|
| |
Ecuador... A land of wonders and
diversity!
Although the smallest of all the Andean countries, The Republic
of Ecuador holds historical, cultural and natural wonders befitting an entire continent.
Straddling not only two hemispheres but also two worlds - the ancient and
the modern - this tiny republic with its remnants of past civilizations and Spanish conquests offers the
traveler a striking blend of landscapes, peoples and cultures.
From ancient markets of the indigenous peoples, Amazon tributaries, Inca ruins, Andean peaks, 16th century churches, and the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, Ecuador boasts an incredible diversity which belies its diminutive size.
Indigenous cultures, tropical forests, active volcanoes, and a wealth of animal and bird life are all highly accessible within a matter of hours in a country no bigger than the
U.S. State of Colorado.
|
| General
Information: |
| Size: |
175,780
square miles |
| Population: |
12
million |
| Capital: |
Quito |
| Principal
Port: |
Guayaquil |
| Languages: |
Spanish,
Quichua, Quechua, and other indigenous languages.
English is commonly spoken as a second
language. |
| Currency: |
The
Ecuadorian Dollar is the official unit of currency, but the U.S.
Dollar is accepted throughout Ecuador at equal value. |
| Religions: |
90%
Roman Catholic with a small minority of other Christian
denominations. |
| Type
of Government: |
Democracy |
| President: |
Dr.
Gustavo Noboa |
|
| Ecuador is situated on
the equator on the South American continent. Almost
due south of the U.S. state of Florida, Ecuador is about
4-hours by air from Miami. |
|
|
Climate: |
Temperatures and
rainfall vary depending on the region, altitude, and seasonal
factors.
· Quito,
in the northern Andes, has an temperature varying from 45° to 74°
F. The rainy season is typically from September to June, varying
from 4 to 7 inches per month.
· Guayaquil,
on the pacific coast, has a temperature that varies from 75
· North
Seymour Island, in the Galapagos, typically has variations in
temperatures from 88 F in March and April, to 75 F in August and
September. January through April is the rainy season, but even
then rainfall rarely exceeds 2 inches per month.
|
Once the Inca Empire's northernmost territory, successive waves of invaders have left their indelible mark on the country.
The remains of Inca and pre-Inca fortresses dot hill tops across the
Sierra, while in the highland valleys Quechua-speaking Indiana sell traditional handicrafts in thousand year old markets.
The beautifully preserved cities of Quito and Cuenca, both rich in 16th century art and architecture, and the elegant colonial haciendas found throughout the
conquests and three hundred years of Spanish rule.
|
|
