Things you'll need to know about Ecuador
With its relatively small territory (256.370 Km2 98.985
square miles), >
Ecuador has the biggest biodiversity per area in the world!
In a study of Conservation International, Ecuador is among
the 17 “
mega diverse”
countries, such as the United States, China, Australia,
Brazil and Mexico. With 9.2 species per km2, it occupies
the first place in the world with regards to species per
area.
The richness of this country lies in its DIVERSITY, both
natural and cultural.
Ecuador has 4 diverse and rich regions:
the
Amazon Rain forest,
the
Coast,
the highland
Andes,
and the Galapagos
Archipelago. These four regions are subdivided into
22 provinces. Besides its exuberant biodiversity, Ecuador
embraces an impressive variety of ethnic groups, including
some untouched communities, which still preserve traditional
values and cultural manifestations from ancient times
LOCATION: Ecuador is one of the smallest countries
in America. It lies on both the northern and the southern
Hemispheres, and is divided by the equator, which gave Ecuador
its name in the 19th Century. Ecuador borders Colombia (North),
Peru (and East), and the Pacific Ocean (West).
POPULATION: 12 million approx.
LANGUAGE: Spanish.
Most of the indigenous population speaks Quichua. In many
schools English is the second language taught. There are
18 different languages among
Ecuadorian
communities.
RELIGION:
95% Catholics
CURRENCY: Dollars. The government
has produced a series of local coins of 1,5,10,25 and 50
cents that have the same value as the American coins (which
are also accepted). Banks open from 9h00 to 17h00 and on
Saturdays only half day. Money exchange offered every day
in main hotels.
GOVERNMENT: Democratic.
Current President is Lucio Gutiérrez Borbúa.
CLIMATE: Ecuador
is located in the Tropical Zone. The climate throughout
the country ranges from tropical equatorial rainy weather
to perpetual snow on the top of the mountains due to the
influence of the Andean Mountain range in the highlands.
Cities in the highlands have temperatures that vary from
50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while coastal cities’
temperatures vary from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during
the day. The jungle has constant weather conditions: rainy,
humid and warm. The Galapagos Islands are always sunny and
warm. Temperature drops a bit during the months of June
to November.
AIRPORT
TAX: For anyone
leaving the country, there is a tax fee leaving from Quito
$25 and from Guayaquil $10.
Tourist Visa: Visitors can stay up to 90
days without a tourist visa.
Taxi rates: approximately 3 to 4 dollars
per ride from the airport to the city. These rates vary
among the main cities.
Transportation: Main cities (Guayaquil, Quito and
Cuenca) have local airports serviced by the local airlines
Tame, Austroaereo, and Icaro, besides international airlines.
Bus lines offer Land transportation where you can just jump
on the next bus leaving to your destination. Each city has
its own terminal, with frequent departure to each one of
the different provinces of our country.
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