Ecuador's most famous calling cards are the Galapagos, well called Las Islas Encantadas, the Bewitched Islands. But before or after spending some effervescent time with its nowhere-else-on-earth creatures on a cruise, a visit to Ecuador's mainland offers grand sceneries-- classic snowcapped volcanoes dotting wondrously green highlands--and a rewarding look at the country's resurgent Andean culture.

• TOTAL AREA: 283,560 sq km

• LAND AREA: 276,840 sq km

• WATER AREA: 6,720 sq km

• POPULATION: 13,547,510

• RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

• LANGUAGES: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

• CAPITAL CITY: Quito

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: US dollar (USD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC -5