Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America. It lies on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and is divides by the equator which gave Ecuador its name in the 19th Century. Ecuador borders Colombia (North), Peru (South and East), and the Pacific Ocean (West).

With its relatively small territory, Ecuador has the biggest biodiversity per area in the world. In a study by Conservation International, Ecuador is among the 17 “megadiverse” countries, such as the United States, China, Australia, Brazil and Mexico. With 9.2 species per km2, it occupies the first place in the world with regards to species per area. The richness of this country lies in its diversity, both natural and cultural. Ecuador has 4 diverse and rich regions. The Amazon Rain Forest, the Coast, the highland Andes, and Galapagos archipelago. These four regions are subdivided into 22 provinces. Besides its exuberant biodiversity, Ecuador embraces an impressive variety of ethnic groups, including some untouched communities which still preserve traditional values and cultural manifestations from ancient times.

The coast

The provinces of the coastal region are:

Guayas, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos and Manabí.

The Andes (Highland)

The highlands provinces are: Azuay, Bolívar, Cañar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Loja, Tungurahua and Pichincha.

The rainforest (Amazon)

Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Sucumbíos and Zamora-Chinchipe are provinces of the rainforest.

The Galapagos islands

The Galapagos islands (official name Archipiélago de Colón) is a group of islands in the Pacific belonging to Ecuador. In total there are 13 bigger islands (Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana , San Cristóbal, Española, Genovesa, Santa Fe, Isabela, Fernandina, Darwin, Roca Redonda, Marchena, Pinta), 8 small islands and approximately 40 "mini-islands" belonging to this national reserve. In 2001, approximatly 18,500 people lived on those islands.

The Flora and Fauna on these islands is fabulous and if you are in Ecuador it is a must to visit them.

The climate

Ecuador is located in the Tropical Zone, thus the climate throughout the country ranges from tropical equatorial rainy weather to perpetual snow on the top of the mountains due to the influence of the Andean Mountain range in the highlands. Cities in the highlands have temperatures that vary from 10 to 22 °C, while coastal cities’ temperatures vary from 15 to 28°C during the day. The jungle has constant weather conditions: rainy, humid and warm. The Galapagos Islands are always sunny and warm. Temperature drops a bit during the months of June to November.

• Quito and Highlands. Wear spring attire during June, July and August. During the rest of the months, bring warmer clothing like those you would wear during the fall. A raincoat or jacket would be useful at night since it gets pretty chilly.
• Guayaquil and other coastal cities: wear summer clothing all year round. During the rainy months, December to May, the weather is still very warm. During the months of June to November the weather is cloudy and a little bit colder.
• Galapagos: wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing. Shorts, t-shirts and summer clothing will be just fine. Don’t forget a hat and sun block as they are a must along with a bathing suit.
• Amazon or Jungle: wear clothing adequate for a rainy season. If you can get yourself a raincoat, take it with you, as well as several sets of light pants and long sleeves shirts. Shorts are less useful because of the insects and abundant vegetation you will walk through on your excursions. Rubber boots and insect repellents are necessary to take along with a hat. If you plan to take pictures, you will need high speed film.

Health risks

No innoculations are required for entry. However, it is recommended to get vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and there is a minor risk of cholera and rabies. It is strongly recommended to get a yellow fever vaccination if you plan to visit the rainforest during rainy season. Please consult your doctor for further informaition.

HistoryOrigin of the Ecuadorian people.

According to different scientists and historians, large groups of people from Asia crossed the Bering Strait, eventually reaching the South American continent and settling down. Archaeological evidence found in the small village of Punin (South of Riobamba) shows that this settlement period lasted several hundred years.

ECUADORIAN PREHISTORY.

The Ecuadorian prehistory can de divided as following:

PRE-CERAMIC (approximately 9000 years B.C.)

Evidence from this period was found in 1959 in and around Inga.

FORMATIVE (3000 to 1500 years B.C.)

The most representative culture of this period was the “Valdivia”. This tribe is very well known for its ceramic works, specially small female figurines depicting their goddesses or events of daily life.

MIDDLE FORMATIVE (2000 - 1300 years B.C.)

During the latter part of the “Valdivia” culture new cultures appeared. The most important, “Machalilla”, was more advanced than the Valdivia.

LATER FORMATIVE (1500-500 B.C.)

The only culture discovered from this period is the “Chorrera”. This culture experimented with a different way of painting using honey to create new textures and colours. This tribal group is known for their fine ceramics, very similar to porcelain.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT (500 years B.C.)

The tribes that lived during this period of time were farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen. These societies had very marked social divisions with the priests acting as the rulers. This tribe constructed temples of polished and caved stones.

INTEGRATION CULTURES ( 200 B.C. and A.D.)

The tribes during this time are viewed as independent nations, each one having its own government. Eventually, they formed an alliance known as the Reino de Quito. This federation occurred when it became necessary for them to fight against the Inca invaders.

THE QUITUS KINGDOM

Quito was used by the first Spaniards, who took this name from the Indians. Quito not only applied to a single place, but also to a region and later to the territory known as Real Audiencia de Quito during the colonial time. The name of this Spanish colonial territory was changed to Ecuador when the Republic was formed.
The Quitus Kingdom lasted from about 980 to 1450 years A.C and was one of the largest and most developed nations of this area.

THE INCA EMPIRE

The Inca Tupac-Yupanqui was in charge of the conquest from Cuzco, He founded Tomebamba in Cañari territory. There he built palaces and temples like: Pumapungo, Ingapirca, and Tambo Blanco. During this time he fathered a son, Huayna Capac, by a Cañari Princess. Tupac-Yupanqui returned to Cuzco where he died and his son became the new Inca King.
Huayna-Capac continued the invasion. In Quito he knew Paccha with who had a son Atahualpa, who was his favourite son and the last Inca. The Inca Empire, divided by political and racial hatred became weaker, and even when Atahualpa defeated Huáscar; it was not possible to unify the Kingdom again. Due to these circumstances, it was easy for Spaniards to conquer the great Tahuantinsuyo.

THE SPANISH CONQUEST

Francisco Pizarro arrived in the Incan Empire in September 1532 on an exploratory mission. Pizarro arranged a meeting with Atahualpa. It was held in Cajamarca (Perú) on November 1532. Once Atahualpa and his retinue were at the meeting place, the Spanish Conquistadors massacred most of Atahualpa’s people and captured him. Atahualpa was condemned and executed on August 29, 1533.
One of Atahualpa’s generals, Rumiñahui, continued fighting against the traitors for about two more years. Finally , Pizarro’s lieutenant Sebastian de Benalcázar defeated Rumiñahui “Face of stone” in late 1534.

THE COLONIAL ERA

The colonial period lasted 274 years from 1533 to August 10 of 1809. During this time Ecuador remained a peaceful colony. The Spanish founded several villages that were named for Spanish regions or cities.

INDEPENDENCE

The living conditions generated great discontent among them. The cruelty and abuse of the rich colonialists were reasons enough for several uprising during the Colonial Period.
The first serious attempt was made on August 10, 1809 in Quito, by a group of patriots formed by well-known lawyers and writers. The preceding night, they resolved to replace the tyrannical Spanish authorities with a patriotic group called the Sovereign Board led by the Marquis of Selva Alegre and Juan Pío Montúfar.

THE REPUBLIC

The same day that Ecuador made its separation from Gran Colombia the main civil, military and religious authorities met together and declared Ecuador a sovereign independent nation. General Juan José Flores was in charge of the government.

On August 10, 1830, General Flores convened the Congress that created the first Ecuadorian Constitution. In this legal document Quito was declared capital of the new republic. The Constitution promulgated laws in favour of democracy and elections.