A natural region is a basic geographic unit used to define areas based on common natural characteristics. The document discusses four main natural regions in Ecuador: the Galapagos Archipelago located 970 km off the coast, known for its unique wildlife; the mountainous highlands between the coast and jungles, containing volcanoes, forests, and paramo; the coastal lowlands along the Pacific coast formed by five densely populated provinces; and the eastern Amazon jungle, one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth containing many rare plants.