ECUADOR
The capital of Ecuador is Quito. Ecuador is located in western South America, and borders Colombia to the southwest and Peru to the northwest. Ecuador has a population of 15,654,411 people and a total land area of 283,561 sq km. Many Ecuadorians speak Spanish, but some speak Quechua and other foreign languages. Ecuador was named after the Equator. Ecuador has a republic, and its president is Rafael Delgado. The country of Ecuador uses the United States Dollar as its currency. Education is very important to Ecuadorians, and the children of the country are encouraged to go to school no matter what. Literacy rate: total population: 91.6% male: 93.1% female: 90.2%
HISTORIA During colonial times, Ecuador was under the rule of Spain. Spanish culture was spread and encouraged throughout the country. Textiles were the main industry at this time, and brought in most of Ecuador s money. Roman Catholic religions were brought to Ecuador and brought more industries such as painting and music. The religion also brought more artistic things. Ecuador gained independence from Spain in 1822.
CULTURALES The culture in Ecuador is a mixture due to the diversity that the Spaniards brought over during the colonial times. Historians have trouble tracing back to the original Ecuadorian culture, because it has so many roots, but all they do know is that many of the historical Ecuadorians have musical backgrounds. Musical cultures began to expand with the integration of Spanish and even Incan influences. Music still grows even to this day and broadens the variety with every new song played.
GEOGRAPHIA Ecuador is split up into four regions: the Amazon, the Highlands (or Andes), the Coast, and the Galapagos Islands. The Highlands cross from north to south by the Andes Mountain range. The Amazon region contain some of the nations most important rivers such as the Putumayo, the Napo, and the Pastaza. Galapagos islands contain many beaches and active volcanoes. The Coast is made up of plains and rolling hills.
Galapagos Islands Pacific Coastal Region Andes Mountain Region Amazon Region
TOURISM Cotopaxi Volcano is the most active volcano in Ecuador. The top is covering in a snowy layering and many mistake the volcano for a mountain. Cajas National Park is a place for people to go to ask for miracles and to pray. The people have gone here since the appearance of the Virgen de Cajas. Cotopaxi Volcano Cajas National Park
FAMOUS ARTIST- ENDARA CROW Endara Crow fell in love with art at an early age and began to draw the land around him in Quito, Ecuador. He became known for painting things not necessarily as they were, but as the way he saw them. They were often very vibrant and full of color, because he loved the place he lived in and always saw it as a happy and fun place to live.
FAMOUS SINGER Julio Jaramillo wrote hundreds of songs in his 20 year career. Many songs are said to still play through the streets of his hometown and many other Ecuadorian cities. He is best known for his vibrant and fun music that is easily known as dance music.
FAMOUS WRITER Alejandro Carrión was a poet and novelist who wrote two major novels (La manzana dañada and La espina) which were both books of various short stories. In 1956 he and Pedro Jorge Vera founded the political magazine La Calle. Also wrote many poetry books and is known for his passionate way of speaking through poetry and almost any type of literature.
FAMOUS ACTOR Carlo Alban is a famous Ecuadorian actor who is known for his role in Sesame Street. Alban always had a childhood dream of being on an American TV show, and his dream was finally coming true which excited him. He was thirteen when he was first offered the job. Alban got caught years later after the United States realized that he was in the US illegally (his visa had expired)
MUSICA FAMOSA Ecuador is known for its dance music and festivals. Music has always played a lead role in the lives of Ecuadorians, and is believed to even be important in Colonial times. Archaeologists have found traces of musical instruments such as drums, trumpets, and flutes in old tombs.
TRADITIONAL CLOTHING Traditional clothing in Ecuador is similar to the Spanish way of dressing (due to being under the Spanish rule until 1822) Men normally wear a blue poncho, a fedora or felt hat, and calf-length pants. Women, however: dress very similar to the way the Incan Empire dressed. These outfits usually consist of a white blouse, a blue skirt, and a shawl. Jewelry is very important to Ecuadorian women and they will often be wearing mass amounts in there attire.
CURRENT EVENTS Ecuador launched a new bill in July of 2014 that stated that the government could make digital dollar bills. The government of Ecuador was very excited about this progression in their economy, but did not realize that Ecuadorian people were not aware of these new digital enhancements. This new technologic development that was meant to be good, has now caused problems with the currency value of Ecuador. Many citizens who have bank accounts are not getting the credit for the money that they actually have, while citizens who do not have a bank account are getting all of that money.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.erikathorpe.com/ecuadoritinerary/cuenca/cajas/oxford-pete-cajas-national-park-scenic-andesecuador.jpg>. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <https://www.rmiguides.com/international/_images/slideshows/ecuador /1.jpg>. "Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Ecuador. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/cr-ga/ecuador.html>. "Basic Information:." Embassy of Ecuador in Washington D.C. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.ecuador.org/country_information.htm>. "The Colonial Period." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/ebchecked/topic/178721/ecuador/25823 /The-colonial-period>.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/fla g_of_ecuador.svg/2000px-flag_of_ecuador.svg.png>. "Education in Ecuador." Education in Ecuador. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/ecuador/education/>. Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/ec.html>.