About Ecuador

Ecuador is a small country located on the equatorial north west coast of South America, limited by Colombia to the north, Peru to the South and East, and to the Pacific Ocean to the West.

Population: 13 million approx.

Capital: Quito: 2 million approx.

Language Spoken: Spanish, a little English in the big cities and Quichua (The language of the Inca) in the countryside.

History:

Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, Ecuador formed part of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire which was governed by the last Inca, Atahualpa, who was born in Quito the son of Huaynacapac (Inca born in Tomebamba, Cuenca) and Pacha (Quitenian Princess). Sebastián de Benalcázar, coming from Cuzco, conquered the northern part of the Inca Empire and founded the city of Quito on the site of the former northern Inca Capital in 1535. After this, Ecuador was called Real Audiencia de Quito until its independence on May 24, 1822.

Immediately the Real Audiencia de Quito formed part of the Gran Colombia Republic as the "Distrito del Sur" until its separation in 1830. After the separation the Distrito del Sur took the name of "Ecuador" (Spanish for equator) and started out as an independent republic with an extension of about 1 million square kilometers. However, it lost a large amount of territory for various reasons. Only the reading of a full history could explain all of this more adequately, but some of these places formed part of Ecuador as Real Audiencia de Quito or as Ecuador: Cali, Buga, Champanchica, Huarchicona, Buena Ventura, Popayán, Pasto (today Colombia); Tumbez, Iquitos and a large amount of territory bordering the right shore of the Amazon River (today Peru) and following the Amazon up to Manaos in Brasil.

We strongly suggest a reading of Ecuadorian history: it is extremely interesting and educational.

Tourist Attractions:

Ecuador is full of attractions including: Saquisilí and Otavalo Indian markets at 2 and half hours north from Quito, Cotacachi (leather goods) 20 minutes from Otavalo, San Antonio de Ibarra (30 minutes from Otavalo), Cuicocha Lake (a lake in the crater of the volcano).

We invite you to visit GALAPAGOS the only place in the world with such milenary animals. Here is the place where Charles Darwin develped his theory of the Evolution of the Species. Another exotic place is THE JUNGLE with its fascinating flora and fauna.

You can take the train from Ibarra to San Lorenzo on the coast or from Riobamba to Durán (Guayaquil)

You can visit the Indian Market in Saquisili or the hot springs in Baños or Papallacta, or vist the Amazon Jungle or the Galápagos Islands.

You can achieve a better understanding of our culture and history by studying Spanish at the American Spanish School

Visiting Ecuador, you will find a true paradise of a natural wonders.

Translation Service

For further information please contact us to:

• Go to American Spanish School
• QUITO'S INFORMATION CENTER
• CLASSIFIEDS
• Diario El Comercio
• Diario La Hora