Ecuador is a small country (about the size of the state of Colorado) with a great deal of ethnic and geographic diversity. There are four distinct regions-the coast (Costa), the mountains (Sierra), the rainforest (Oriente), and the Galápagos Islands-each unique with its own climate, population variations and stunning beauty. The Andes Mountains cut through the center of the country, separating the coast from the rainforest and creating the Avenue of the Volcanoes where the capital city, Quito, is located. The climate changes with the altitude, and as the altitude changes, so does the population of the region. While many mestizos (peoples of mixed Indigenous/European descent) live on the coast, many indigenous groups live in the mountains and rainforest.
Quito, at 2,850 meters (about 9,000 feet) above sea level, is the second highest capital in the world and enjoys a largely temperate climate year round. Guayaquil, the major coastal city, is known for its friendly people and tropical temperatures.
Of the over 11 million people who live in Ecuador, approximately 1.5 million live in Quito and 2 million in Guayaquil. Although they are only about a half an hour from each other by plane, these two cities have very different food, culture, and accents, and their respective soccer teams often reflect the rivalry between them. The competition between these cities mirrors, on a smaller scale, the competition between the Sierra and the Costa in general.
Although it is sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has managed to fend off the kinds of drug problems that tend to plague its neighbors.
"Muy tranquilo" (very calm) is the expression Ecuadorians use to describe their country, and WorldTeach volunteers seem to enjoy this relative tranquility.
Web Resources on Ecuador
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