Beginner's Guide to Ecuador http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ Ecuador en Copyright 2007 Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:41:17 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.35 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Geography The islands lie in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers west from the South American coast and straddling the Equator. There are 13 large islands (including Darwin, Wolf, Pinta, Marchena, Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Baltra, Santa Cruz, San Cristobol and Floreana), 6 smaller ones and 107 islets and rocks, with a total land area of about 8,000 square kilometers. The islands cover a total area of 7,882 sq. kilometers ranging in area from 14 sq. km to 4588 sq. km.

The islands are volcanic in origin and several volcanoes in the west of the archipelago are still very active. Galapagos is a province of the Republic of Ecuador and five of the islands are inhabited. The capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, although the largest town is Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz.

Like many oceanic islands such as Hawaii, the Azores, and Reunion, the Galapagos are thought to be the product of a mantle plume. Mantle plumes are columns of hot rock, roughly 100 km in diameter, which rise from deep within the earth. These plumes rise because they are hotter (by perhaps as much as 200 degrees centigrade) and therefore less dense than the surrounding rock. The rate of ascent is about 10 cm/year or so.

Hence, the islands are the tips of volcanic cones, some still active. Actually, the Galapagos is one of the regions with the greatest volcanic activity in the world registering 55 major eruptions as of late - the latest in Marchena in 1991 and Fernandina in 1995.

There are two types of volcanoes in the Galapagos Islands. In the west, on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina, large volcanoes with an upside-down soup bowl or deep calderas occur. In the east, smaller shield volcanoes with gentler slopes occur. The difference between these two volcanoes is the difference in lithospheric thickness. The upside-down bowl is not common, and scientists are uncertain of its origin.

The highest point of the islands is located on Isabela Island. Wolf Volcano reaches 1,707 meters high and 2,000 fathoms (1,852 meters) deep. Because of the islands' vivid history, many have two or even three names.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/geography.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/geography.php Galapagos Islands Overview and History Tue, 23 May 2006 19:17:02 +0000 Climate Though the islands are located on the equator, the ocean's surface temperatures range greatly from 7 to 28 degrees centigrade. The islands also go through dramatic climatic changes. The months from January to March are considered the hot and wet season. March is the hottest month of the year. During this time of year, the islands are brimming with plant life, and the water temperatures are ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Because of the climate changes in the months from July through September, there is less rain and the islands are drier, though cooler. The water temperature drops considerably, though this is the ideal time of year to see more aquatic life, as the animals prefer the colder currents.

The principle regulator of the climate of the Galapagos is the temperature of the ocean surface and ocean currents, creating microclimates on the islands that influence the particular flora and fauna habitats found on each island.

When choosing the time of year to visit the Galapagos Islands, prioritize. Decide what you would rather do and see, as not all animals are present at all times of year.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/climate.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/climate.php Galapagos Islands Overview and History Tue, 23 May 2006 19:17:44 +0000 Economy The residents of the islands make their money through tourism, farming and fishing – all of which have damaged the islands and their habitats to some extent. There has been over-fishing of sea cucumbers and lobsters as well as illegal fishing of sharks (for their fins), whales and other endangered animals. Santa Cruz is having a large amount of problems with introduced plants – berries and plantain, in particular.

Approximately 60,000 to 70,000 people visit the Galapagos Islands every year. Tourists are encouraged to be conscientious and stay on the paths, not disturbing the animals or flora, and listen to the instructions of their guides. It is hoped that tourists will set an example and be aware of the impact that tourism has on the islands.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/economy.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/economy.php Galapagos Islands Overview and History Tue, 23 May 2006 19:18:34 +0000 History Galapagos had no indigenous people and was only officially discovered in 1535 by Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, when his ship was becalmed and carried there by currents.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, buccaneers and pirates used the islands as a staging post, stocking up on water and giant tortoises which they stowed alive on board their ships for fresh meat, before carrying out raids on the South American coast.

During the 19th century whalers and fur sealers further exploited the islands. Galapagos was annexed by Ecuador in 1832 and small colonies were gradually established on several of the islands. In the 1930's several mysterious deaths and disappearances among the European community on the island of Floreana put Galapagos in the news.

Most of the present-day inhabitants moved to the islands from the Ecuadorian mainland during the last 20 years – until the Special Law for Galapagos was passed the population was increasing at more than 8% per annum.


Sources
http://www.galapagos.com
http://www.rit.edu/~rhrsbi/GalapagosPages/AboutGalapagos.html
http://www.gct.org/intro.html
http://www.galapaguide.com

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/history.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/galapagos-islands-overview-and-history/history.php Galapagos Islands Overview and History Tue, 23 May 2006 19:19:27 +0000 Ecuador - The People and Culture Overview There is no question that what makes a country interesting is the people and the culture of that country. Wherever you go, there are unique people and interesting cultural traits which make countries what they are. This is a look at the unique people and culture of the South America country Ecuador.

The Republic of Ecuador is a democratic country located on the northwestern coast of South America, bordered by Columbia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador was inhabited by a number of indigenous peoples for centuries before it was overtaken by the Incans in the 1400s. The Incan Empire, which made up most of northwesters South America at that time, underwent severe civil war, which is when some of the powerful centers were established. Quito was one of these centers, as was Lima, Peru. In 1809, after Quito had been colonized by the Spanish for over 300 years, the city of 10,000 desired its independence. They defeated the Spanish army and joined the republic of Columbia, only to become an independent country in 1830.

The Roman Catholic Church had a stronghold in the leadership of the nation during the 19th century until a liberal revolution in 1895 assisted in capitalist development.

A controversy has lived for a number of years between Ecuador and Peru regarding who had control over certain land in the Amazon. The tension finally came to a head in 1941, when war broke out between the two neighboring countries. The war was short lived, however, because of Peru’s sheer dominance. The Peruvian army, long one of the strongest in all South America, had twice as many troops as Ecuador, and the Peruvian soldiers were much better trained. The Peruvians blocked the important ports so that the Ecuadorian soldiers could not receive supplies, and they even took control of two Ecuadorian provinces. Ecuador surrendered in a matter of weeks, giving up the land that Peru had claimed, and the two sides joined forces against the Axis powers of World War II. After the completion of World War II, the two sides returned to their own skirmish, fighting two more brief wars between each other over the next forty years.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/ecuador-the-people-and-culture-overview.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/ecuador-the-people-and-culture-overview.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:57:04 +0000 People The population of Ecuador is quite diverse. The Mestizos people group makes up the largest portion of the population of Ecuador, at about 65%. Mestizos are people of mixed ancestry, combining that of Spanish settlers and Amerindians.

The second largest group is the Amerindians, making up about 25% of the population. Amerindian is the name of the indigenous peoples in the Americas before European occupation in the 1400s. The precise definition of the term “Amerindian” is among the controversial topics in the “Native American” semantics debate.

White Spanish make up another 7% of the population; these people are called criollos. The remaining 3% consists of Afro-Ecuadorian descendants.

For a number of years the majority of the population lived in the sierra region, but recently there has been an exodus to the costa region, creating an even population split between these two areas. The urban population has grown in recent years due to rural dwellers heading to the cities, primarily the large ones. The population in the cities of Ecuador now exceeds 55%.

Eight groups of indigenous peoples make up a paltry 3% of the population in the oriente region: the Quichua, the Shuar, the Achuar, the Huaorani, the Siona, the Shiwiar, the Záparo, and the Cofan. These groups, who live in the Amazon River basin in the eastern portion of Ecuador, lead private lives and are leery of the Mestizos and other white settlers. These people have generally made no movement to urban areas, nor are they expected to. These groups are represented politically by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Children from the ages of 6 to 14 are required to attend public school, which is free of charge. While the government is making strides to improve public education, the poverty stricken rural people are finding it less and less appealing to be part.

The population growth rate in Ecuador is about 2%, while the birth rate is about 25 per 1,000, and the death rate is about 6 per 1,000.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/people.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/people.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:58:49 +0000 Regions The country of Ecuador is divided into four regions, three of which are contiguous, and one of which is in the center of the Pacific Ocean. The costa region is made up of the lower altitude regions in the west part of the country. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The sierra region in made up of mountains and higher altitude areas in the central part of the country. The oriente is the Amazon rainforest located in the eastern part of the country. The Galapagos Islands, located some 600 miles west of the mainland in the Pacific, are the country’s final region.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/regions.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/regions.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:58:55 +0000 Famous Citizens There are a number of famous citizens who hail from Ecuador; almost all of them are artists. Some of the artists are Tábara, Guayasamín, Kingman, Rendón, Arauz, Constanté, Viteri, Molinari, Maldonado, Gutierrez, Endara Crow, Villacís, Egas, Villafuerte, Mena Franco and Luis Miranda. Other famous Ecuadorians include photographer Hugo Cifuentes, film director Sebastian Cordero, Olympic gold medalist Jefferson Perez, and tennis players Andres Gomez and Nicolas Lapentti.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/famous-citizens.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/famous-citizens.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:59:49 +0000 Culture The culture in Ecuador is simply outstanding, one of the most interesting and unique in all the world. It is equally influenced by Europeans, American Indians, and Africans. The culture differs greatly throughout the country, with urban dwellers in the big cities living a far different life than the indigenous peoples who dwell in the Amazon River basin.

Sports are a huge part of Ecuadorian culture. Football (not American football, but the sport Americans would call soccer) is the most popular sport in Ecuador, as it is in most South American countries. The nation’s team has qualified for the World Cup, the world’s premier soccer tournament, two times. A variation of volleyball known as Ecuavoli is also popular, as is basketball. Tennis is growing in popularity in Ecuador, but it is often too expensive for residents of this poverty stricken country.

Ecuadorian cuisine is as diverse as the rest of the culture. It is not as popular worldwide as the cuisines of some countries, but it is diverse and interesting just the same. One of the more peculiar delicacies in Ecuador is cuy, which is roasted guinea pig! Many delicious fresh fruits are available in Ecuador, primarily in the lower altitudes, and seafood, especially fresh shrimp, is extremely popular throughout the country.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/culture.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/culture.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:00:15 +0000 Politics and Religion Ecuador is a republic, governed democratically by an executive, a judicial, and a legislative branch. The president, vice president, and Congressmen are elected to concurrent four year terms. The justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Congress and serve indefinitely. Presidents may only be reelected after an intervening term, while other legislators may be elected immediately.

Ecuador is a member of the United Nations and many regional groups. The country is known for emphasizing a multicultural approach to issues of international diplomacy.

The Roman Catholic religion is by far the most prominent in Ecuador, with about 94% of the country claiming Catholicism as their religion. The evangelical Protestant church has grown tremendously, especially in the poor regions. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons have also experienced recent growth in Ecuador. Islam and Judaism can claim a tiny percentage of followers in the country…Other religious presence is negligible.

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/politics-and-religion.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/politics-and-religion.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:00:42 +0000 Climate The climate in Ecuador differs among the regions. The costa region has a tropical climate, experiencing heavy rainfall and generally warm temperatures throughout the year. The sierra enjoys a tropical and subtropical climate, experiencing less rainfall and generally cooler temperatures. The oriente’s climate is equatorial, with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures. The Galapagos Islands experience a surprisingly small amount of rainfall, with eight months of the year producing no rain at all.


Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://countrystudies.us/ecuador/20.htm

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/climate.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/ecuador-the-people-and-culture/climate.php Ecuador: The People and Culture Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:01:10 +0000 Ecuador: The People and Culture ecuadorcult.jpg

Ecuador - The People and Culture Overview

People

Regions

Famous Citizens

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-the-people-and-culture.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-the-people-and-culture.php Newbie's Picks Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:32:21 +0000 Ecuador: Major Cities and Regions ecuadorreg.jpg

Ecuador: Major Cities and Regions Overview

Climate

Statistics

Geography

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-major-cities-and-regions.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-major-cities-and-regions.php Newbie's Picks Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:34:32 +0000 Ecuador: Activities and Attractions ecuadattr.jpg

Ecuador: Activities and Attractions Overview

Costa

Sierra

Oriente

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-activities-and-attractions.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/ecuador-activities-and-attractions.php Newbie's Picks Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:38:23 +0000 Galapagos Island Travel Tips galapago.jpg

Galapagos Island Travel Tips Introduction

Before You Leave

After You Get There

What to Expect

]]> http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/galapagos-island-travel-tips.php http://beginnersguide.com/ecuador/newbies-picks/galapagos-island-travel-tips.php Newbie's Picks Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:41:17 +0000