Our Spanish Courses in Ecuador
click below :

12,2 million inhabitants.

National Anthem

• 1526: Whereas the area is dominated by Incas and civil war, the first Spanish arrive in the north.
• 1532: Arrival of Francisco Pizarro. The country is under the dependence of the viceroyalty of Peru before being attached to Nueva Espana in 1739.
• XVIIIème: Indian revolts.
• 1830: Total independence after 12 years of fight against Spanish and 8 years of membership the the "Greater Colombia ". For decades the country will know alternations of civil and military governments and many internal conflicts.
• 1832: Ecuador takes possession of the archipelago of Galapagos which will become a national park in 1959.
• 1941-1942: War with Peru and loss of part of the territory.
• 1995: Short frontier conflict with Peru.

Because of the great differences in altitude, one finds all the types of climate in Ecuador.

The majority of the mountain towns are located between 2200 and 3000 meters of altitude. With these heights, the temperature varies from 5°C (the night) with 25°C (the day). Be Careful with the sun! Even if the temperature appears lenient, the sun strikes very harshly.

The rain season lasts from December to May and the dry season from June to November. Useless to specify that it is better to avoid the rain season. The little tarred roads can be cut because of floods or crumbling.

The omnipresence of the ocean and the increase of cold currents make it possible for the Galapagos Islands to enjoy pleasant temperatures (between 20°C and 30°C the day and a little fresher at night). A good solar cream is essential all the same. Swimming is possible, because of the cold marine currents, the temperature of water varies 18°C with 24°C.

Three different climatic zones: the coast (Costa), the cordillera (Sierra) and Amazonian (Directs).

Rains on the coast from December to May and warm for the rest of the year. In the cordillera the climate is moderate all the time with temperatures dropping with altitude; rains from October at May. Constant rains and moisture in the Amazonian area.

To plan: in all seasons at the same time light and hot clothing for altitude. As well as impermeable clothing for the rain season.

Spanish and local dialects like the Quechua. English in tourist areas.

the sucre

The Ecuadorians consume mainly dishes containing potato, chicken and rice.

The most current meals are:

• Pollo con papas - chicken and fries
• Lomos papas fritas -steak-fries
• Pollo brasa- braised chicken and fries
• Tostadas braised corn - crepes of cornstarch
• Ceviche - lime marinated fish

Ecuadorian Shrimp
Ingredients

• 1 pound of shrimp : peeled and washed
• 1 large tomato (roasted in the furnace for a few moments to remove the skin more easily) peeled
• 2 peppers jalapeno (roasted in the furnace for a few moments to remove the skin more easily) peeled
• 2 red peppers (roasted in the furnace for a few moments to remove the skin more easily) peeled
• 1/2 onion (roasted in the furnace for a few moments to remove the skin more easily)
• 3 quarters of fresh lime juice
• 1/2 orange juice
• 1 quart tomato juice
• several Tabasco drops
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• a little salt

Preparation

Place washed shrimps in a pan, make them boil for 2 minutes and right after place them on a bed of crushed ice. Put the other ingredients in mixer and mix them until they are liquid. Pour the shrimps in the mixture and it cool.

Garniture:

1. 1 small red onion diced
2. 2 spoons of chopped chive
3. 2 spoons chopped Shallots
4. some coriander
5. 1 large diced tomato

Mix all the ingredients with shrimps and to finish we advise you to serve this dish with corn.

Formerly an integral part of the Inca Empire, Ecuador extends to the Western coast in South America. The country is divided into three distinct geographical areas: the coast (Costa), the Andes (the Sierra) and the Amazon (el Oriente). The coastal area is relatively punt. Some hills located near Guayaquil and well on the buttresses of the Andes give a little relief to this area. The North is covered with a wet tropical forest whereas the south is much more arid like the east and the coastal area of Peru. The arable lands are used for the production of bananas and pineapples.

The Andes cordillera in Ecuador is made up of 2 volcanic lines separated by a central valley in the south called Quito " Gone from the Volcanos ". The altitude of this valley varies around 2200 m and 3000 m.. The highest peak is Chimborazo (6310 m). Ten other nodes exceed the 5000 m: Cotopaxi, Cayambe, IIniza, Sangay, Altar, Tungurahua... All these nodes are covered with eternal snow but are often covered by clouds. The climate, softened by altitude makes it possible for the farmers to cultivate in the fertile valleys all kinds of fruits, vegetables, cereals, flowers (pink...). the production of milk and of meat allows to supply the local market.

The old Quito is a masterpiece of Spanish colonial architecture. Its walls of a white bursting punctuated of deep and capped blue shutters green tiled roofs are a gift to the eye and point out the time when Quito was a peaceful capital backed up by an artistic crucible. Alas, the earthquakes of 1587, 1768 and 1859 seriously damaged the majority of its eighty seven churches. In 1978, UNESCO declared the old man Quito an inheritance to humanity because of its historical value, and to make sure that the future developments of the city would not harm the single atmosphere which reigns there.

Quito was born from a marriage of Spanish, indigenous and foreign influences. Calle Cuenca is a characteristic of the environment which reigns in the old districts deserted by the richer populations.

The church of San Francisco, one of oldest on the continent, is also the spiritual center of Quito. Its construction began in 1534, little after the Spanish immigration, and lasted seventy years.

While crossing the clothing market of Calle Cuenca, one reaches the Basilica of Merced, decorated with frescos summarizing the history of Quito. Two streets further, one discovers Plaza of Independencia, where the heroes of 1809 are represented . It is here that stands the presidential palace, guarded by two soldiers in uniform of Napoleon style and a fresco of Guayasamin representing the descent of the Amazon by Orellana.

Also in this place, open the gates of the cathedral. Completed in 1706, it contains the famous tombs of Ecuadorians such as the Sucre Generals and Flora but also fabrics, whose Deposition of Caspiraca, probably the best Indian artist in Ecuador.

You will also be able to see the church San Augustin, Calle Espejo, (single pedestrian passage of the Quito old man), superb Compania church set up by the Jesuits between 1605 and 1768 and who would contain 7 tons of gold. It is in Calle Ronda that the colonial style was best preserved.

The Andes cordillera has many tourist attractions: Quito and Cuenca, cities with remarkable colonial architecture; Indian markets (Otavalo, Saquissili...) and picturesque landscapes; high covered nodes of snow; a large variety of sports activities (trekking, rise of volcanoes, VTT, Banos and its hot sources used for thermal baths...

The balsa wood is used to manufacture the usual objects and very pretty pieces in the craft industry. The silver jewellery borrow the Indian influence, and the painters are also inspired by the tales and legends of the natives. The paste with salt nicely decorated is a specialty of Ecuador. The fabrics and the woollen articles are also good purchases.

Canadian visitors please consult this handy site  Travel information and advisory reports

For all other nationals please consult your Ecuadorian embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

• Voltage : 110-120v 50Hz
• driving to the right.
• National Parade: 10th of August
• Country's motto : God, Country and Freedom 

We want to thanks the general consulate of Ecuador in Montreal for giving us the possibility to promote their website. You'll find a lot of very useful informations:

       www.consecuador-quebec.org