Ecuador travel overview

Encircling parts of the northwestern Andes and located between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador, a country of approximately 270 square Km., spreads from the coasts of the Pacific Ocean to the depths of the Amazon region. Habitats range from coastal dry forests to lush Amazonian forests, black water lagoons to wind swept cloud forests.

Adding to Ecuador's fantastic geography is the planet's foremost biological treasure, the Galapagos Islands. Several types of terrain such as snow capped volcanoes exceeding 6000 meters to the unexplored paths of the highlands captivate visitors as one of the perfect places for activities of eco-adventure tourism.

One of the most mega diverse countries in the world, Ecuador is renowned for its variety of species.

Unfortunately, due to mismanagement of environmental policies, Ecuador has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, adversely impacting communities, eco systems and animals alike.

An important ethnic variety has emerged throughout Ecuador's history with an estimated 13 million inhabitants. The meztisos (40%) and the indigenous peoples (40%) comprise the majority of the population. The Ecuadorian Quicha are renowned in South America as one of the foremost indigenous nations that have preserved their cultural identity due to the fertility of the regions they cultivate, as well as to their strong stance on independence. The minorities, Creoles of Spanish descent, constitute 14 % of the population, accounting for the bourgeois segment of the republic.

Additionally, Afro Ecuadorians, with a history of slavery, make up half a million of the inhabitants. Most Afro-Ecuadorians originate from Colombia and the Caribbean. They now live along the northern coast of the country.  

Wonderful works of art and handcrafts can be found in the magnificent markets throughout the country. Indigenous markets along the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" offer a picturesque experience. Among the most famous is Otavalo, which specializes in textiles and handcrafts.  Click to visit Otavalo.

A real vegetarian´s paradise, Ecuador has one of the tastiest cuisines in South America, with a great variety of fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes and bananas!.  Click here to sample Ecuadorian Cuisine

Spanish is the official language of Ecuador and is understood by most indigenous people. However, due the vast number of ethnic groups, a multitude of indigenous languages are spoken in the country. There are a small minority of people who speak English.