Contents
- 1 What is the meaning of Peru?
- 2 What is Ecuador famous for?
- 3 Why is Ecuador special?
- 4 What’s the meaning of Venezuela?
- 5 What is the meaning of Cuba in English?
- 6 What does La Paz mean in English for Bolivia?
- 7 What is Lima Peru in English?
- 8 Why is it called Lima Peru?
- 9 Is Ecuador Inca or Mayan?
What does Ecuador mean in English?
Etymology – The country’s name means ” Equator ” in Spanish, truncated from the Spanish official name, República del Ecuador ( lit. “Republic of the Equator”), derived from the former Ecuador Department of Gran Colombia established in 1824 as a division of the former territory of the Royal Audience of Quito,
What it means to be Ecuadorian?
Belonging to or relating to Ecuador or its people.
What does Bolivia mean in English?
Etymology – From Spanish and New Latin Bolivia ( ” land of Bolivar ” ), from the South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar + -ia ( ” forming placenames ” ), from the Spanish surname Bolívar, from Basque Bolibar, a village in Álava, Basque Country, Spain, from Basque bolu ( ” windmill ” ) + ibar ( ” valley ” ),
What is the meaning of Peru?
Definitions of Peru. a republic in western South America ; achieved independence from Spain in 1821; was the heart of the Inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries. synonyms: Republic of Peru. example of: South American country, South American nation. any one of the countries occupying the South American continent.
What does Ecuador mean in English and how did the country get its name?
Ecuador Country Profile – National Geographic Kids Dancing is a big part of Ecuadorian culture. Dancing is a big part of Ecuadorian culture. Photograph by Nouseforname, Dreamstime Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent.
OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of EcuadorFORM OF GOVERNMENT: RepublicCAPITAL: QuitoPOPULATION: 16,498,502AREA: 109,483 square miles (283,560 square kilometers)OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, QuechuaMONEY: U.S. dollar
Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere. Ecuador is roughly the size of and is bordered by and,
- The high Andes Mountains form the backbone of the country.
- Cotopaxi in the Andes is the highest active volcano in the world.
- The Galápagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds, and plants.
- The Costa, or coastal plain region is where many of the world’s bananas are grown.
The Sierra is also made up of farmland. The Oriente is east of the Andes and is rich in oil. Map created by National Geographic Maps About 10 percent of the population is of European descent. Another 25 percent belong to indigenous or native cultures and the remainder are of mostly mixed ethnicity.
- Many of the native people are subsistence farmers and only grow enough food for their family.
- Soccer is the national sport.
- Ecuador is considered one of the most diverse areas of the world.
- There are some 25,000 species, and over 1,600 known species.
- The search for oil has caused environmental devastation due to oil leaks and destruction of forests.
Ecuador has nine national parks, including the Galápagos Islands. These 18 islands are home to some of the most amazing creatures, including the, Galápagos penguin, blue-footed booby, and iguanas. This is where Charles Darwin noticed the diversity of species and began to study evolution.
Right : Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official unit of currency. Photographs by AP Images, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury Ecuadorians elect a president to serve a four-year term. Rafael Correa is the current president. The National Assembly has 124 seats and members are elected every four years. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Congress for indefinite terms.
Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire until the Spanish arrived and claimed the country as a Spanish colony. For three hundred years the Spanish controlled Ecuador. In 1822, Ecuador became independent of, : Ecuador Country Profile – National Geographic Kids
Does Ecuador mean equator in Spanish?
Quito: The Largest Major Equatorial City on Earth – The equator stretches all around the Earth, passing through approximately 79% of water and 21% of land, and running through a total of 14 countries. Although the equator passes through other countries around the globe, no other country seems to show so much pride for its unique geographical position at the “middle of the world” or the bulge of the Earth.
One of the reasons for that is that Quito, Ecuador is the closest major city to the equatorial line on the planet. It’s so close by — just 15 minutes from Global Volunteers’ partner community of Calderón in northeastern Quito — and so much fun, that it’s one of the most popular free-time options for volunteers in Ecuador.
After all, it is thrilling to have one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern. This small Andean country is the only one in the world that carries this identify in its name as “Ecuador” means “equator” in Spanish. In fact, both the capital city of Quito and the country get their names from their equatorial location.
- Another geographical aspect of Ecuador’s zero latitude that makes it unique is its location high in the Andes.
- The monument to zero latitude just north of Quito is located at 9,861 feet above sea level — that’s 1.74 miles above sea level! Ecuador certainly has a lot of uniqueness packed into its mere 98,990 square miles — about the size of the state of Colorado.
Also due to the country’s position straddling the equator and high in the Andes Mountains, the peak of Mount Chimborazo (20,548 feet) is the point on the planet closest to the sun. Measuring from the Earth’s core outward, it’s the highest peak on Earth. Ecuador, the Middle of the World, Zero Latitude is full of fascinating uniqueness unlike any other place on Earth.
Are Ecuadorian Muslims?
Ecuador is a predominantly Christian country, with adherents of Islam representing a very small minority.
What is Ecuador famous for?
#1. Galapagos Islands – Galapagos Islands had to be #1 on our list of What is Ecuador famous for, for obvious reasons. Golden Sands, Turquoise blue water, and abundant wildlife, Galapagos is truly is a paradise! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these islands were brought into the spotlight by Charles Darwin.
Why is Ecuador special?
6. Biodiversity – Ecuador is considered one of the most biodiverse countries in the world due to the high diversity of its natural species, The country has around 23.056 taxonomic species of animals and plants reported, which constitutes the 6,1% of all species reported worldwide.
This biodiversity richness is determined by its geographical, atmospheric, and climatic location, which represents an important economic and commercial source, especially for the communities living and relying on this means. Tropical ecosystems are the most biodiverse on earth, and Ecuador exemplifies this diversity.
Roughly 8% of amphibian species, 5% of reptile species, 8% of mammal species, and 16% of bird species in the world are found in this diminutive country, which comprises only 0.2% of the world’s land area. Visitors can find 140 species of hummingbirds in Ecuador.
What’s the meaning of Venezuela?
Etymology – According to the most popular and accepted version, in 1499, an expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda visited the Venezuelan coast. The stilt houses in the area of Lake Maracaibo reminded the Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, of the city of Venice, Italy, so he named the region Veneziola, or “Little Venice”.
The Spanish version of Veneziola is Venezuela, Martín Fernández de Enciso, a member of the Vespucci and Ojeda crew, gave a different account. In his work Summa de geografía, he states that the crew found Indigenous people who called themselves the Veneciuela. Thus, the name “Venezuela” may have evolved from the native word.
Previously, the official name was Estado de Venezuela (1830–1856), República de Venezuela (1856–1864), Estados Unidos de Venezuela (1864–1953), and again República de Venezuela (1953–1999).
What is the meaning of Cuba in English?
Etymology – Historians believe the name Cuba comes from the Taíno language ; however, “its exact derivation unknown”. The exact meaning of the name is unclear, but it may be translated either as ‘where fertile land is abundant’ ( cubao ), or ‘great place’ ( coabana ).
What does La Paz mean in English for Bolivia?
La Paz in American English (lɑˈpɑs ; E ləˈpɑz ) 1. city in W Bolivia: seat of government (cf. Sucre2): pop.
What is Lima Peru in English?
Lima in British English (ˈliːmə ) noun.1. the capital of Peru, near the Pacific coast on the Rímac River : the centre of Spanish colonization in South America; university founded in 1551 (the oldest in South America); an industrial centre with a port at nearby Callao.
Why is it called Lima Peru?
You most likely know Lima only as, well, Lima. How would it be any other way? However, it was not always so. “The City of Kings” was its first name – but why? Here is a brief history of how Lima came by its original name, Ciudad de los Reyes. – The Spanish came to Peru looking for gold and silver that they could take back to Spain. They were looking for riches and glory when they landed on the shores of Peru, ready to establish a colony in this new land that they had found. They did not first land in Lima, but they soon established it as Spain’s main city in Peru, a place where they could serve the throne from abroad. In 1535, Francisco Pizarro decided to call Lima Ciudad de los Reyes, or “the City of Kings,” but it may not be for the reasons you’re thinking of. The newly named City of Kings was not named after the Spanish king, but because the founding of the city fell on the day of a religious holiday. The city that is now Lima quickly developed as the capital of Spain in South America, giving the city’s name a new layer of meaning, while also complicating the connotation of the City of Kings. Lima was considered to be loyal to the crown, and was the last country in South America to claim independence. Today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who calls the city Ciudad de los Reyes ; the epithet has, for the most part, been lost to time. It remains “Lima,” a name that now carries with it an array of different connotations. In Peru today, Lima is mostly known to Peruvians as ” Lima la gris,” because of the thick blanket of fog that covers the city for almost the entire year.
What does Machu Picchu mean in Peru?
History of the Citadel – Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain” in Quechua ( machu = old and picchu = pyramid, cone, or mountain”), was constructed in the mid-1400s. According to most experts, the great Inca ruler Pachacutec ordered its construction, likely to celebrate a successful military campaign. Thanks to its isolation, the Spanish never found Machu Picchu, and so did not get the chance to plunder and destroy it, as they did many other sites. As time went on, the jungle started to re-take Machu Picchu, and very few people remembered its existence.
Why was it called Equador?
1. It was named for the equator – Ecuador’s name comes from the Spanish word for the equator. The country, which straddles the equator, even has a monument built to celebrate its location in the middle of the world, found about 24 kilometres from the capital of Quito in San Antonio de Pichincha.
What do Ecuador call themselves?
Flag of Ecuador ; symbol of Ecuadorian unity | |
Total population | |
---|---|
c.18.5 million (Diaspora) c.1.5m | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Ecuador 17.8 million (2021 est.) | |
United States | 717,995 |
Spain | 444,347 |
Italy | 66,590 |
Chile | 42,022 |
Canada | 25,410 |
Germany | 16,000 |
Colombia | 11,404 |
France | 10,249 |
United Kingdom | 9,422 |
Peru | 8,000 |
Sweden | 2,627 |
Brazil | 2,000 |
Mexico | 3,000 |
Australia | 3,000 |
Japan | 2,000 |
Languages | |
Ecuadorian Spanish, Amerindian languages | |
Religion | |
Predominantly Roman Catholic ; Protestant | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Latin Americans, Indigenous people of the Americas, Europeans |
Ecuadorians ( Spanish : ecuatorianos ) are people identified with the South American country of Ecuador, This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Ecuadorians, several (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being Ecuadorian,
Numerous indigenous cultures inhabited what is now Ecuadorian territory for several millennia before the expansion of the Inca Empire in the fifteenth century. The Las Vegas culture of coastal Ecuador is one of the oldest cultures in the Americas. The Valdivia culture is another well-known early Ecuadorian culture.
Spaniards arrived in the sixteenth century, as did sub-Saharan Africans who were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic by Spaniards and other Europeans. The modern Ecuadorian population is principally descended from these three ancestral groups.
- As of 2010, 77.4% of the population identified as ” Mestizos “, a mix of Spanish and Indigenous American ancestry, up from 71.9% in 2000.
- The percentage of the population which identifies as “white” has fallen from 10.5% in 2000 to 6.1% in 2010.
- Amerindians account for approximately 7.0% of the population and 7.2% of the population consists of Afro-Ecuadorians,
Other statistics put the Mestizo population at 55% to 65% and the indigenous population at 25%. Genetic research indicates that the ancestry of Ecuadorian Mestizos is predominantly Indigenous.
What is Quito Ecuador named after?
Etymology – Named after the Quitu tribe. The name is a combination of two Tsafiki words: quitso ( ” center ” ) + to ( ” the world ” ) ; roughly translating as “center of the world.”
Is Ecuador Inca or Mayan?
Ecuador under Incan rule – Pumapungo ruins at right, on the Tomebamba River, Tumebamba was chosen by the Emperor Huayna Capac (ruled 1493–1525) to be the Inca northern capital. The history of Ecuador is better known from the point of the Inca expansion than during the Pre-Columbian era.
- In 1463, the Inca warrior Pachacuti and his son Tupac Yupanqui began the incorporation of Ecuador into Inca rule.
- They began by defeating the people of the Sierra including the Quitus tribe (the people for whom modern-day Quito is named).
- They continued by heading southwest to the coast, eventually subjugating the Ecuadorians living near the Gulf of Guayaquil and the Island of Puna to Inca rule.
By the end of the 15th century, despite fierce resistance by several Ecuadorian native tribes, Huayna Capac, Tupac Yupanqui’s son with a Cañari princess (the people from modern-day Canar province), was able to conquer the remaining tribes and by 1500 most of Ecuador was incorporated into the Incan Empire loosely.
- Huayna Capac grew up in Ecuador and loved the land, in contrast preference to his native Cuzco.
- He named Quito the second Inca capital and a road was built to connect the two capitals.
- Cities and temples were built throughout the country.
- He married a Quitu princess and remained in the country until his death.
When Huayna Capac died, there was no clear successor to the thrown since the designated heir, Ninan Cuyochi, died shortly after his father. Since neither of the brothers liked the idea of a torn empire, the two sons sought the throne. Huáscar, born of Huayna Capac’s sister in Cusco, was voted as ruler by the Inca nobles.
- Atahualpa, born in Quito according to Juan de Velasco and Garcilaso de la Vega, and in Cusco according to the most reliable chronicles, was the favorite son of Huayna Capac and was very popular among the Inca armies stationed in the north.
- The brothers battled for six years, killing many men and weakening the empire.
Finally in 1532 near Chimborazo, Atahualpa, with the aid of two of his father’s generals, defeated his brother. Huáscar was captured and put in prison. Atahualpa became emperor of a severely weakened empire only to face the Spanish conquistadors’ arrival in 1532.
During the period of Inca presence, the Ecuadorian organizations adopted agricultural practices, and a few social organization of the Inca occupants, but maintained their traditional religious beliefs and many customs. Inca domination in Ecuador was short (around 70 years) but they left one of the best-known archaeological sites of Ecuador: Ingapirca,
They tried to conquer the high Amazonian valley with only partial success, especially in the south, where the Bracamoros defeated them three times.
What language does Ecuador speak?
Language and Culture in Ecuador – Ecuador facts The official language in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is Spanish. Most locals especially those living in the highlands and Sierra are bilingual. Kichwa, also known as Quichua or Quechua, is the second most widely used language there.
Other commonly used languages are Chibcha and various indigenous languages. They include Awapit (by the Awá), A’ingae (by the Cofan), Achuar-Shiwiar (by the Achuar and the Shiwiar), Cha’palaachi (by the Chachi), Tsa’fiki (by the Tsáchila), Paicoca (by the Siona and the Secoya) as well as Wao Tededeo (by the Waorani).
In the south, the most widely spoken indigenous language is Shuar with around 100,000 speakers. There are approximately 23 different languages spoken throughout Ecuador. The locals always appreciate it when you try to speak to them in Spanish no matter how ‘broken’ or fluent your Spanish may be. Ecuadorians are known to be very hospital, friendly and helpful. However, like every place on earth, there are certain customs and traditions that visitors should take note of. While our site is not able to cover everything in this diverse and vibrant country, here are some tips for you.
Ecuadorians are known for their ‘South American laid-backness’. Hence it is always good to be a little more patient and to include some waiting time in your travel itinerary. Basic courtesy includes bringing small gifts when you are invited to someone’s home and avoid giving negative comments. Please note that photographing airports, military equipment, and the police is strictly prohibited,
If you would like to photograph someone, we strongly suggest that you ask for permission first. To be polite, you should also show them the pictures you just took. When you ask for their permission, you will usually receive a wider smile, a better pose and even get into a conversation to know them better! Smokers will not have any problem in Ecuador as smoke zones are clearly indicated.
- Smoking outside these designated areas may result in a hefty penalty.
- As long as you follow the rules and regulation and treat everyone with respect and politeness, there should not be any problem.
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- All stops are interchangeable.
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Why is the middle of the Earth in Ecuador?
THE “MITAD DEL MUNDO” MONUMENT – QUITO – The “Middle of the World” monument was built in the late 20th century to commemorate the first Geodesic Mission of the French Academy of Sciences, which brought French scientists (and some Spanish naval officers) to determine the equatorial line in 1736.
Geodesic”, which originally meant the shortest line between two points on a curved surface, became generalized to define the science of measuring the Earth’s size and shape. This mission was significant in that it sought to enlighten the 18th-century scientific community’s debate around the Earth’s circumference, but also in that it was the first major international scientific expedition.
Because the French Academy of Sciences was particularly eager to set the record straight, it sent two expeditions: one to Lapland at the North Pole, and the other to Ecuador. France enlisted the help of Spain because of its presence (by way of colonization) in South America.
- This monument was built to commemorate the mission, which was one of the first that employed modern scientific principles.
- Before the actual standing monument, an earlier one had been built in 1936 for the same purpose, but it was significantly smaller and off by a few hundred feet.
- Today’s monument is a 30-meter tower structure that holds up a giant globe.
The monument is surrounded by a large, plaza-like open space, with the four cardinal directions imprinted on large stones. A bright yellow line runs down the middle, and you can be sure that someone is always standing on it, with one foot on each side.
- The monument is impressive, or at the very least, grandiose in appearance.
- But it has been confirmed to be misplaced, approximately 240 meters from the actual equator line.
- How this happened, we will probably never know.
- Some say that the actual equator line’s location didn’t lend itself to the building of such a monument, and others simply accept that the French Mission’s measurements were outsmarted by modern GPS devices.
However, everyone generally agrees that the line at this monument is a misplacement, almost two football fields south of the actual equator. This hasn’t yet affected the number of visitors it gets on a daily basis, though it has generated lots of confusion and scrutiny, even among tourists who are eager to capture that iconic photo.
- The immediate area around the monument is a small labyrinth of artesanal shops, cafés, restaurants, and other scientific establishments.
- There’s a planetarium, a craft beer museum, and a large plaza.
- So when you’re done stepping over the line, climbing the tower of the monument, and taking a photo next to the “Mitad del Mundo” sign, you can actually enjoy a pleasant afternoon walking around the area.
Misplacement aside, if you go to the monument and take it for what it is — a monument honoring the scientific engagement sparked by the equatorial line, you’ll leave with more curiosity than disappointment!
Has Ecuador always been called Ecuador?
The origin of the name is from Spanish colonists calling the land ‘el ecuador’, which means ‘the equator’. After the war for independence, the term ‘el ecuador’ transformed into name of new state ‘Republic of Ecuador’, literally meaning ‘Republic of Equator’.
How do you say beautiful in Ecuador?
6. Hermoso / Hermosa – “Gorgeous” – Another common word, hermoso/hermosa is used for beautiful people, places, and things. It’s a bit more wide-ranging than bello – translations include “beautiful”, “gorgeous”, “nice”, or even (in Latin America) “noble”.
Remember that bello had a noun cousin called belleza ? Hermoso has a similar relationship with hermosura, which means “beauty”. You can also say una hermosura to mean “a beautiful woman”. ##7. Atractivo / Atractiva – “Attractive” You guessed it – atractivo/atractiva means “attractive”. You can use it in pretty much the same way as in English, for people, places, or things.
El atractivo is also a masculine noun meaning “attraction”, “appeal”, or “charm”.
What is Ecuadorian Spanish called?
Costeño – Español costeño, also known as Equatorial Coastal Spanish, is spoken all along the Ecuadorian Pacific, including the Galapagos Islands and extending into the Peruvian and Colombian coasts. The most remarkable phonetic trait of this dialect is the aspiration of the -s, mainly at the end of the words or before another consonant.