About Ecuador
Contents
Introduction
Ecuador is situated in the northwest of South America. Bordering with Colombia
and Perú, it owes its name to the imaginary line that, crossing the country,
divides the Earth up into two hemispheres. The renown Galapagos Islands, where
Charles Darwin finished his theory of Evolution, belong to Ecuador.
The capital city is the ancient Quito, an enclave on the slope of the Pichincha
Volcano 2850 meters above sea level and one of the first towns of South America.
History
First Civilizations
Many evidences have been found proving the excistance of civilizations in Ecuadorian
territory thousands of years ago. It is presumed that these civilizations were
related to the mayan culture, which main political and economical location was
in present Mexico.
However, around the middle of the XV century, the "incas" began to
vanquish those earlier societies and by 1488 Huayna Cápac and his people
took over definitively and joined the territories of Ecuador, including Quito,
to the already vast Inca Empire. It was the incas who offered great ressistance
to the spanish domination.
Spanish domination
In 1526, under the orders of Bartolomé Ruiz, the first Spaniards went
ashore on Ecuadorian coasts. In 1533,with Sebastián Belalcázar
and Francisco Pizarro in charge, the inca chief Atahualpa and his second, Rumiñahui,
were killed and the Inca Empire defeated. A Spanish goverment was established
in Quito and the territories of Ecuador became part of the "Virreinato
del Perú", one of many colonies owned by the Spanish Crown.
Independence
The first insurrection aimed at gaining independence from Spain took place
in 1809 after almost 300 years of political and economic domination. At that
time, the first "american" government was constituted under the name
of Supreme Junta. However, it was not until 1820 that the the "rebels"
got their victory. First, the Spaniards were defeated in Guayaquil. Then, in
1822, Simón Bolívar and Antonio José de Sucre beated the
Spanish Army in the Battle of Pichincha thus putting an end to three centuries
of colonialism. Following the victory Ecuador joined the República de
la Gran Colombia which had been founded by Bolívar in 1819. However,
in 1830 the República split in autonomous territories: Venezuela, Quito
-with its own Constitution as an independent country - and Nueva Granada (Colombia).
The first civil war broke out in 1833 between the conservatives from Quito and
the liberals from Guayaquil. The confrontation was followed by a series of encounters
but the country remained as a whole.
From 1830 to the present
Ecuador's modern history has not been the exception to the rule and followed
the pattern that has caracterized all Latin American countries: democratic governments
are replaced by military governments which in due course promote democratic
elections and so on.
Ten democratic presidents have been in power since 1979. A few military and
civil revolts and bordering conflicts with Perú attempted against democracy
and peace but did not succed.
Geography
Regions
Ecuador comprises four geographical regions: the Coast, more than a fourth
of the country; the "Sierra" (the hills or highlands), made up of
two mountain chains belonging to the Andes; the "Oriente" (East)
or Amazonia to the east of the Andes; and the Galpapagos Islands, 1050 km
to the west of the Ecuadorian coast.
 |
The
Galapagos Islands are not to scale. The only purpose of the map is to
show the regions of the country. |
|
There are more than a dozen peaks higher than 4800m above sea level. The
Cotopaxi (5897m) is the highest active vulcano on Earth and it is located
in the "Valle interandino", a plateau between the two ridges that
make up the Sierra. The Chimborazo (6310 m), the highest mountain in Ecuador,
is in the western ridge.
The following texts and photographs are from www.vivecuador.com
| The
Coast |
|
The region’s climate varies from hot and dry
in the north to hot and humid in the south. Several national parks
such as Machalilla and Manglares-Churute provide endless opportunities
for eco-adventurers. More...
|
| The
Amazonia |
 |
In the eastern
part of the country, commonly known as the Amazon Basin, heavy rainfall
and high humidity are constant features. The vegetation of the Ecuadorian
Amazon is exuberant as is its fauna.
More... |
| Northern
Andes |
 |
The Ecuadorian Andes are known worldwide
for their impressive mountains, volcanoes, and snow-capped peaks, some
of the most famous of which are Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The ten Andean
provinces are also home to cities and towns of historical interest and
importance such as Quito and Cuenca and artisan centers such as Otavalo.
The area is also home to several national parks with an abundant variety
of flora and fauna. Because of the diverse geography of the area, the
Andes consists of a variety of landscapes, each one with a unique microclimate.
|
| Southern
Andes |
 |
The country’s
oldest archaeological ruins are to be found in this region. The area
is also home to several villages full of handicrafts as well as to a
variety of protected areas, national parks, and nature reserves. Cuenca,
the capital of Azuay (one of the three provinces of the Southern region)
stands out as a historical and cultural city. This part of the country
is also known for its hot springs and the traditional medicines which
are used here. The climate differs according to the altitude. However,
in general, the weather here is relatively cool. |
| Galápagos
Islands |
 |
The Galapagos Islands lie almost
a thousand kilometers off the coast of Ecuador’s mainland. Biologically
diverse, they are one of the planet’s natural paradises and one
of the most visited national parks in the world. More... |
Source: www.vivecuador.com
Weather
Although the country is in the equatorial region, its weather varies due
to the geographical diversity (jungle, mountain, coast) and to the cold current
of Humboldt in winter and the warm current El Niño in summer. The Coast
is humid with an average temperature of 26ºC throughout the year. In
the Sierra the temperature varies depending on the altitude and the time of
the day. It ranges from 21ºC in the afternoon to 7ºC at dusk. The
Amazonia is stifling, the temperature can easily reach 37,8ºC and the
year average precipitations are 2030 mm.
However, Salinas, in spite of being in the Coast, has its own weather characteristics.
It is hot and sunny in summer (from january to may) with an average temperature
of 28ºC but it is cold and cloudy in winter with an average temperature
of 21ºC.
Environment
Ecuador has one of the most high percentages of protected areas of South
America. Its wildlife reserves make up 43% of its territory. Ecuador was one
of the first countries taking part in the programme "Debt to Nature"
that allows the developing countries to change public debt into money for
planning and performing programs to protect the environment. Eco-tourism is
very popular, especially in Galápagos where the species are unique.
Oil is one of the main natural resources but its waste has badly polluted
the water.
Ecuador has signed many agreement related to biodiversity, weather changes,
wild life in danger, rainforests, and whale hunting.
Population and Administration
The main cities of Ecuador are: Quito, the capital city which is located
in the region known as the "Sierra"; and Guayaquil, the most important
harbour and center of comercial activity, located to the south and in the
Coast. An estimated two million people live in both cities. Much less populated
but not less important are the cities of Cuenca, an enclave where traditions
remain almost untouched; Ambato, Riobamba and Manta.
Ecuador is made up of 21 provinces: Azuay, Bolívar, Cañar,
Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galápagos, Guayas,
Imbabura, Loja, Los Ríos, Manabí, Morona Santiago, Napo, Pastaza,
Pichincha, Sucumbíos, Tungurahua y Zamora Chinchipe.
The official language is Spanish. Nevertheless, the aborigin population speaks
other languages like the "quechua" which was the language of the
incas.
The aborigins were converted to Catholicism after Spain gained control over
Perú and Ecuador. Today, 95% of the country's population professes
this religion.
Economy
Agriculture
The fertile lands take up less than 10% of the territory and their exploitation
is very rudimental in the Sierra and in the Coast. The main cultivations are
(in order of importance): banano, sugar cane, rice, corn, potato, coffee,
chocolate and citrus.
Exports
Petroleum has been the main source of foreign currency to the country for
the past 25 years. Other products of economic importance to the country are
bananas, coffee, cocoa, shrimp, timber, tuna, and, more recently, flowers.
Ecuador has a vast array of natural riches. It has been calculated that there
are gas reserves of 300,000 million cubic feet in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Tourism
is Ecuador’s fourth most important export in terms of income.
Visit
www.vivecuador.com -the official site of the Ministry of Tourism- for
a comprehensive guide on touring Ecuador
