Currency
The Ecuadorian currency is the US dollar, ever since an economic reform carried out in 2000. The previous currency was called the Sucre, in homage to a Venezuelan marshal. Sucre is also the name of the future, common currency that the following countries want to adopt: Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, and four Central American and Caribbean countries. These countries created and joined an economic bloc called ALBA – the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas. In addition to free trade and economic interests, these countries are also hoping to boost social well-being and provide mutual support.
Colonial Center of Quito
The colonial Center of Quito was the first architectural site declared a Global Heritage Site in the 1970s. It has a lot of fantastic buildings that are from the same period (and even look like) some of the colonial cities in Brazil: Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, or Paraty.
Guayaquil, economic capital
They say that Quito is the political capital of Ecuador, but Guayaquil is the economic capital – maybe because of the port and because it has the biggest population, around 3 million people. Cuenca and Manta are also economically important to the country.
The Equator
The line of the equator passes through a city to the north of Quito which is called Pichincha. A landmark was built where the imaginary line dividing the earth into two parts passes. The city that arose around it is called La Mitad del Mundo (Halfway Around the World).
Panama hats
A curious fact about Cuenca: This is where they produce Panama hats – “El Fino”, as they are known in Ecuador. It is a major economic activity in the city.
More on the Latin American tour next week!
Signing off,
Marta Dourado