Catalina Guillen
Lacey Mizushima
Teresa Estrada
Robert Schostag
Jessica Engelman
Estimated Population as of 2008: 13,927,650 Ecuadorians
Capitol of Ecuador: Quito
Currency: American Dollars
The Ecuadorian Flag was adopted on September 26, 1860
FOOD:
Pork, chicken, beef, and “cuy” (guinea pig) are popular in the mountain regions of Ecuador. These meats are served with a variety of grains, rice, corn, and or potatoes. A popular street food in mountain regions of Ecuador consists of potatoes served with roasted pig (hornado).
Traditional Ecuadorian Recipe
Seco de Chancho ( Pork Stew)
( Servings 6-8)
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons annatto oil or lard
- 2 Large cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 Fresh hot red or green pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/2 Teaspoon oregeno
- 2 Cups Beer
- 3 Pounds lean pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 Large tomato, peeled seeded and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped coarsley
- 1 Large onion, finely chopped
- 1 Large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsley chopped, or 2 canned pimientos, chopped
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt
- Freshley ground pepper
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
Directions:
- Heat oil or lard in a heavy skillet and lightly saute the pork cubes.
- With a slotted spoon remove the pork pieces to a heavy flameproof casserole.
- Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet.
- Add onion and garlic and saute the mixture until the onion is soft.
- Add the tomato, the sweet and hot peppers, coriander (cilantro), cumin and oregano. Simmer untill the mixture is well blended. About 10 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and if liked, the pinch of sugar.
- Pour over the pork.
- Add the beer, cover and cook over low heat untill the pork is tender. About 2 hours.
- The sauce should be quite thick. If it seems at all watery, partially uncover the casserole during the second hour of cooking.
- Serve with rice.
Tourism: A visual Tour Of Ecuador
Galapagos Islands are a popular stop to experience all of the local wild life.
Otavalo is a small town in Ecuador that is situated about 100 kilometers north of Quito.
Cotopaxi National Park is situated near Latacunga in Ecuador.
At 20,702 feet, Chimborazo, in the Avenue of the Volcanoes, is Ecuador's highest peak.
The Jatunyacu River
The Galápagos Islands
Miss Ecuador
Top 5 Beaches in Equador:
Equador has many nice beaches, many of them are undeveloped. Even though equador is right on the equator, the Humbolt current keeps the tempertures around the 70's and 80's most of the year.
-Atacames (Providence of Esmeraldas) this beach is close to the capitol city of Quito. This beach is the most popular tourist destination for long weekend holidays.
-Muisne (Providence of Esmeraldas) this beach is fairly isolated and you can only get to it by a canoe. Most tourists don't even know about this spot.
-Salinas (Providence of Guayas) this beach is one of the more upscale beaches in Equador. They have a Casino and a yacht club, as well as dance clubs and fine dining restaurants. Mostly for Equador's middle to high class societys. It's also known around South America for it's annual international deep-sea fishing competitions.
-Canoa (Providence of Manabí) this beach is popular with foreigners, but isn't as crowed as some beaches in Equador.
-Montañita (Providence of Guayas) this beach is known as the best waves in Equador, and is a hot spot for surfers. Waves can get up to three meters high, and host international surfing competitions. However , just remember the night life here is crazy and loud.
The Banos Zoo
Known as the “Gateway to the Amazon”, the city of Banos in the Tungurahua Province of central Ecuador is a prime tourist destination. In addition to the active Tungurahua Volcano, there are a number of places of interest to explore in and around this interesting Ecuadorian city. The Banos Zoo, situated about a mile from the center of the city, is well worth a visit.
The Banos Zoo houses a number of species of animals which are found in the diverse terrain of the Orient and Sierra regions of Ecuador. The zoo is located at the base of the Tungurahua Volcano and some of the main enclosures have been built on the volcano’s slopes, using the ridges and contours to create habitats as close to the enclosed animal’s natural surroundings as possible. The animals housed at the Banos Zoo include jaguars, spectacled bears, pumas, giant turtles, capybaras, tapirs, different monkey species, parrots, condors and toucans.
Funny enough i use to love this song in high school and it has to do with Equador. Of course what I used to do while listening to this type of music is a another story not to be told here. Never saw the video until now for it really corney but enjoy!!!
Ecuadorian National Anthem
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If you are visiting Ecuador and like the night life the best place to go is Guayaquil. It's know for it's night life scene and varies from discos that you can party at till dawn, to pubs where you can enjoy a cold beer.
- One very popular bar is the Iceland Bar the ice them is very nice as well as decore of black and white. They have live music, karaoke, and a good happy hour.
Here is a video of a night out in Cuenta another popular place for night life.
Here is an interesting article I found about a law Ecuador is trying to put into action:
Ecuador could make good sex a right for women
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
car sex couple
Some sex, yesterday
A new inalienable right could be enshrined soon in Ecuador's constitution: the pursuit of sexual happiness for women.
The proposal by a member of the ruling party has created a stir in this socially conservative Andean nation, where a constitutional assembly is at work.
Assembly member Maria Soledad Vela, who belongs to President Rafael Correa's party and sits on a committee defining fundamental constitutional rights, said women have traditionally been seen as sexual objects or in a solely reproductive role in Ecuador.
On Monday, Vela said the right to sexual enjoyment means ensuring women can make free, responsible and informed decisions about their sex lives.
Fellow committee members proposed separate provisions for women's sexual and reproductive rights, an alternative Vela approved.
Opposition Assembly member Leonardo Viteri accused Vela of trying to decree orgasm by law, saying it 'isn't possible.'
'I never asked for the right to orgasm, only the right to enjoyment,' Vela responded.
(retrieved 6-29-08 from http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=145406&in_page_id=2
Interesting Facts About Ecuador:
Did you know…
- Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of bananas.
- Ecuadors real name is actually The Republic of Ecuador.
- In Ecuador, "uh-uh" actually means "yes".
- Rosalia Arteaga was the first women president in Ecuador, but she only had power for one
day due to political disagreements. She was originally vice president, but became president
after Abdala Bucaram was fired as president.
