Teach English Abroad > Ecuador Year > Country Info

Country Info

 

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, the mountains, the jungle, and the Galápagos Islands. Each region is unique and boasts its own climate, ethnic groups and natural beauty. The Andes Mountains cut through the center of the country, separating the coast from the jungle. The Galápagos Islands are located 525 miles from the mainland.

Quito, located at roughly 9,300 feet above sea level, is the second highest capital in the world and enjoys a largely temperate climate year round, as it is located 11 miles south of the equator. Guayaquil, the largest city in the country, is known for its friendly people and tropical temperatures. Of the over 14 million people who live in Ecuador, approximately 2 million live in Quito and 2.5 million in Guayaquil. Other major urban centers are Cuenca, Machala,   Portoviejo and Ambato.

Ecuador is a dynamic, diverse country comprised of various ethnic groups. It can feel like visiting a different country altogether moving from one region to the next. The culture is generally thought to be dynamic, and the people are lively. At the same time, the pace of life is a bit more laid back than what one finds in a big city in the United States.

"There is a certain mystique in the beauty of Ecuador that comes with the greatness of diversity one constantly encounters." 

Henrique Almeida, Ecuador Volunteer 1999

Unique Challenges for ECUADOR Volunteers

While Ecuador is a lovely country, with gracious people and inspiring geography, it suffers from many of the pitfalls that plague a developing country, including health and safety hazards, long bureaucratic delays, and income inequalities.   Nearly all WT Ecuador volunteers experience some health issue as they adjust to their new diet and surroundings; these issues include intestinal infections and parasites, altitude sickness, and tropical diseases. In addition, it is not uncommon for volunteers in Ecuador to fall victim to theft. While WorldTeach Staff makes every attempt to prepare volunteers to protect themselves, it is each person’s responsibility to be aware of the realities, to be vigilant, and recognize the underlying motivations that prompt these unfortunate occurrences to dissipate disillusionment.  And all the while, volunteers must navigate the challenges that come with adjusting to day to day life, including handling cultural difference with host families, delays in stipend payments and living with the means of a volunteer stipend in a tourist-enticing country. 

 

Web Resources for ECUADOR 

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