"Dios patria y libertad" (God, homeland, and liberty)
An introduction to Ecuador
Ecuador, straddling the equator, lies on the northwest coast of North America. Nestled between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador encompasses a rich history of the Inca Empire. The Cotopaxi National Park, “Middle of the World City” monument, and Quito (the capital city of Ecuador) make for popular tourist attractions. The diverse regional destinations such as the Oriente, Sierra and Andes, have unique climate and clothing styles with bright embroidery and colors. Whether for visiting, traveling, or learning about, Ecuador is a vibrant country with a lot to uncover.
History and Demographics of Ecuador
Ecuador was developed by American Indians who made farming and fishing villages. In the late 1400s, the Inca people began to conquer the region. Then, in 1534 the Spaniards invaded and colonized the Sierra. These Spaniards made townships, working estates, and used Indian Laborers making Ecuador one of their colonial holdings. Ecuador later became part of the Viceroy of Peru (1544), then part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. In 1822 the armies of Simon Bolivar and Antonia Jose de Sucre came to help Ecuadorian rebels. Anionia Jose de Sucre won the Battle of Pichincha, securing Ecuador’s independence. Ecuador was freed from Spanish control and united with Colombia and Venezuela to form Gran Colombia. Gran Colombia included the present day countries Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Then, in 1830 Ecuador became an independent republic. Later, many political members of the country believed that the Roman Catholic Church should play an important role in society while people in the Costa region supported a more liberal government. Moving onto the 1900s, in the early years of this century, Ecuador faced three economic crises, riots, and massacres. The army began to take a large role in the political process and lead these massacres. Another other major event was in the 1940s when Ecuador was having conflict over border control but, later in 1998, a settlement was reached. The majority of people in Ecuador are Mestizos, and Indigenous people who are also referred to as Amerinidians. Some other major ethnic groups in Ecuador are Spanish and European descents, and people of African descent. Ecuador has had a chaotic history and long journey to independence which made them a strong and unique country.