Ecuador

The Republic of Ecuador is a country located in northwestern South America with slightly over 16 million inhabitants (in 2014). Pottery that dates from 3000 to 2500 b.c.e. has been discovered in the area and there were important chiefdoms in the coast and highlands since 600 c.e.; in the 15th century much of Ecuador became part of the Inca empire. The Spaniards arrived in the region after it was engulfed in a civil war, and Spanish rule was established following massacres, deceit by the invaders, and infectious diseases coming from Europe.

During almost three centuries of Spanish rule in the interior, the colonizers established large estates and wool-based textile industries worked by native populations. After rebelling against the Spanish, in 1822 the region became independent and ...