ECUADOR FACTS...

Among other Ecuador facts, in the early days of pre-Columbian America, modern Ecuador was home to several advanced indigenous cultures such as the Bahia, Chorrera, Tolita, Machalila, Valdivia, etc, that flowrished in the country until the arrival of the Incas, in 1450.

They ruled for almost one century.
By 1534, the Spanish conquistadores led by Francisco Pizarro put an end to Inca's domination, marking the beginning of Ecuador's colonial history, a period characterized by brutality, forced labor and rampant disease brought along by the Spaniards.

During the following two centuries, Ecuador was first part of the Viceroyalty of Peru and later, the Viceroyalty of New Granada - from 1717 to 1819 - comprising modern Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Venezuela.

By 1822, when the winds of independence swept South America from North to South, Ecuador saw the end of colonial rule by the hands of Simón Bolivar, The Liberator, becoming part of the Republic of Gran Colombia, together with Colombia and Venezuela.

This association, however, didn't last long and, by 1830, Ecuador finally became the "Republic of the Equator" or Republic of Ecuador as we know it today.
To get a more comprehensive understanding of this historic facts about Ecuador, please visit The Northern Colonies and The Las Days of the Empire.

Ecuador Flag painted over a child's face - © Duncan Walker / Istockphoto

Geography of Ecuador:

Ecuador Map
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Bounded by Colombia to the North (590 km), Peru to East and South (1,420 km) and the Pacific ocean to the West, Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America and home to some of the highest and most active volcanoes in the world.

The geography of Ecuador is marked by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains, traversing the country from North to South in two parallel ranges.

To the South of Quito, extending for over 300km, the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Ecuador, a true paradise for climbers and a mecca for thousands of international visitors every year.

Named by explorer Alexander von Humboldt in 1802, the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" has nine of the highest peaks and volcanoes in Ecuador...

Chimborazo. 6,267 m.a.s.l. Highest peak in Ecuador.
Cotopaxi. %,897 m.a.s.l. Second highest active volcano in the world.
Cayanbe. 5,790 m.a.s.l.
Antisana. 5,704 m.a.s.l.
Altar. 5,320 m.a.s.l.
Illiniza Sur. 5,263 m.a.s.l.
Sangay. 5,230 m.a.s.l.
Carihaurazo. 5,,020 m.a.s.l..
Tungurahua. 5,016 m.a.s.l.

But the natural diversity that Ecuador has in store don't finish here in the least.
The Ecuadorian Amazon or the Oriente, as locals like to call it, boasts one the highest levels of bio-diversity in the world.

It's home to 50% of Ecuador’s mammals, 5% of the earth’s plant species and 1,500 of the world's known 9,000 bird species.

To complete the country's four unique regions, Archipélago de Colón, better known as Galápagos Islands is a wildlife sanctuary located around 1,000 km (600 miles) west of continental Ecuador.

It's the country's first national park (founded in 1959), a biological marine reserve and a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO in 1978.
Read some Galápagos islands facts.

Ecuador Facts:

Area: 270,670 sq. km. / 104,479 sq. ml.
Population: 13,710,234
Capital: Quito. 2.1 million (2008 estimate)
Currency: U$D. Since year 2000, Ecuador currency is not Sucre anymore but American Dollars
Language: Spanish, Quechua
Religion: Christianity, with 95% Roman Catholic
Ethnic Division: Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 65%, Indigenous: 25%, Spanish and other European: 7%, Black: 3%.
Literacy Rate: 93%
Time: Mainland: GMT - 5. Galapagos Islands: GMT - 6.
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz

Finally, the list of Ecuador facts shall include the country's easy access to the jungle.
If you are eco-tourism oriented and would like to experience wildlife, canopy walks and the comfort of its jungle lodges, you have an extra reason to make Ecuador part of your unique South America travel experience.

ECUADOR FACTS...

Geography of Ecuador:

Ecuador Facts:

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