Ecuador

Ecuador is toward the North of South America. The most commonly spoken languages are Spanish, Quichua, and Shuar. Highland Ecuador joined the Inca Empire in the 15th century. Spaniards came 100 years later and colonized Ecuador for three centuries. Only a handful of remote Amazonian peoples have remained largely unconquered by outside forces. Cuenca, a Spanish-style colonial city, has been designated a World Heritage site as has the historic center of Quito. Parque Nacional Yasuni, an international biosphere reserve, is a rainforest with some unique ancient species in addition to jaguars and tapirs.

Rice, corn and hominy, and potatoes are big in Ecuador. Some wonderful fruits are available, including granadilla, passionfruit, naranjilla, several types of bananas, uvilla, taxo, and tree tomato. Ecuadorian ceviche is an uncooked fish dish (rather, marinated in lime juice) full of tomatoes. In Ecuador around Easter, they serve fanesca, a soup of fish, pulses, and corn. Pan de yuca is a popular bread made from root vegetables, and it’s even sold with frozen yogurt. Health-conscious options include organic Italian, Ecuadorian, Chinese, and Indian restaurants, raw Mediterranean food, juice bars, and health food stores. You can even consume all-organic chocolate bars, cakes, and drinks in the capital. ┬íOl├®!