Many cities can be traveled by plane in about 30-45 minute daily flights. The effectiveness of traditional methods of managing these soils has come to be more widely recognized, and such prehistoric techniques as embanked fields for runoff management (albarradas) and raised fields (artificially constructed earthen platforms built on shallow lakes or marshy areas) have been studied by development experts. Ecuador has a rich cultural heritage. Sierra Negra (“Black Range”), Isabela Island, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador. Discover best places to visit and things to do. Also, there are over 19,300 different plant species as well as 640 different bird species. The main watercourse of the Costa is the Guayas River. Do you know these 7 basic facts about the National Team? Learn more about country history, maps and photos, statistics about education, religion, culture, and much more. 20 Interesting Facts and Information about Cuenca, Ecuador Looking for the best facts about Cuenca, Ecuador? Ecuador facts and figures provide information on the inflation rate, seasons, taxes, economics, residency, visa requirements, and more. Daily flights are available to all major cities. Check out interesting Ecuador facts and information about this West South American country with our fact file for kids. Buses are inexpensive and the the more upscale services are rather comfortable. Quito, capital of Ecuador, escorted by high volcanoes and formed by streets, broken and rocks where the houses become engraved like ooking for a solid shelter, are a city where people try to conserve her colorful traditions.. Quito is located on a horizontal strip of land running north to south between beautiful mountains. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask us. The latter may be used for crops with appropriate technology, such as shifting cultivation or agroforestry (crops and useful trees managed together), but some agronomists suggest that they are better utilized for timber and other renewable tropical forest products. Interesting facts about Ecuador. Its history has been marked by political and economic challenges, including long periods of military rule, boom-and-bust economic cycles, and inequitable distributions of wealth. Numerous rivers originate in the mountains, pass through the hoyas of the Sierra, and flow either west to the Pacific coast or east to the Amazon River. The country’s official language is Spanish, but Kichwa, Shuar and other indigenous languages are recognized by the government. Ecuador straddles part of the Andes Mountains and occupies part of the Amazon basin. Population: 16,498,502 (July 2018 est.) Location: Ecuador is located in the northwest corner of South America. 1. Other rivers that flow to the ocean include the Cayapas, the Esmeraldas, the Naranjal, the Jubones, and the Santa Rosa. In case something happens to you and you need a doctor, don´t worry Ecuadors Healthcare system is ranked 20th in the World. The country’s capital city is Quito, which was declared a World Heritage Site in the 1970s by UNESCO. Is Argentina a large country? Ecuador is the world’s largest exporter of bananas, exporting 2.7 billion worth of them annually (23.3% of total banana exports, 2016). Beyond this eastern cordillera, to the east, is the Amazon basin, extending below 900 feet (300 metres). Accuracy: A team of editors takes feedback from our visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible.Complete quiz index can be found here: Ecuador Quizzes There are 30 questions on this topic. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Quito Ecuador is a very popular tourist destination. Quito is the highest constitutional capital in the world. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Ecuador stabilized politically and was run as a democracy, but in 1997 instability returned after Abdala Bucaram (who became president in 1996) was removed from office after claims of corruption. 26. Running north-south, small coastal mountain ranges—the Colonche, Chindul, and Mache mountains—rise to 2,600 feet (800 metres). The people of Ecuador are very relaxed, and always love to meet tourists. Identify important facts about the overall size, location, official language, religion, culture, geography, famous landmarks, people, history, size, population and the incredible Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Ecuador Facts | Ecuador Economy. Because Ecuador is situated on the Ring of Fire—the long horseshoe-shaped seismically active belt of earthquake epicentres, volcanoes, and tectonic plate boundaries that fringes the Pacific basin—it has experienced several significant and deadly earthquakes. The official currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar. Primary education is free and compulsory for six years beginning at age six. Professor of History and Geography, National University of Loja, Ecuador. Get Ecuador facts and information. It borders Peru, Colombia, and the Pacific Ocean. Sort fact from fiction—and learn about climate, capitals, and more—in this journey through South America. (Source: Britannica) 2. In the Costa the floodplains of the Guayas and other rivers have accumulated fertile silts from the highlands. Ecuador is unusual among Latin American countries in having two major centres of population and commerce, the vibrant port city of Guayaquil acting as a counterbalance to the capital, Quito, located in the Andean highlands in the north-central part of the country. Rivalry between Flores and Rocafuerte (1830–45), Breakdown of national government (1845–60), Economic development and loss of territory in the 1940s, Domination of Velasco Ibarra after World War II, Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Ecuador, Ecuador - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Ecuador - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Ecuador does not have an official religion, however 95% of the citizens identify as Christian. In the Amazon basin, soils have not been fully studied and mapped; nevertheless, it appears that soils there are quite diverse, including areas of fertile alluvial soil, organic soils called histosols, and more-weathered tropical soils called oxisols. Is the capital of Brazil known for its architecture? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). However, the soils are typically underlain by a yellow hardpan, locally called cangahua, which is often exposed on eroded steeper slopes. It includes the Pacific archipelago of the Galapagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón). The eroded topsoil accumulates on lower slopes and especially on flats, which form the most desirable locations for agriculture. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Join the fun! República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador) Form of government unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [137]) 1 Head of state and government President: Lenín Moreno Capital Quito Official language Spanish 2 Official religion none Monetary unit dollar (U.S.$) Population (2019 est.) Oil accounts for 40 percent of all Ecuador’s exports and 33 percent of the country’s revenues. NOW 50% OFF! Their flag is comprised of a yellow, blue and red stripe with the country’s coat of arms directly in the middle of the horizontal flag. 17 Interesting Facts About Ecuador. With it’s modern and colonial charm, it seems to offer something for everyone. Ecuador is a beautiful tropical country located in Latin America. Ecuador - Ecuador - Education: The network of public education has been greatly expanded to promote the goal of universal literacy. In addition to the mainland, Ecuador owns the Galápagos Islands. Two high and parallel ranges of the Andes, traversing the country from north to south, are topped by tall volcanic peaks. Updates? In addition to over 16,000 species of plants, the country has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterfly. Then download our printable flags and colouring flag. Ecuador’s soils are among the most varied on Earth. The largest island, Isabela (Albemarle), rises to 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) at Mount Azul, the archipelago’s highest point. Puná, in the gulf, is the major island. It’s more bio-diverse per square kilometer than any other country. To the north is Colombia and to the east and south is Peru. Ecuador is a small country located in South America. The last time I was there, I really did not want to leave. Since gaining its independence in 1830, it has thrived as a constitutional republic. The most important is the Napo River, which receives the Coca and Aguarico rivers as well as other large tributaries as it takes its course toward Peru, where it joins the Amazon River. (Ecuador has lost about two-thirds of the territory it once claimed to Colombia and Peru.) The Ecuadoran mainland is divided into three main physical regions: the Costa (coastal region), the Sierra (highland region), and the Oriente (eastern region). (Source: Google Maps) 3. Ecuador is the country with the largest diversity of orchids in t… These coastal soils are of great fertility but often consist of clays that are subject to shrinking and swelling and thus present problems for construction. Ecuador has an area of 109,484 square miles (283,520 square kilometers). The resulting Creole society is still evolving and provides interesting experiences for visiting travelers. To the east of the main ranges are peaks Reventador (11,434 feet [3,485 metres]) and Sumaco (12,759 feet [3,889 metres]); the Cordillera de Cutucú, which borders the Upano valley and includes the central peaks; and the Cordillera del Cóndor to the south, which borders the Zamora valley. It's a very interesting country! The Basics. These are included in two ranges connected at intervals by transversal mountain chains, between which are large isolated valleys or basins, called hoyas. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. One out of five plants in Ecuador is an orchid; so far 3,043 species have been identified and 43% of these are endemic. An interesting facts about Ecuador´s culture: The most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact and a smile. Pasillo, is known as the national music of Ecuador. Omissions? Capital City: Quito Time Zone: UTC-05:00 Location: Ecuador lies in the northwestern corner of South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/ecuador-fact/, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ec.html, http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/ecuador/, http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/latin-america-and-caribbean/south-american-political-geography/ecuador, http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/travel/ecuador-11-things/. In Quito water boils at 90°C instead of 100°C. Journey to South America: Fact or Fiction? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This is what the country is best known. Grasses and epiphytes are the most diverse in Ecuador. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Many peaks are volcanic or snow-covered; these include Cayambe (18,996 feet [5,790 metres]), Antisana (18,714 feet [5,704 metres]), Cotopaxi, which is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes (19,347 feet [5,897 metres]), Chimborazo (20,702 feet [6,310 metres]), Altar (17,451 feet [5,319 metres]), and Sangay (17,158 feet [5,230 metres]). Tiny by South American standards, Ecuador is packed with an amazing range of natural and cultural attractions; a microcosm of everything that is appealing about this fascinating continent. Looking at historical Ecuador facts, we learn that the battle over the border between Ecuador and Peru was based on treaties involving Spain, Portugal and the emergent nations of Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. The second largest island is Santa Cruz. We’ll track down an answer for you. The volcanic Galapagos Islands consist of 19 rugged islands and scores of islets and rocks situated about 600 miles (900 km) west of the mainland. Ecuador is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world. Volcanic activity at higher elevations in the Andes has resulted in the formation of fertile volcanic and prairie soils, called andosols and mollisols, with dark surface layers rich in organic matter. It sits at 2,850m above sea level. Ecuador provides the majority of the world’s balsa wood. The Costa is composed of lowlands that extend eastward from the Pacific Ocean to the western edge of the Andes and rise from sea level to an elevation of 1,650 feet (500 metres). Ecuador's economy is the eighth largest in Latin America and experienced an average growth of 4.6% between 2000 and 2006. Ecuador Trivia Questions & Answers : South America This category is for questions and answers related to Ecuador, as asked by users of FunTrivia.com.. 15. Information of Quito. This dispute was so long that it spanned generations! The following facts provide information on Ecuador. Religious and nondenominational private schools also play a significant role. Well, look no further, here we have put together a really amazing list of fun, and interesting facts about Cuenca, Ecuador. The country also exports coffee and flowers. The highest is Chimborazo at 20,577 ft (6,272 m). They are a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. The main natural resources of Ecuador are petroleum, fish, timber and hydropower. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Ecuador is home to 135 different nature reserves, wilderness areas, and national parks as well as 8 internationally important wetlands and 3 biosphere reserves. The rivers of the Oriente carry the greatest volume of water. The first scientific expedition to measure the circumference of the Earth, led by Charles-Marie de La Condamine of France, was based in Ecuador; and research in Ecuador by the renowned naturalists Alexander von Humboldt of Prussia and Charles Darwin of England helped establish basic theories of modern geography, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Facts about Ecuador where Sunrise and sunset happen every day at around 6:00 am and pm, respectively. Tucked between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador outdoes its heavyweight neighbours because of, … Climate: Because Ecuador is on the equator, the country has 12 hours of direct equatorial daylight all year round. Know interesting facts and information to help you plan your trip to Ecuador. Ecuador is home to one of seven of the world’s mega volcanoes. That’s right, just like Yellowstone National Park, the Chalupas Volcano in Ecuador has a massive caldera that spans 16 km (10 mi) throughout the Cotopaxi National Park. Let’s learn more by diving into these 17 interesting facts about Quito Ecuador: 1. The western and central ranges of the Andes bordering the Sierra constitute the country’s highest and most continuous mountain chains. The country’s capital city is Quito, which was declared a World Heritage Site in the 1970s by UNESCO. 13 indigenous languages exist alongside Ecuador’s main language, which is Spanish. Between these coastal ranges and the Andes, interior valleys are mantled with silt deposits left by rivers that largely drain into the Gulf of Guayaquil. The Galápagos Islands (or Colón Archipelago: 3,029 sq mi; 7,845 sq km), in the Pacific Ocean about 600 mi (966 km) west of the South American mainland, became part of Ecuador in … The Sierra includes two high mountain chains and their western and eastern foothills. Ecuador has 1,600 bird species and 38 more endemic in the Galápagos. Whether living in Ecuador or just visiting, it doesn’t take long to notice a country full of passionate futbol fans. Ecuador, country of northwestern South America. Ecuador's culture includes a mix of indigenous and European influence. Ecuador borders Colombia on the n, Peru on the e and s, and the Pacific Ocean on the w, with a total boundary length of 4,247 km (2,639 mi), of which 2,237 km (1,398 mi) is coastline. The country is home to over 15 million people, while Quito has over 2 million inhabitants. Most Popular Facts about Ecuador . In the Sierra the rivers are torrential in their upper courses and become calmer in the plains areas but nonetheless remain unnavigable. 14. Places like the Galapagos Islands and the interior of Ecuador should be on everyone’s bucket list. Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. 17 Interesting Quito Ecuador Facts. Ecuador is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the world, and it has contributed notably to the environmental sciences. Ecuador is a popular retirement with a low cost of living and high quality of life. Ecuador facts reveal that Ecuador and Peru were engaged in a long-running fight over the border the two countries share. 1)Devoted fans around Ecuador call their professional futbol league the Serie A or the Primera A team. Check out these 15 fun facts about Ecuador to get you excited about your upcoming trip to Ecuador (or entice you to plan one)! ‘Cuy’, or whole roasted guinea pigs are a local delicacy. Ecuador’s culture and traditions: 3 basic facts. - Ecuador - education: the most diverse in Ecuador or just,! Fish, timber ecuador facts and information hydropower to promote the goal of universal literacy can ’ t what. 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