Ecuador at a Glance

Explorations on
DIVERSITY EDUCATION (F500, F401, 3 cr.)

Quito by night

Cuicocha Lake

Otavalo Fair child

Modern Quito




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LOCATION	REGIONS	BORDERS AND MAIN CITIES
Ecuador is known as The Middle of the World, because it is crossed by the Equator (0^o-0'-0" latitude)	Ecuador, 256,370 square kilometers in size, is geographically divided into four regions: Galápagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón). Unique biodiversity, natural world-heritage. Coast (Pacific Ocean). Permanent tropical weather, tropical rainforest. Sierra Andean Mountains and plateaus. Temperate weather, averaging 60 F all year long. Oriente Amazon basin. Tropical weather, tropical rainforest.
	For detailed information on geography and other topics, visit the official site of the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism:

http://www.vivecuador.com/html2/eng/geography.htm



RELIGION	Churches not only celebrate faith, but also the exquisite artistry of native bricklayers and handcrafters throughout history


	Ecuador's principal religion is Roman Catholicism (95%). This faith was imposed by the Spaniards during the conquest. Among other means, religious congregations used monumental temples and convents as symbols of their power.	This religion in Ecuador involves multiple traits of syncretism with local beliefs. Recently there has been a resurgence of native belief-systems of the Indigenous people. Native religions include Pacha mama (Mother Earth) and the emphasis of harmonious coexistence with nature. Socially, Indigenous traditions value community over the individual.


FOOD
A SMALL SAMPLER OF THE INFINITELY VARIED ECUADORIAN CUISINE, FEATURING FRESH PRODUCE FROM ALL REGIONS

Cebiche de camarón y tostado. Schrimp cocktail and fried-corn side dish.	Fritada, encebollado, patatas, habas y mellocos. Fried pork, tart salad, potatoes, broad beans and sticky potatoes.	Carne a la plancha con menestra y patacones. Grilled steak with beans salad and roasted plantain chips.	Helado con frutas frescas. Ice cream with fresh fruits.


Empanadas de viento. "Wind" empanadas (stuffed with fresh cheese, deep-fried and topped with sugar).	Choclos cocidos. Cooked sweet corn (usually eaten with cheese; may also be roasted).	Dulce de higos con queso y pan. Fig dessert (cooked in heavy brown-sugar syrup) with cheese and (always excellent) fresh-baked bread.	Ensalada de palmito, jamón, huevo y vegetales. Palm-heart, ham, egg and vegetable salad.



UNIQUELY ECUADORIAN	The Fourth Region of Ecuador is the famous Galápagos Archipelago

	It was here were Charles Darwin studied and conducted research before publishing "The Origin of the Species by Natural Selection" and formulating his theory of evolution	It is composed of 19 volcanic islands, four of which are inhabitable by humans. The Galápagos Islands are home to many creatures including the blue-footed boobies, sea lions, stingrays, penguins, iguanas and giant tortoises (the galápagos, which give the name to the famous islands).


LA MITAD DEL MUNDO	The Equator or Equatorial Line, also known as the *Middle of the World*, runs horizontally through the country of Ecuador and is the main reason behind the country’s name

Mitad del Mundo monument to the XIX century scientific mission that established the first official measurements of the Earth. This is Latitude 0^o-0'-0'', Equatorial Line	Keeping the Equator from fading!!	On La Mitad del Mundo (The Middle of the World), you may stand over the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere...	or even lie over two hemispheres... at the same time!!



THE PEOPLE!!	The best kept secret of Ecuador: “The People! The Ecuadorian people are beautiful both inside and out	"Though not rich in wealth, they are very bountiful in spirit, love, and appreciation.” Robyn Branstetter Summer in Ecuador 2006

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