Ecuador Facts.

Ecuador – IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING FACTS

• Ecuador is one of only two countries in South America that do not share a border with Brazil.
• Guinea Pig is considered as a delicacy in Ecuador particularly in indigenous communities. The furry creatures are roasted whole, over an open fire.
• Ecuador has many active volcanoes and also, one of the greatest densities of volcanoes in the world. Active volcanoes include Cotopaxi, Sangay, Reventador, Tungurahua and Guagua Pichincha.
• Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, Ecuador, South America. It is consider as the world’s highest active volcano
• Tungurahua also known as the Throat of Fire or from Panzaleo is an active stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Oriental of Ecuador. It has been one of the most active volcanoes on the planet for the last several years.
• Majority of the balsa wood in the world comes from Ecuador. Balsawood is a very lightweight material with many uses. Balsa trees are native to southern Brazil and Bolivia north to southern
• The country is divided into 4 geographical regions – coastal lowlands, mountain highlands, eastern jungle lowlands, and the Galapagos Islands.
• The Galapagos Islands are where Charles Darwin noticed the diversity of species and began to study evolution.
• The Galápagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds, and plants.
• The Costa, or coastal plain region is where many of the world’s bananas are grown.

Ecuador – COOL, FUNNY AND FUN FACTS

• The country uses the metric system, but gasoline is sold by the gallon.
• Do not give lilies or marigolds as they are used at funerals.
• Trash trucks play music just like ice cream trucks in the US.
• Ecuadorians love fresh-squeezed juice, and you will find it at every meal
• Ecuador is the maker of the famous Panama hat. The hats were originally shipped to the Panama Canal for worldwide distribution, which is where they got the name.
• There are some 25,000 plant species, and over 1,600 known bird species in Ecuador.
• Ecuador has 9 national parks, including the Galápagos Islands. These 18 islands are home to some of the most amazing creatures, including the Galápagos tortoise, Galápagos penguin, blue-footed booby, and iguanas. This is where Charles Darwin noticed the diversity of species and began to study evolution.
• In Ecuador you cannot import cars older than a year.
• There are no railroads in Ecuador.
• Airport Guayaquil, the Ecuador‘s largest city , is recognized as the best airport in South America.
• Food is always eaten with utensils. Even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork.
• Many of the native people are subsistence farmers and only grow enough food for their family

Ecuador – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FACTS

• As part of the history of Ecuador, The colors of the Ecuador flag is yellow for the diversity in the country, blue for the sky and the sea, and red for the blood of those who fought for independence.
• Quito was declared a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site in the 1970s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America.
• The historic center of Cuenca which is the third-largest city in the country in size and economically was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 as an outstanding example of a planned, inland Spanish-style colonial city in the Americas
• Ecuador’s separation from Colombia in May 13, 1830, its first President, GeneralJuan José Flores, laid claim to the territory that was called the Real Audiencia of Quito, also referred to as the Presidencia of Quito.
• Ecuador was the first nation in 2008 to declare that nature has constitutional rights.
• August 10th, 1830, is also known as ‘El Primer Grito de Independence’ as the local name for Independence Day of Ecuador.
• In 1819, Ecuador joined Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama in a confederacy known as Greater Colombia.
• In May 1999, Ecuador and Peru signed a treaty ending the nearly 60-year border dispute.
• As part of the culture in Ecuador, the most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact and a smile.
• As part of the culture in Ecuador, Always refer to people by the appropriate honorific title (Senor or Senora) and their surname.