With a territory of 276,841 sq km, Ecuador is about the size of Colorado, USA, or about half the size of France. Compared with other countries in Latin America, that's relatively small and consequently, most distances might be traveled by bus in a day's ride. Buses are inexpensive and the more up-scale services are comfortable. Daily flights can be taken from Quito to each of the major cities. Many cities can be reached by plane within 30-45 minute flights.
Continental Ecuador is split into three very distinct zones, the coastal lowlands, the Andean mountains and the eastern Amazon lowlands. Because the earth isn't perfectly round and a bit wider at the Equator, the distance from the midst of our planet is greater at the equator than at the poles. Because of this, Mount Chimborazo with 6,267 m above sea level, is further away from the midst of the Earth than Mount Everest. Volcanic activity is considerable along the Andes Mountains and on Galapagos.
There are 7 different climatic regions in Ecuador, which vary from very humid along the outer Andes mountains to very dry in the south, while temperatures vary from rather hot in the lowlands to cold in the higher elevations. The Central Andes are known for their comfortable spring-like climate.
Advanced indigenous cultures flourished in Ecuador many centuries before the area was conquered by the Incas in the late 15th century whilst still about a dozen languages are spoken in addition to the official Spanish language as well as the widely spoken Inca dialect, Quichua.
In 1563, Ecuador's capital Quito had become the seat or "audiencia" (administrative district) of the new colony and in 1717 of the Vice-royalty of New Granada when it was created, which included the territories of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. New Granada became independent in 1822 taking Gran Colombia as its new name.
Ecuador separated from the Federation in 1830. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador had several border wars with its neighbors, each time losing more territory, while several areas along the borders remained in dispute. Permanent borders were agreed in 1999 following a war with Peru in 1995. That conflict had trigger a round of peace talks headed by Brazil and aided by Argentina, Chile as well as the USA. Ecuador has been a democracy in the past 4 decades.
Ecuador has a population of about 15 million inhabitants that was concentrated in the central Andes until a couple of decades ago. Currently, the population is distrubuted about equally among the Andes and the coast. Much of the population has gone to the cities which now occupy about 60% of the inhabitants, with Guayaquil - 2,600,000 - and Quito - 1.8 million - being the major metropoles. But in the Amazon region, the "Oriente" (East) the populace remains very low at (3%).
The Ecuadorian economy is mostlybased on petroleum export, manufacturing, primarily for the domestic market, commerce, and agriculture production both for domestic consumption and export. Principal exports are oil, bananas, shrimp, flowers, as well as other primary agricultural products. In 2010, crude and refined oil products accounted for 56% of the total export earnings. Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of bananas and plantains (about $2 billion) plus a major exporter of shrimp ($800 million) and cacao ($400 million). Exports of non-traditional products such as flowers ($600 million), canned fish ($600 million), and cars ($375 million).
Particularly over the last two decades, Ecuador has become a prime travel destination with highlights including Galapagos, the old city of Quito, colonial Cuenca, Protected AreaCuyabeno, Cajas National Park, Cotopaxi National Park and the Otavalo indigenous art market
Continental Ecuador is split into three very distinct zones, the coastal lowlands, the Andean mountains and the eastern Amazon lowlands. Because the earth isn't perfectly round and a bit wider at the Equator, the distance from the midst of our planet is greater at the equator than at the poles. Because of this, Mount Chimborazo with 6,267 m above sea level, is further away from the midst of the Earth than Mount Everest. Volcanic activity is considerable along the Andes Mountains and on Galapagos.
There are 7 different climatic regions in Ecuador, which vary from very humid along the outer Andes mountains to very dry in the south, while temperatures vary from rather hot in the lowlands to cold in the higher elevations. The Central Andes are known for their comfortable spring-like climate.
Advanced indigenous cultures flourished in Ecuador many centuries before the area was conquered by the Incas in the late 15th century whilst still about a dozen languages are spoken in addition to the official Spanish language as well as the widely spoken Inca dialect, Quichua.
In 1563, Ecuador's capital Quito had become the seat or "audiencia" (administrative district) of the new colony and in 1717 of the Vice-royalty of New Granada when it was created, which included the territories of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. New Granada became independent in 1822 taking Gran Colombia as its new name.
Ecuador separated from the Federation in 1830. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador had several border wars with its neighbors, each time losing more territory, while several areas along the borders remained in dispute. Permanent borders were agreed in 1999 following a war with Peru in 1995. That conflict had trigger a round of peace talks headed by Brazil and aided by Argentina, Chile as well as the USA. Ecuador has been a democracy in the past 4 decades.
Ecuador has a population of about 15 million inhabitants that was concentrated in the central Andes until a couple of decades ago. Currently, the population is distrubuted about equally among the Andes and the coast. Much of the population has gone to the cities which now occupy about 60% of the inhabitants, with Guayaquil - 2,600,000 - and Quito - 1.8 million - being the major metropoles. But in the Amazon region, the "Oriente" (East) the populace remains very low at (3%).
The Ecuadorian economy is mostlybased on petroleum export, manufacturing, primarily for the domestic market, commerce, and agriculture production both for domestic consumption and export. Principal exports are oil, bananas, shrimp, flowers, as well as other primary agricultural products. In 2010, crude and refined oil products accounted for 56% of the total export earnings. Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of bananas and plantains (about $2 billion) plus a major exporter of shrimp ($800 million) and cacao ($400 million). Exports of non-traditional products such as flowers ($600 million), canned fish ($600 million), and cars ($375 million).
Particularly over the last two decades, Ecuador has become a prime travel destination with highlights including Galapagos, the old city of Quito, colonial Cuenca, Protected AreaCuyabeno, Cajas National Park, Cotopaxi National Park and the Otavalo indigenous art market
About the Author:
Find out why The Andes Mountain Chain is such a fabulous region to for trekking. For 4 decades Wesley Vanderhill has lived in South America and tells you where to go and what to do in the Andes.
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