COUNTRY SPECIFICS
HISTORY
The Republic of Ecuador straddles the
Equator and is one of the smallest countries in South America. It covers
approximately 109,483 square miles (283,560 km), about the size of the state of
Colorado. Despite its small size, Ecuador is one of the most geographically
varied countries in the worldIts continental territory borders Peru to the south
and the east, Colombia to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The Andes Mountains, which cross the
country from north to south, divide continental Ecuador into Costa (Coastal
Lowlands), Sierra (Highlands), and Oriente (Amazon Region). The Galapagos
Islands constitute the fourth distinctive region. Ecuador is divided into 24
provinces.
The Costa extends the length of the coast
and offers beautiful unspoiled beaches, some resorts and rich agricultural
land.
The Sierra lies between the western and
eastern ranges of the Andes Mountains. This valley has been populated for many
centuries. Nestled in the valley is Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The Sierra
also contains six active volcanoes. The worldʼs highest active volcano is
Cotopaxi, which reaches 5897 meters.
The Amazon Region begins on the eastern
slopes of the Andes. This region, completely covered by the Amazon rainforest,
contains vast animal wildlife and vegetation.
The Galapagos are a group of isolated and
protected volcanic islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The vegetation
and wildlife have existed in isolation, which makes the Galapagos a fascinating
place to visit.
Quito, the capital city, is in setting of
great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha. Guayaquil, Ecuadorʼs
largest city is also the chief port and commercial center.
Quito was founded as San Francisco de
Quito on Dec. 6th 1534 by the Spanish conquistadors. Quito is considered to be
one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
The historic center of Quito, known as “Quito
Colonial” is replete with narrow and winding cobblestone streets, magnificent
churches and wide-open squares. The buildings that line the streets reflect
Spanish colonial influence with their balconies, tile roofs, thick columns and
central patios. The Old City of Quito lies over the ruins of the pre-Incan city
of Kitu, principle city of the Shyris (12th century). Kitu was later replaced by
the capital of Atahualpaʼs Incan empire (16th century). The city was razed by
the Incan General Rumiahui as a measure of the resistance against the
conquering Spanish.
Advanced indigenous cultures flourished
between 10,000 BC and 15 AD and by 1450 AD, most of these cultures had
developed into organized ethnic populations. The Incas, the largest culture,
originally from the central regions of what today is Peru, dominated most of
western South America the latter half of the 15th century. By 1600,
Spain had conquered most of Central and South America. The Spanish colonial
rule lasted about 300 years.
The History of Ecuador extends over a
9,000-year period. During this time a variety of cultures and territories
influenced what has become the Republic of Ecuador. The history can be divided
into five eras: Pre-Columbian, The Conquest, The Colonial Period, The War of
Independence and the Republican Era. The beginning of the history is represented
by a variety of cultures and finishes with the Incan invasion. The Incas were followed
closely by the arrival of the conquistadors, the Spanish Conquests. The Spanish
would found modern day Quito and Guayaquil as part of the political
administration era which lasted until the war of Independence, the rise of Gran
Colombia and Simon Bolivar to the final separation of his vision into what is
known today as the Republic of Ecuador.
The Republic of Ecuador celebrated its
first Independence Day on the 24th of May, 1822 when they got their
independence from the Spain. 'El Primer Grito de Independencia' the local name
for Independence Day of Ecuador is widely celebrated throughout as a National
Holiday. The anniversary of the nation's independent statehood from under the Spanish
rule marks the beginning of a new era for the Ecuadorians.
After nearly three hundred years of
Spanish colonization, the first major attempt for independence was made in
1809, but this only lasted for 24 days before the Spanish army regained control
of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Simón Bolívar, who first led the fight for
freedom in Venezuela and Colombia, then made his way to Ecuador to lead the independence
movement in 1820. The two-year battle of the famous Battle of Pichincha, on the
slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, right next to
the city of Quito, in modern Ecuador, saw the defeat of the Spanish royalist
army led by Bolívar on 24th May, 1822.
In 1830, the Republic of Ecuador became
an independent entity, seceding from Gran Colombia. Traditionally a farming
country, Ecuador's economy was transformed after the 1960s by the growth of
industry and the discovery of oil. There was rapid growth and progress in
health, education and housing. But by the end of the 20th century a combination
of factors, including falling oil prices and damage caused by the weather
phenomenon El Nino, had driven the economy into recession. Inflation, which had
become the highest in the region, led the government to replace the national
currency with the US dollar in an effort to curtail it.
Not all Ecuadorans have benefited equally
from oil revenues. The traditionally dominant Spanish-descended elite gained
far more than indigenous peoples and those of mixed descent.
Steps to stabilize the economy, such as
austerity measures and privatization, have generated widespread unrest,
particularly among the indigenous poor.
Despite its history of internal rivalry,
border conflicts with Peru and nine presidents in less than 9 years, life in
Ecuador remains relatively peaceful. The Ecuadorian flag has three horizontal
stripes, which from the bottom up are red, blue, and yellow. The yellow stripe
is twice as wide as the red and blue ones. The symbolism of the colors is as
follows: Red stands for the blood shed by the soldiers and martyrs of the
independence battles. Blue represents the color of the sea and sky. Yellow symbolizes
the abundance and fertility of the crops and land. The Coat of Arms of Ecuador
rests in the middle.
The Coat of Arms was given to the country
at the National Congress of 1900. In the shape of a heart, the Coat of Arms
rests on a bundle of sheaves, which is the Republicʼs insignia for dignity. The
palm and laurel branches between the four flags symbolize victory. The condor
perched at the top offers shelter and protection under its outstretched wings
and stands ready to strike out against any enemy. In the background is the
majestic Chimborazo Mountain rising to a lovely blue sky. The highest in the Andes
Range, this mountain unites with the Guayas River, formed from its snows, to represent
the brotherhood of the Sierra and the Coast. In the lower foreground, the steamboat
“Guayas” is seen crossing the wide river. This boat, the first of its kind in South
America, began service in 1841. The mast, with two wings at the top and two snakes
encircling it, symbolized accord and trade.
CLIMATE/WEATHER
Ecuador, with its four distinct
geographical regions, has a varied climate as well.
The Sierra, where Quito is located, is mild throughout the year. Although it
in on the equator, because of the altitude, temperatures range from 55-78
(average 64) year round. This region claims to have “eternal spring”, where a
typical day in Quito can be sunny in the morning, cool and cloudy in the early
afternoon, rainy in the late afternoon, and
cool/cold and clear in the evening/at night. Typically, the rainy season occurs
from October to May.
The Costa is warm and humid during the entire year (76-90, average 83).
Rainy season is usually December to May.
The Oriente is also warm (72-80, average 76), humid and rainy. The rainy
season is constant with less rain December to February.
The Galapagos Islands enjoy warm and dry weather year round, with an average yearly
temperature of 85!
CROSSING CULTURES
As you cross into the Ecuadorian culture,
with many subcultures, it is important to keep an open mind. Remember, just
because something is different doesnʼt mean it is wrong. Ask God to help you
see the Ecuadorian people as He sees them. Try to understand why things are
done differently than the way you would do them. Learn to appreciate the differences.
It is not right, it is not wrong, it is just different.
Remember you are the visitor; you have
the different opinions and odd perspectives.
You are a guest who has been given the
privilege of visiting Ecuador by the local government.
Do not judge the value system you will
encounter according to your own cultural norms. “It is not right, it is not
wrong, it is just different”.
Remember that the missionaries you will
be meeting have dedicated themselves to ministering to and with the people of
Ecuador. They will be happy to discuss the country and culture with you.
However, when speaking with them, avoid criticizing the country or people of
Ecuador.
Remember most Ecuadorians in the Sierra
are conservative in dress as well as many other ways.
Control your body! Facial expressions and
body language often speak louder than words.
When eating: Be grateful- say “gracias,”
smile, and compliment your host.
Eat what is before you. North America is
one of the few cultures where people throw food away, in the rest of the world
it is not only insulting to the cook, it is wasteful around people who cannot
afford to be wasteful.
Many Ecuadorians speak or at least
understand English, so only say what you want understood.
Ecuadorians are very patient and
forgiving of bad Spanish. Use all of the Spanish you can, “por favor” (please)
and “gracias” (thank you) are very much appreciated.
Be prepared to shake hands with/kiss
everyone you meet. You will also shake hands/kiss when you say goodbye, even if
you have only exchanged a few words.
Share your faith when you have the
opportunity.
If you see something you donʼt want to,
i.e. nursing mothers or men peeing, it is not their fault, but yours because
you looked. Donʼt stare!
You will encounter many beggars. A coin
is an acceptable gift if you choose to give one, but it is not necessary. View
these people as Christ views them!
If you are from North America, introduce
yourself as a “North American”. Ecuadorians are American too… “South Americans”!
When giving your testimony, be culturally
sensitive. Many of the people to whom you will be speaking are much poorer than
you, and with a different set of norms.
People will talk about their bodies and
your body. You might be called “gorda” and “flaca” in the same day, it is not
meant to insult – everyone has a body so why not talk about them.
Most importantly: If you are unsure of
what to do in a situation step back and let the missionaries take the lead. You
will learn a lot by observing.
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