Ecuador is a state in South America (not in Africa, as some of our fellow citizens are still sure), located on its western coast and washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. A small country with an area of 283.6 thousand square kilometers. Population approximately 10 million people. The official language is Spanish.
"Ecuador" means equator in Spanish. And the country is indeed located on both sides of it. Not far from the capital of Ecuador, the city of Quito, is the zero mark of the equator. This place is called in Spanish Mitad del Mundo – Center of the World. Here a memorial is installed, which consists of an alley of monuments to the Spanish conquistadors (strangely enough, in this country the conquerors are respected), and in the very center of the world a huge stele with a model of the globe is installed. Inside the stele there is a museum of the history of Ecuador, and on top there is an observation deck from which you can admire the view of the surrounding world. Throughout the memorial, a line depicting the equator is drawn on the ground, and you have a unique opportunity to stand with one foot in the northern and the other in the southern hemisphere of the Earth.
Ecuador borders Peru and Colombia. In terms of natural conditions, the country is divided into three main parts: the coast (Costa), the mountains (Andes) and the jungle (Selva), where the great Amazon River originates. The coast is hot coastal plains with eternal sun, fruits, seafood and the ocean. Exotic nature and fauna. Iguanas, giant turtles, parrots and the smallest bird on Earth – the hummingbird – live here, that is, all those creatures that Senkevich once told us about on TV.
During evening walks along the coast at low tide, crabs are abundant, which you can collect for dinner or with beer (beer is available even during high tide – in numerous shops). The main occupation of the coastal residents is working on banana, pineapple and papaya plantations, growing shrimp and lobsters (one of the most profitable types of business). Therefore, at any point in the country, fruits are abundant and very cheap. Cocoa and coffee are also grown in large quantities. But the biggest and most profitable business, which, it must be said, is 90% occupied by "Russians" (immigrants from the former USSR), is the cultivation and export of flowers, mainly roses. The country is the largest supplier to the world market of roses, bananas, coffee, cocoa and seafood. (We will tell you more about this in a special article devoted to business issues in Ecuador in one of the next issues of "Zagranitsa").
And yet, it is better to go to the coast for weekend relaxation. The average annual temperature here is 30-35 degrees above zero – you will agree, that is a lot, although the heat is tolerated quite easily due to the proximity of the ocean. The climate is not for everyone, so let's head to the mountains.
The Andes stretch across the entire middle part of the country. This area can be called a natural incubator! There are optimal living conditions and a moderate climate. Due to the high altitude above sea level, there is no tropical heat, and the temperature fluctuates from +18 to +28 degrees throughout the year. No more, no less. In this part are located the main shopping centers and cities, as well as large llama farms. A very beautiful area: green lawns, palm trees, eucalyptus groves, and against this background – snowy peaks (remember the video). Here is also the capital of Ecuador, the city of Quito.
The Amazon region is wild nature, jungle. In this part of Ecuador are the sources of the largest river on Earth (over 5 million square kilometers). The jungle has a humid equatorial climate, a network of rivers and dense forest. Oil is extracted here (mainly by American companies) and tourist routes pass through (although the same can be said for the entire territory of Ecuador).
The capital of Ecuador, Quito, is located in the center of the mountain range at an altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level, surrounded by picturesque mountains. Due to this factor, the weather in Quito is always the same: from +15 at night to +25 during the day – not hot, not stuffy. Thanks to the freshness of the high-altitude air, you can forget how disinsection in Moscow went - there are no mosquitoes, no flies, no cockroaches. In winter there is a rainy season (usually from January to March), but the air temperature remains the same.
About 1.5 million people live in the capital, half of whom are Indians and mestizos, the rest are immigrants from Europe and North America. The city is clean and beautiful, consisting mainly of private one- or two-story houses. In the center and in some modern areas, multi-story buildings are being built. Due to lack of need, there is no heating in houses, nor air conditioners...
QUITO'S RIVAL AND SUPPLIER OF SOMBREROS
Guayaquil is the second largest city in the country. It is the main economic center, with both a river and a sea port. Guayaquil constantly conducts an unspoken competition with Quito for leadership in importance to the country. In terms of trade business, Guayaquil usually wins. The city was founded in 1531 and is located in the delta of the Guayas River. Sometimes it even seems that it is an island in the ocean. The city is very large. The population exceeds 1.9 million inhabitants. Guayaquil is noticeably different from Quito. First of all, because it is far from the mountains and it is real tropics. It is always hot, the air temperature is constantly +30. It is very difficult to do without air conditioning here, even when there is no sun and it is raining.
The third largest city in Ecuador is Cuenca. It was founded in 1557 and is considered the most beautiful city in Ecuador. The old colonial quarter has been preserved in Cuenca. Not far from the city are the ruins of the ancient Inca settlement of Ingapirca. Cuenca is the largest supplier of straw products, mainly characteristic national headdresses – sombreros. Like Quito, the city is located in the mountains, but higher, and the temperature there is like our spring all year round, from +10 to +18. Population about 200,000 inhabitants.
VOLCANOES AND ISLANDS
Chimborazo volcano – here one of the highest-altitude railways in the world is laid, which passes by steep cliffs through the mountains. The train moves at a speed of 50 – 60 km/h and climbs to the top of the mountain in 8 hours (by car much faster). From the roof of the train, which is specially equipped for the trip, a divine view opens. Chimborazo is the highest snowy peak, 6,310 m high. This is a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world.
Ecuador owns the world-famous Galapagos Islands (remember the giant turtles from the stories of master Cousteau). They are located in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Ecuador. Galapagos in Spanish means "giant turtle". The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 large and many small volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. The area of the islands is 7,800 km2. Population about 9,800 inhabitants. The Galapagos Islands are the pearl of Ecuador, with paradise nature and amazing fauna, and the main tourist attraction of Ecuador. There are many tourist hotels there.
STRICT ECUADORIAN RULES
Ecuador is a parliamentary republic. In the times of the communist past, the TV program "International Panorama" would have said that this country is under the rule of a pro-American puppet regime. Nowadays, this fact no longer causes such a negative assessment. Indeed, the Americans keep their finger on the pulse of the country due to their interest in local oil and gas, as well as the impressive trade turnover of American products. Most goods enter Ecuador from Florida, which is 3.5 hours away by plane. For the same reason, in Ecuador, along with the Ecuadorian sucre (local currency), the dollar circulates freely, and the parliament has several times discussed the issue of abolishing the sucre, which acts as a fractional currency. How does this affect the country's economy as a whole? Let the economists decide, but the population is satisfied, as they do not feel inflation at all.
Both the political and criminal situations are under the control of the authorities. The police are very strict. Especially regarding everything related to drugs. Only thanks to this, the proximity of Colombia is not felt. There are certainly problems, but the authorities try to solve them, as they are well aware that the country's well-being largely depends on this, with oil and tourism being the main sources of income.
RUSSIANS IN ECUADOR
The local population of the country is very warm towards "Russians". The attitude towards our compatriots has developed based on many factors: the education that some Ecuadorians received in the USSR, the commitment and honesty of our people in doing business in the country, the general level of education of "Russian" immigrants, among whom there are many doctors, engineers and representatives of other professions. Those traits of our people that we do not notice living in our homeland (hard work – who would have thought!) come to the fore against the background of the rather lazy and slightly cunning Latin Americans. But with the amazing friendliness of the locals, Russians somehow quickly "forgive" them all their shortcomings.
One should not forget about the peculiarities of the Latin American mentality every time you encounter local businessmen or traders. Here, no one will ever refuse you anything. Here they say "come tomorrow", even if they can never fulfill it. The most favorite word is manana, which means "tomorrow". You just have to get used to it. Here they value good things and good service, but no one will lift a finger to provide it. The most popular folk proverb goes: "The cunning (smart) live at the expense of fools, and fools work!" It follows that shortchanging with a sweet smile or selling not quite quality goods is considered a great merit. The fact that the customer gets offended and leaves forever does not reach everyone. This does not fit into the morality of a European or North American. Therefore, the main prosperous companies belong to Russians, Europeans and North Americans. It is enough just to serve a Latin American in a store with a polite smile and attention, and you can consider him your client for life. He will come to you very often, even just to chat, because the inventors of such a "wise" proverb themselves do not like to be deceived and love good service. Surprisingly, even many Americans immigrate to Ecuador, as life here is very calm, and the word "mafia" is associated only with Russia and Italy. The word "racket" is absent altogether.
PARADISE ON THE CHEAP
One of the main advantages of Ecuador compared to other Latin American countries (with the same Argentina, for example) is inexpensive living. The minimum subsistence level is comparable to the Ukrainian one, and there are many more opportunities to earn money. Judge for yourself: renting an apartment in the capital will cost from $80 to $250 per month. For $250 you can rent a large 3-4 room apartment. Food for 2-3 people will cost no more than $200-300.
At the same time, the salary level of engineers ranges from $500 to $5,000 (in oil companies, where it is quite difficult to get a job). Doctors in public clinics earn no less than engineers, and doctors who engage in private practice are generally considered wealthy people. Given that most of our immigrants still open their own businesses, almost all of them belong to the middle class. For "Russians", the employment problem can be called more a problem of choice than of search. The skill level of our people is many times higher than the skill level of Ecuadorians. An unemployed European, American or "Russian" is a concept that does not exist in Ecuador.
SCHOOLS
Ecuador has a fairly well-developed education system. Its priority task is to combat illiteracy in rural areas. Teaching is conducted in Spanish. There are no specialized schools (physics-mathematics or others). Specialization begins at universities.
The largest university in Ecuador is considered the "University of San Francisco". There, the children of the richest Ecuadorians and foreigners study. Teaching is in English. Education is expensive even by European standards.
The second most important, and also the most "intellectual", is the SEK University. Teaching is conducted in Spanish and English. The university is considered very advanced in terms of teaching methods, its diploma is recognized in the USA and Canada. Children from "middle class" families often continue their education in the USA. There are no obstacles to this – as long as there is money.