its colonial architecture, with churches, monasteries, and squares, reflects the fusion of Spanish and indigenous influences. Iconic monuments such as the Church of La Compañía de Jesús and the Convent of San Francisco stand out as exceptional examples of Andean Baroque.

The Galápagos Islands were the first naturalo site to be declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO due to their unparalleled biodiversity and their fundamental role in the development of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. This archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean, is home to numerous endemic species and serves as a living laboratory for scientific research and ecological conservation, unique in the world. The Galápagos are situated at the convergence of three ocean currents and host a great variety of marine species. Their seismic and volcanic activity illustrates the processes of their geological formation. These processes, combined with the archipelago's extreme isolation, have led to the development of a unique fauna, including species such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise, and several species of finches, whose study inspired Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection after his visit to these islands in 1835.

This park is a natural gem that combines high mountain landscapes, tropical forests, and active volcanoes such as Sangay and Tungurahua. The park is a testament to the beauty and fragility of Ecuadorian ecosystems. With its extraordinary natural beauty, the park contains a full vertical range of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to glaciers. Its landscapes offer striking contrasts between snow-capped peaks and lowland jungles. Moreover, its isolation helps protect endangered species, such as the mountain tapir and the Andean condor.

Located in the southern Andes of Ecuador, Cuenca’s historic center is an outstanding example of Spanish colonial planning in the Americas. Its cobbled streets, plazas, wooden-balconied houses, and the majestic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception form an urban environment that has preserved its cultural identity over time. Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca is nestled in a valley in the Andes mountain range, in the southern part of Ecuador. This inland colonial city, which is now the country’s third most important, was founded in 1557 in accordance with the strict urban planning regulations issued thirty years earlier by Emperor Charles V.

This is an extensive road network of about 30,000 kilometers built over several centuries by the Incas—partly utilizing pre-Inca infrastructures—to facilitate communication, transport, trade, and also for defensive purposes. This extraordinary road system spans one of the world’s most geographically contrasting regions, from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, rising over 6,000 meters above sea level, to the Pacific coast, passing through tropical rainforests, fertile valleys, and desert areas of absolute dryness. It stretches across six countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The road network reached its peak expansion in the 15th century, extending throughout the length and breadth of the Andes Mountain range. The new World Heritage site consists of 274 components and extends over 5,000 kilometers. The selected components highlight the significant social and political functions of the road network, architectural and engineering masterpieces, and related infrastructures dedicated to mercantile activities, accommodation, and storage of goods, as well as religiously significant sites.

These five sites reflect the richness and diversity of Ecuador's heritage, a legacy that must be protected for future generations.