Ms. Soles

Social Studies

Lesson 23

South America: ECUADOR

Let’s learn about Ecuador's:

1) Physical Characteristics2) History3) Government4) Economy5) People and Culture

Where in the world is Ecuador?

Ecuador’s Flag

Quito: Capital City

Facts about Ecuador•Name: Ecuador

(long form) Republic of Ecuador •Capital City: Quito (1,397,698

pop.) (1,842,201 metro)

•Ecuador Population: 14,228,000 (2010 est.)

• World Populations (all countries) • Currency: United States Dollar (USD)

• Ethnicity: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%

• GDP total: $114.7 billion (2010 est)

• GDP per capita: $7,800 (2010 est) Language: Spanish (official),

Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

•Largest Cities: (by population) Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Santa Domingo de los Colorados, Machala, Manta, Portoviejo, Duran, Ambato, Riobamba

•Name: Ecuador takes its name from the Equator, which runs through the country.

•National Day: August 10 •Religion: Roman Catholic 95%,

other 5%

•Ecuador is divided into four regions: the coastal lowlands and mountains areas; the central Andes Mountains and its two major chains (Cordillera Occidental in the west) and the (Cordillera Oriental in the east); the lower mountains that fade into rolling hills and lowlands of the east, and the territory of the Galapagos Islands - officially called the Archipiélago de Colón - located about 1,000 km to the west. 

The lower mountains that fade into rolling hills and lowlands of the east, and the territory of the Galapagos Islands - officially called the Archipiélago de Colón - located about 1,000 km to the west. 

The Galapagos islands

Let’s explore the amazing Galapagos Islands of

Ecuador!

http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=975&CategoryID=2390

The Andes includes over 20 peaks at least 13,779 ft. (4,200 m) in height with most located in the Cordillera Occidental. In addition, there are over 30 peaks that are volcanic in nature, including many active ones. 

Typical Landscape of the Highland Region

Most rivers in Ecuador rise in the upper elevations of the Andes, flowing east toward the Amazon River, or west into the Pacific Ocean. The most significant include the Babahoyo, Chira, Coca, Curaray, Daule, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Napo, Paztaza, and the Putumayo, on its northeastern border with Colombia.

Pastaza River

Historical Events Timeline1500’s – 1800’s

• (1532) Pizarro expedition discovered Ecuador

• (1535) Galapagos Islands discovered by Bishop Tomas de Berlanga

• (1810) King of Spain overthrown by Napoleon

• (1820) Coastal Ecuador declared independence from Spain

• (1822) Battle of Pichincha ended Spanish rule; Ecuador became part of independent Gran Columbia.

• (1830) Ecuador left Gran Columbia, became fully independent.

1900’s

• (1941) Peru and Ecuador went to war over border conflict.

• (1945) Peru, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador joined United Nations.

• (1948) Growth of banana trade brought prosperity

• (1952) US signed military aid pact.

• (1959) Ecuador turned 97% of the Galapagos Islands into national park.

• (1963) Ecuador under military rule

• (1970) Oil exporting became major economic factor.

• (1979) New constitution restored democracy.

• (1995) War with Peru over 1941 border dispute

• (1998) Special law passed to protect Galapagos Islands; peace treaty signed with Peru ended 50-year dispute over Amazon region

• (1999) Ecuador economy in financial crisis; US dollar became official currency.

2000’s

• (2001) Luis Maldonado, sworn in as minister social welfare, first Indian to hold cabinet post

• (2002) Indigenous people protested oil production; Lucio Gutierrez elected president

• (2003) Anti-drug agents seized three tons of cocaine.

• (2004) Columbia, Ecuador, Peru opened negotiations for free trade accord with US.

• (2005) New Supreme Court sworn in

• (2006) Nationwide protest over proposed free trade agreement with US; Rafael Correa won presidential election

• (2007) President Correa decided not to re-new 1993 bilateral investment treaty with US.

• (2008) Ecuador renewed low-level diplomatic relations with Columbia.

• (2009) President Correa won second term; government refused to extend US military’s use of air base for drug surveillance flights.

Current Government

Ecuador is governed by a democratically elected President, for a four year term. The current president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, exercises his power from the presidential Palacio de Carondelet in Quito.

Ecuador’s Economy

Ecuador's economy has heavily depended on exporting resources such as petroleum, fish, shrimp, timber and gold. In addition, it has rich agriculture: bananas, flowers, coffee, cacao, guayusa, sugar, tropical fruits, palm oil, palm hearts, rice, roses, and corn.

Ecuador’s greatest national export is crude oil.

Refineries in Esmeraldas

Ecuador’s People and Culture

The largest ethnic group (as of 2007) is the Mestizos, who are the descendants of Spanish colonists and the indigenous people which constitute the 65% of the population based on a self-determined census.

Children in Rural Ecuador

Amerindians account for 25% of the current population. The unmixed descendants of early Spanish colonists, independently of their ethnic Iberian or Mediterranean origin called "Criollos", as well as immigrants from other European countries account for about 7% of the population.

Afro-Ecuadorians, including Mulattos and zambos, are also a minority, are largely based in Esmeraldas and Imbabura provinces, and make up 9% of the population.

Approximately 75% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic, and 25% are Protestants.

Basílica del Voto Nacional in old downtown Quito

Common Foods

In 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 shrimp and lobster being key parts of the diet. Plantain- and peanut-based dishes are the basis of most coastal meals. Churrasco is a staple food of the Coast Region specially Guayaquil.

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. This region is a lead producer of bananas, cacao beans (to make chocolate), shrimp, tilapia, mangos, passion fruit, among other products.

•Music is very important in Ecuador, with differences between Coast and Highlands. Generally, pan pipes, flutes of bamboo, violins, drums and charangos all played often, but with different purposes.

–For instance, in the Sierra popular tunes played at fiestas include "El Condor Pasa". In the Costa, the instruments are played mostly for cumbia, salsa, and pasillos.

The Bahía culture (500 BCE–500 CE) was a pre-Columbian

culture in Ecuador

It’s time to say “Good-bye” to Ecuador! We saw and

learned many new things!

Now, guess which South American country is next! Actually, the next lesson will include TWO countries.

HINT: They are neighbors and together, they are not as big as Venezuela!

Resources

http://www.wikipedia.comhttp://

www.watchknowlearn.orghttp://www.worldatlas.com