Ecuador

Ecuador,By Joselyn Espinoza

Through the eyes of the world.

http://blog.espol.edu.ec/jostespi/Visit my blog for more information

Flag & Coat of Arms

Location

Ecuador is located on the Equator in the northwest of

South America.

The geography of its four regions is

very diverse: Pacific Coast,

Andes, Amazon and Galapagos

Islands.

Language

The main spoken language in Ecuador is Spanish (94% of the population). Languages of official use in native communities include Quichua, Shuar, and 11 other languages.

CultureEcuador's mainstream culture is defined by its Hispanic mestizo

majority, and like their ancestry, it is traditionally of Spanish heritage, influenced in different degrees by

Amerindian traditions, and in some cases by African elements.

CuisineIn the highland region, pork,

chicken, beef, and cuy (guinea pig) are popular and are served

with a variety of grains (especially rice and corn) or potatoes.

In the coastal region, seafood is very popular, with fish,

shrimp and ceviche being key parts of the diet.

In the Amazon region, a dietary staple is the yuca, elsewhere

called cassava. Many fruits are available in this region,

including bananas, tree grapes, and peach palms.

Religion

Since the Spanish

colonization, Ecuador

became a Roman Catholic

country. The Catholic Church had and still has

an important place in the Ecuadorian government and society.

Climate

The Coast, and the Amazon jungle region have tropical weather with temperatures averaging about 30°C, with occasional highs around 40°C and lows of 20°C.Galapagos Islands experience temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C .

Ecuador does not have seasons. In Quito, and the rest of the Andean highlands, the weather tends to be cool, though it varies significantly in a single 24 hour period. Temperature may rise to 24°C at noon, and drop to 10°C or less at night.

Biodiversity

 In addition to the mainland, Ecuador owns the Galápagos Islands, for which the country is best known.

Ecuador is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world according to Conservation International, and it has the most biodiversity per square kilometer of

any nation.

CurrencyEcuador's monetary unit was the SUCRE but it was

circulating until the beginning of 2000.

After the financial banking crisis of 1999, the US dollar became legal tender in Ecuador until

now.

EconomyIn the agricultural sector, Ecuador is a major exporter of bananas (first place worldwide in production and

export), flowers, and the eighth largest producer of cocoa.

Tips for Travelers

VISAS: Citizens of most countries can stay a maximum of 90 days without a visa.

HEALTH RISKS: Dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, and a minor risk of cholera, rabies and diphtheria. Get a yellow fever vaccination if you plan to visit the rainforests of the Amazon Jungle.

TOURISM: http://visitaguayaquil.com/

http://www.quito-turismo.gob.ec/http://www.parquehistorico.gob.ec/

http://www.turismo.gob.ec/