About Ecuador
Geography
Ecuador is a very multifaceted country, home to contrasting natural areas which allow the visitor to experience various climates, diverse ethnic groups, and one of the best concentrations of plant and animal species in the world. Ecuador is home to one of earth's biological "hot spots," where the Andes descend into the upper Amazon basin.
Ecuador is located in the Northwest part of South America with a coastline on the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia (to the north) and Perú (to the south). The mainland area of Ecuador is approximately 103,886 square miles. (In comparison Washington State is roughly 86,400 square miles.) The famous Galapagos Islands also belong to the country of Ecuador and account for 3204 square miles in addition to the mainland. These islands are a protected habitat and every visitor must obtain a National Park entrance permit to spend time there.
The majestic volcanoes of the northern Andes bisect Ecuador as they run north/south. Like an enormous spine, the Andes divide Ecuador's coast from the jungles of Amazonia, and allow for three major geographical areas to exist: Coast, Sierra, and Jungle. The tropical coastline and the Galapagos Islands invite the visitor to enjoy rich endemic flora and fauna, seasonal whale watching, SCUBA diving, sailing, surfing, national park reserves and more. On the Galapagos Island archipelago, animal species unique from all others in the world served as the basis for Darwin's "Theory of the Evolution of Species."
The active volcanoes and high peaks of the Ecuadorean Andes are accessible for day-hikes. Some involve overnight technical climbs which can take hours. They range in size; Chimborazo, one of South America's highest mountains, reaches an altitude of about 20,600.' Cotopaxi, which is a cone-shaped volcano and can be seen from Quito, reaches about 19,000.' Tungurahua, near the subtropical town of Baños, has been actively erupting and the lava flow can be seen at night. The foothills in between the various big peaks are accessible to hike, climb, and explore for a day or a week at a time.
Single families are scattered across the vast Andean highlands. Clusters of families form villages, and closer to the Panamerican Highway small towns and large cities have grown over the years to provide welcoming communities for tourism.
To the east of the Andean cordillera the lush tropical forest of the Amazon basin presents a multitude of ecosystems. Jaguar EcoTours is most familiar with the tropical forests which exist in the easternmost areas of Ecuador. Here beneath the canopy of trees and alongside rivers live native people. The Ecuadorean Amazon is home to several indigenous cultures, one of which is now extinct: The Jivaro. The largest nationalities of the Amazon are the Quichas of the Oriente, who can be found in the provinces of Napo and Pastaza. There are approximately 60,000 such inhabitants in all. Their language has the same origins as the Quichua of the Sierra, but they have different customs and ways of life. The Shuar and Achuar are also present in the provinces of Morona-Santiago and Pastaza. These groups account for some 40,000 natives. The Siona-Secoya are located in Sucumbíos. The Huaorani, who live between Orellana and Pastaza, prefer not to interact with tourists. To visit them, it is necessary to first contact the Huaorani Indigenous Organization, ONHAE. The Cofán live in Sucumbios and have some villages within the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Another group is the Zaparo, in the Napo province.
Climate
Due to geographic differences in altitude, longitude and latitude, and the climatic effects of the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon, and the Andes, the various regions and sub regions of Ecuador have very different climates and microclimates. The Pacific coast has a rainy season between December and May and a dry one from June to November. The temperature oscillates between 23 and 26 degrees centigrade. The Highlands, on the other hand, has a rainy, cold climate from November to April and a dry one from May to October. The temperature here is between 13 and 18 degrees centigrade. In the Amazon, the climate is rainy and humid between January and September, with temperatures between 23 and 36 degrees centigrade, and it is dry between October and December. The Galápagos have a temperate climate with temperatures ranging between 22 and 32 degrees centigrade.
Government
The government of Ecuador is civil and democratic. The three branches, Judicial, Legislative and Executive, form the overall structure. Presidents are elected by voters who are required to cast a ballot. Terms of presidential leadership have been inconsistent in modern times due to corruption and civil unrest.
Economy
Ecuador is a center of production throughout the year due to diverse climates and provinces. Because of the extensively varied landscape, there is a constant supply of wide-ranging vegetables, fruits, meats and fish products. Under traditional indigenous recipes and by influence of colonial peoples, creativity with food has resulted in local dishes throughout the land.
Ecuador produces the following products for export:
- Bananas
- Prawns
- Tuna (canned and fresh)
- Cocoa (processed and whole beans)
- Flowers (raised in large greenhouses and exported to Europe and the United States)
- Crude Oil (Good for the government, BAD for the Amazon tribes)
- Handicrafts and Artwork: Ecuadorian artisans produce a wide variety of products. The famous "panama hat" is actually a hand-woven item produced in Ecuador. Ponchos, sweaters, natural fibers, wood carvings, ceramics, weavings, etc, have helped form the culture of Ecuador. Traditional craftwork can be seen in every town, in every village, and along every road. There are over 500,000 mills, workshops, studios, and factories that create articles for export and local market sales.
Unfortunately the regulated minimum wage in Ecuador is about $25 US/month. This is not an enforced regulation. Many people live day-to-day and do not go to a "regular" job. There is a very large informal sector of the economy. Street vendors are everywhere, and it is legal to run a small business out of one's house or farm. This creates a very competitive market for low prices and allows everyone a chance to find a way to make money. It also enables each citizen and traveler alike to obtain goods rather inexpensively. Imported goods are most expensive, but local goods in abundance such as bananas are extremely inexpensive.
Petroleum has been the main source of foreign currency to the country for the past 25 years. Oil exploration began in Ecuador on the Santa Elena Peninsula in the first quarter of the 20th century. However, it was not until the seventies when exploration was begun in the Amazon region, turning Ecuador into one of the world's most important exporters of this natural resource. 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 Guayaquíl. Tourism is Ecuador's fourth most important export in terms of income.
There are also non-traditional export products, such as certain fruits and vegetables, which are slowly gaining a foothold in the international market. Currently, Ecuadorian legislation is being drafted to encourage the development of industry by means of the Ley de Fomento Industrial. The main purpose of the Law is to encourage international investment in Ecuador. In addition to large industries such as timber and textile, the Ecuadorian economy is also powered by small industries such as the production of handicrafts, a group of products which Ecuador produces in abundance, suiting the needs of consumers worldwide.
History
Introduction
The first phase of Ecuador's history began somewhere between 20,000 and 15,000 BC with the rise of indigenous societies in what is now Ecuador. These peoples had developed social organizations with their own beliefs, rites, and ceremonies and an economy based primarily on hunting, gathering, and agriculture. Traces of their existence can be found in archaeological sites located all across Ecuador. This era, which can be divided into four periods (Paleo-Indian or Pre-ceramic, Formative, Regional Development, Integration, and Incan), lasted until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors in the XVI century.
Organization of the Incas (1000 AD)
The Central highlands of the Andes was the seat of the Inca empire. It stretched from the south of Colombia to the north of Chile, over an area of more than four thousand square kilometers, across a land known as Tahuantinsuyo. The Incas were thus made up of a vast population of dozens of different ethnic groups with their own languages, customs and economies based on cultivation of the land. In Ecuador, these people spread out along the Andes, occupying some coastal regions and exercising a significant influence on Quito.
Arrival of the Spanish and the end of Tahuantinsuyo (1532)
In 1532 the downfall of Tahuantinsuyo began with the imprisonment of Atahualpa. Heavy fighting took place between the Europeans and the Incas, who resisted the conquest. For the Spanish, America represented a land full of riches, taken in the name of the Crown. Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro were the main protagonist of the time and conquered the native people in a bloody manner. The Europeans used a variety of strategies, among which was indoctrination and the use of rival Indian chiefs.
The Audiencia of Quito in the Colony
The Real Audiencia de Quito was established in 1563, as an administrative area dependent on the Spanish Crown. It covered the area to the north as far as Pasto, Popayán, Cali, Buenaventura and Buga, currently in Colombia, and to Piura, in Peru, to the south. Its first President was the Spaniard Hernando de Santillán. From its beginning until the XVIII century, the Audiencia de Quito was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was then under orders of the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada, which had its seat in Santa Fe, until, after the latter was suspended, it again became a dependency of the Viceroyalty of Peru. However, later, King Felipe V decided to return it to la Nueva Granada, after this Viceroyalty was reestablished. Judicially and socially,la Audiencia de Quito had to follow the Viceroyalty of which it was part.
Political and administrative situation at the end of the XVIII century
Lack of confidence was part of colonial life due to the ambiguous situation in which the Audiencia de Quito existed. The Marquis of Selva Alegre (1753) centralized the state and established a monopoly on alcohol and tobacco. For this reason the famous Rebellion of the Estancos took place to which other native uprisings were added. Administrative reorganizations were made which allowed greater income for the state. At the end of the XVIII century Luis Francisco Héctor, Baron of Carondelet, occupied the Presidency. He gained more power for Quito such as control of the Superintendant of the Real Hacienda and the creation of a Capitanía (Captaincy) General.
Rupture with the Colony and Independence
Social decadence sped up in the second half of the XVIII century. Historians attribute various factors to the fall of the colonial system. One of them, the end of production of silver in Potosi. Textile making decreased significantly. The power of the private elite was also limited by reforms which were introduced. Independence came about between the end of the XVIII century and the early decades of the XIX century. This was caused by a number of factors, external and internal. One of them being the influence of the French Revolution in the region.
Gran Colombia
After Independence, the three most important cities, Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, were incorporated into Gran Colombia in 1822, at different times. Bolívar assumed the Presidency of this new nation made up, in addition, of Venezuela and Nueva Granada. With the aim of administrative organization the territory was divided into the departments of Venezuela, Cundinamarca and Quito. But the integration of these peoples aroused resistance and problems due to personal interests and ambitions throughout the process, which contributed to its disintegration.
Formation of the Republican State
After the collapse of Gran Colombia, the Republic of Ecuador was created in 1830. Since then political conflict has characterized life in the Republic. The new State was unable to integrate the different regions. The mountain region and the coast developed in different ways. Also, autonomous local bodies formed which entered into conflict with the state and which, in addition, administered their own resources. Neither was there a unified currency, which seriously affected the existence of a central power.
Population
Approximately 12 million people live within the political boundaries of Ecuador. Of these 12 million residents, 61% live in urban areas, and 39% reside in the "campesino" and less developed areas. The two largest cities in Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil, are home to about half of the total population. Quito, the Capital, located in the highlands at an altitude of 9300' and Guayaquil, a large port city on the coast each have about 3 million people.
Languages and Culture
The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, but the native language Quichua is spoken by a large amount of indigenous communities. These two principal languages, combined with several other native languages, make Ecuador a multi-lingual country. A large percentage of the native people speak solely their own language. It is not uncommon to meet Quichua women vendors in towns like Otavalo, where they only use Quichua to communicate. Some native people refuse to speak Spanish, the language of the colonists, but most Ecuadoreans understand Spanish. Throughout the country, accents differ and languages change. Cofan people have an overwhelming pride in their language, and most women will not speak a word of Spanish. It's left to the men of the tribe to communicate the colonists' language with outsiders.
A major aspect of Indian identity in Ecuador is dress. People familiar with native dress can often tell roughly where an Indian is from based on what they wear. Many Otavaleños still wear their traditional dress. For men, this consists of a blue poncho, fedoras, white calf-length knickers, and a shimba, a long braid that hangs down nearly to the waist. This tradition probably dates back to pre-Inca times, and is an established and deeply rooted tradition. In fact, this tradition is very important as a symbol of Indigenous ethnic identity. When Indigenous men serve in the Ecuadorian army, they are not required to cut it off. (Meisch, 1987, p. 108). In addition, a fedora, or felt hat, is almost always worn by men of the Otavalo area.
The women's dress is the closest to Inca costume worn anywhere in the Andes. (Meisch, 1987, p. 10). Women are dressed in white blouses, blue skirts and shawls. Jewelry is also an important addition to the Otavaleña's outfit. She most commonly wears layers of necklaces of predominantly gold beads around her neck, and red coral bracelets at the wrists. For the Otavaleño, dress is connected to their Indian identity and is a way to outwardly express their ethnicity.
In Ecuador, many Indians still speak their native languages, another strong piece of evidence of their ability to hold on to traditional cultural values and practices despite years of oppression from colonization.
Meisch, L. (1987). Otavalo: Weaving, Costume, and the Market. Quito: Imprenta Mariscal.
Currency
In the past, Ecuador had its own currency: the Sucre. Only a few years ago did the US Dollar become the official currency of Ecuador. Travelers need not exchange money to travel there, but beware that small change can be difficult to come by. It is recommended that travelers have several denominations available or expect to pay higher prices.
