Having a territory of 276,841 sq km, Ecuador is about the size of Colorado, USA, or about 50 % of the size of France. Compared to many other countries in South America, which is relatively small and as a result, most distances might be traveled by bus within a day's ride. Buses are inexpensive and the more up-scale services are really nice. Daily flights fly from Quito to most major cities. Many cities may be reached by plane in about 30-45 minute flights.
The mainland has three completely different regions, being the Eastern and Western lowlands, divided by the Andean highlands. Since the earth is a somewhat flattened sphere, it is wider along the equator, and there the length to the center of the planet is larger than from the poles. With 6,267 m above sea level, the Chimborazo , is further away from the midst of the earth than Mount Everest. The Andes Mountain Chain along with Galapagos National Park have a number of very active volcanoes.
Ecuador has 7 notably different climate types and one can travel relatively short distances and encounter plenty of rain along the Andes slopes while the conditions are desert dry along the south coast. Temperatures change from steamy hot in the lowlands to very cold high up . The highland plateau with almost all of the older cities is famous for its pleasant "eternal spring".
Many cultures prospered in Ecuador millenniums before they were occupied by the Incas in the late 14 hundreds. Various native dialects are are still alive, besides the Spanish language as well as the Inca language Quichua. Ingapirca is the is the main historical monument from the Incas, as the Spanish mined most buildings for construction materials. Diseases coming over with the colonizers killed tens of thousands of natives during the first decades of colonization. The "encomienda", the forced labor system of the Spanish has also been an important cause of high mortality through the colonial period.
Quito was declared the main city or "audiencia" (administrative district) of the northern Spanish colony in 1563. In 1717 it was incorporated in the Vice-royalty of New Granada, which combined the lands of what's now Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. New Granada declared independence in 1822 and took the name Gran Colombia.
In 1830 Ecuador became independent from the federation. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a number of conflicts with its neighbors and several border issues remained in dispute. In 1999 all disputes were resolved brief border war with Peru in 1995 had tripped negotiations under the beneath the mediation of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the USA. The country now has enjoyed forty years of democracy.
Ecuador's population of approximately 15 million was mainly concentrated in the mountainous central highlands as recently as a couple of decades ago, but today's human population is distributed about equally between the Andes region and the coastal lowlands. Migration toward cities has expanded the urban population to close to 60% of the total, with Guayaquil - 2,600,000 - and capital Quito - 1.8 million - being the largest cities. The Amazon region, commonly referred to as the "Oriente" (East) remains sparsely populated with only about 3% of the population.
The national economy is heavily dependent on oil , while complimented by manufacturing for the internal market, commerce and agriculture. Besides oil, bananas, shrimp, flowers, and some other minor agriculturalproducts for the export. In 2010, oil oil sales made u 56% of the export earnings. Being the world's largest exporter of the world of bananas and plantains its annual sales exceed $2 billion a year while Ecuador also is a major player on the markets of shrimp ($800 million) and cacao ($400 million) markets. Non-traditional export products are flowers ($600 million), canned fish ($600 million), and cars ($375 million).
Ecuador is rapidly developing into a world-class tourist country with famous destinations being the Galapagos Islands, the historical centers of Quito and Cuenca, and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Cajas and Cotopaxi National Parks as well as the Otavalo Indian market. As Cuyabeno can be reached in a mere hours from capital Quito, it's been quickly developing a reputation as the best Amazon destination in Latin America.
The mainland has three completely different regions, being the Eastern and Western lowlands, divided by the Andean highlands. Since the earth is a somewhat flattened sphere, it is wider along the equator, and there the length to the center of the planet is larger than from the poles. With 6,267 m above sea level, the Chimborazo , is further away from the midst of the earth than Mount Everest. The Andes Mountain Chain along with Galapagos National Park have a number of very active volcanoes.
Ecuador has 7 notably different climate types and one can travel relatively short distances and encounter plenty of rain along the Andes slopes while the conditions are desert dry along the south coast. Temperatures change from steamy hot in the lowlands to very cold high up . The highland plateau with almost all of the older cities is famous for its pleasant "eternal spring".
Many cultures prospered in Ecuador millenniums before they were occupied by the Incas in the late 14 hundreds. Various native dialects are are still alive, besides the Spanish language as well as the Inca language Quichua. Ingapirca is the is the main historical monument from the Incas, as the Spanish mined most buildings for construction materials. Diseases coming over with the colonizers killed tens of thousands of natives during the first decades of colonization. The "encomienda", the forced labor system of the Spanish has also been an important cause of high mortality through the colonial period.
Quito was declared the main city or "audiencia" (administrative district) of the northern Spanish colony in 1563. In 1717 it was incorporated in the Vice-royalty of New Granada, which combined the lands of what's now Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. New Granada declared independence in 1822 and took the name Gran Colombia.
In 1830 Ecuador became independent from the federation. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a number of conflicts with its neighbors and several border issues remained in dispute. In 1999 all disputes were resolved brief border war with Peru in 1995 had tripped negotiations under the beneath the mediation of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the USA. The country now has enjoyed forty years of democracy.
Ecuador's population of approximately 15 million was mainly concentrated in the mountainous central highlands as recently as a couple of decades ago, but today's human population is distributed about equally between the Andes region and the coastal lowlands. Migration toward cities has expanded the urban population to close to 60% of the total, with Guayaquil - 2,600,000 - and capital Quito - 1.8 million - being the largest cities. The Amazon region, commonly referred to as the "Oriente" (East) remains sparsely populated with only about 3% of the population.
The national economy is heavily dependent on oil , while complimented by manufacturing for the internal market, commerce and agriculture. Besides oil, bananas, shrimp, flowers, and some other minor agriculturalproducts for the export. In 2010, oil oil sales made u 56% of the export earnings. Being the world's largest exporter of the world of bananas and plantains its annual sales exceed $2 billion a year while Ecuador also is a major player on the markets of shrimp ($800 million) and cacao ($400 million) markets. Non-traditional export products are flowers ($600 million), canned fish ($600 million), and cars ($375 million).
Ecuador is rapidly developing into a world-class tourist country with famous destinations being the Galapagos Islands, the historical centers of Quito and Cuenca, and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Cajas and Cotopaxi National Parks as well as the Otavalo Indian market. As Cuyabeno can be reached in a mere hours from capital Quito, it's been quickly developing a reputation as the best Amazon destination in Latin America.
About the Author:
Find out why the country is, the best country to start your vacation to Latin America. Wesley Vanderhil has workedin Capital Quito for 40 years and tells you all you want to know about the country.
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