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Ecuador. Capital – Quito. Facts About Ecuador. Population: 15,439,429 (2013 estimate) Total Area: 98,985 sq miles Currency: US Dollar Since 2000 Same coin values but coins are called centavos Commonly used half dollars and dollar coins. Language and People in Ecuador.
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Ecuador Capital – Quito
Facts About Ecuador • Population: 15,439,429 (2013 estimate) • Total Area: 98,985 sq miles • Currency: US Dollar • Since 2000 • Same coin values but coins are called centavos • Commonly used half dollars and dollar coins
Language and People in Ecuador • Spanish is the official language. • American Indian natives languages are also spoken. • mestizo 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Afroecuadorian 7.2%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, other 0.4% • Regional differences exist. • the Amazon Rain forest • the Coast • the highland Andes • Galapagos Archipelago. • These differences affect: • Dress • Appearance • Language • Family Name
Religion in Ecuador • Roman Catholic 95%, other 5% • Catholic church greatly influences society and government • Mormonism, Judaism, Islam, and Baha'i are growing • Use of shamans is common by all, regardless of faith • The Bible is highly respected and religion is not a controversial subject • Homes, businesses, and transportation are commonly decorated with religious sayings or pictures • Religious baby names are common
Government in Ecuador • 24 Provinces • 20th Constitution in 2008 • Constitutional Republic • President – 4 years terms and may be re-elected • National Court of Justice – appointed to 9 year terms • National Assembly – Unicameral with 124 legislators – 4 year terms
Daily Life in Ecuador • Daily life depends on social class and location. • School • Starts around 7:00 a.m. • No lunch is served so school gets out early afternoon • Most wear uniforms • Families and communities work together to get chores done. • Everyone works hard making money for the family. • Middle and upper class families typically have 9:00-5:00 jobs • Personal cars are becoming a status symbol.
Food In Ecuador • Soup is a basic staple. • Most families eat lunch together if at all possible. • Evening meals often are leftovers from lunch. • Middle and upper class follow European model of eating. • The main meal “dinner” lasts for about 2 hours beginning at 2:00 p.m. • Begins with soup. • Empanadas are common. • Potato dishes are common.
Fast Facts About Ecuador • The country has many active and inactive volcanoes. • Chimborazo is an inactive volcano that is the highest point in Ecuador. • Due to its position near the Equator it is known as the closest point on Earth to the sun. • Ecuador was the first nation in 2008 to declare that nature has constitutional rights. • Quito is said to have the most pleasant temperature in the world and has been given the name of the “Land of Eternal Spring”. • Ecuador’s chief exports are oil, bananas, and shrimp. • If you ask an Ecuadorian to meet you at 7 p.m., he will not be there until 8 or later. • Time is more of a suggestion and their favorite phrase is “tipo.” It means “somewhere around then” and is used along with a time, like “tiposeite.”