Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro invaded Ecuador, original site of the Inca Empire, in 1532, and gained dominion over it in two years. In 1822, the colonists revolted and Ecuador became a free territory and part of Gran Colombia. Eight years later, this territory became independent from Gran Colombia under the name of Ecuador. Since its independence, Ecuador has been governed by a mixture of civil and military regimes; however, civil governments have predominated in recent years.
Even though the constitutional presidents are elected for a four-year term, there have been five different presidents in Ecuador since 1996. Corruption scandals, political negotiations, juridical insecurity and social unrest have caused disturbance in Ecuador.
The political and democratic crisis in Ecuador has become an issue of concern to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of American States (OAS or OEA), the United Nations Organization (UNO) and the American Embassy in Ecuador. These organizations observe the country closely and have announced they will intervene, if the situation worsens.
Ecuador exports several products, such as shrimp, tuna, roses, bananas and coconut. Nevertheless, Ecuador bases its economy on oil exportation. The economic growth of the country depends on oil prices in the International Market. In 1972, Ecuador began to export oil from fields exploited by North American and European companies.
According to the Central Bank of Ecuador, since making the U.S. dollar the official currency in 2000, inflation has decreased from 10.10 percent to 1.60 percent.
Recently, oil production has increased, which has helped the economy. However, only 10 percent of oil revenue is used for social investments, such as education or medical care. The majority of revenue goes to pay for the country's external debt.
According to Ecuador's National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), the cost of a family's basic needs is U.S.$400 per month, but the base salary for most Ecuadorians is only U.S.$160. Furthermore, more than half of Ecuador's poor live on only U.S.$1 a day. In 1990, plans for governmental and social reforms failed due to lack of popular support.
The school year typically runs from September through July in Ecuador's sierra region and from May to February in the coastal region. Even though students are required to attend first through 12th grades, public education is not available for many poor children, especially for those in remote rural areas.
There are various universities in the main cities of Ecuador, including the Catholic University of Quito, the State University of Guayaquil, and the State University of Cuenca. In recent years, more educational centers and universities have been opened in other cities across the country. But only 1 percent of those in rural areas can access the universities and only 5 percent of those in urban areas attend universities.
The constitution guarantees to all citizens and foreigners their right to practice the faith freely chosen by them publicly or privately. Catholicism is practiced extensively throughout Ecuador. The Roman Catholic Church has significant influence in Ecuadorian society, even in political decisions. However, the Ecuadorian government allows missionary activities and public religious expressions held by all the religions.
The government does not permit religious education in the public schools. The private schools have complete freedom to provide any kind of religious education; so do parents at home. There are no restrictions for publishing religious materials in any language.
Source: International Religious Freedom Report, released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, November 8, 2005, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51637.htm.
Ecuador's art includes sculptures and indigenous handicrafts.
Ecuador is known for a style of music called "Andean Blues," which is melancholic, beautiful, and talks about the hardships of the poor and protests social injustice.
New Year's Day, Jan. 1
Carnaval, February or March: celebrated two days before Ash Wednesday
Holy Thursday, March or April
Labor Day, May 1
The Battle of Pichincha, May 24: Simon Bolívar's birthday
Independence Day, Aug. 10
Memorial Day, Nov. 2
Christmas, Dec. 25: Processions wind through the streets of Ecuador in the days before Christmas. On the last Sunday of Advent, Ecuadorians deliver gifts to the sick and elderly.
Ecuadorians enjoy soccer, volleyball, tennis and swimming.
They also enjoy chess, weight lifting and athletics. One internationally recognized Ecuadorian sportsman is runner Jefferson Pérez.
In Ecuador, dishes are generally bland and seasoned only with salt and pepper. Llapingachos are mashed potatoes stuffed with cheese, fritada is fried pork with avocado and corn, and cuy is guinea pig, eaten by the Indians of Ecuador.
- 2 cups of fish, cut into cubes
- 2 small, chopped hot peppers
- 1 peeled and chopped tomato
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
- 1-1/2 tsp. minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup tomato juice
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 Tb. of parsley
- 1 Tb. of coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all the ingredients and let them stand in refrigerator overnight. Serve cold.
Even though the principle language in Ecuador is Spanish, quechua is the native language of Ecuador's indigenous people who live in the highlands, the jungle and some parts of the coast.
- Bienvenidos (Welcome)
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- Chao/ Hasta luego (Goodbye)
- Alli shamushca kapaichi (Welcome)
- Imanalla? (How are you?)
- Kayacama (Goodbye)
Compassion's work in Ecuador began in 1974. Currently, more than 50,500 children participate in 200 child development centers. Compassion works with church partners to provide Ecuadorian children the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be.