The first civilized culture to arrive in Ecuador was the Incas. In 1532, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro landed on the coast and had gained power over the area within two years. Ecuador received its independence from Spain in the 1820's and became its own country in 1830. Ever since, small rivalries have appeared in the country as well as several border controversies with Peru. In the 1970's, the present constitution was put into effect as well as a new ruling system. Despite a still corrupt political system, the economy began to strengthen. As of January 22, 2000, attempts were being made to replace Ecuadorian sucres with United States dollars.

Ecuador is located in the northwest corner of South America. The equator runs across the country, a fact that gives Ecuador its name. The country is so geographically diverse that the climates can range from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because of its variant geography, Ecuador has a wide range of natural resources that provide for a very diverse economy. Most people in the country are farmers working on larger plantations or haciendas. Some of their leading crops include rice, coffee, and potatos. Ecuador is the largest exporter of bananas in the world. Although the largest area of the economy is agriculture, Ecuador has experienced fast economic growth in other areas. Since the Amazon covers 40 percent of the country, the country produces various wood products such as furniture. The seafood industry is known for its high quality catches of shrimp and fish. Because of the long stretch of coast and the water encircling the Galapagos Islands, it is no wonder why this is true. Despite the protests of many native groups, the oil industry is becoming increasingly larger in Ecuador. This industry has accounted for most of the country's income since 1970.

Ecuador's land makeup is truly a wonder.

Besides being famous for its extrinsic fruits and fabulous seafood, Ecuador boasts many local dishes. The country takes pride in its soups. Some of their soups can be as strange as tronquito, bull penis soup, or yaguarlocro, potato soup that contains drops of blood. Another strange dish is the roasted cuy, a plate consisting of guinea pig. Many dishes in Ecuador include avocado. One such dish is the seco de pollo, which contains stewed chicken, rice, and avocado. In the larger cities, one can

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