Culture of Ecuador

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Culture of Ecuador
History Pre-Columbian Ecuador Real Audiencia of Quito War of Independence Gran Colombia (reunification) Ecuadorian–Peruvian territorial dispute 1830–1860 March Revolution Ecuadorian–Peruvian War (1857–1860) 1860–1895 Liberal Revolution of 1895 1895–1925 Concha Revolution 1922 general strike 1925–1944 Ecuadorian–Peruvian War 1944–1960 1960–1990 Military Junta of 1963 El Carnavalazo Supreme Council of Government Paquisha War 1990–present War on drugs in Ecuador Cenepa War 2000 coup d'état 2010 coup d'état attempt and crisis 2024 Ecuadorian conflict
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Ecuador is a multicultural and multiethnic nation, with the majority of its population is descended from a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry. The other 10% of Ecuador's population originate east of the Atlantic Ocean, predominantly from Spain, Italy, Lebanon, France and Germany. Around the Esmeraldas and Chota regions, the African influence would be strong among the small population of Afro-Ecuadorians that account for no more than 10%. Close to 80% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic, although the indigenous population blend Christian beliefs with ancient indigenous customs. The racial makeup of Ecuador is 70% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white), 7% Amerindian, 12% White, and 11% Black.^[1]

Ecuador can be split up into four geographically distinct areas; the Costa (coast), the Sierra (highlands), El Oriente (the east; which includes the Amazonic region) and the Galápagos Islands.

There is tension and general dislike between the residents of the highlands Quito and the coast Guayaquil the two largest cities of the country. Centralism in these two cities, also creates animus from neighboring provinces. The at times extreme cultural differences between the Coast and the Mountainous Regions can be traced back to pre-hispanic times as the Sierra had a strong Incan presence whereas the Coast was sparsely populated by non-Incan populations such as the Valdivia, Moche, etc. Post colonization the regionalism was accentuated and perpetuated, with the Coast having more Pan-European and African influences and the Sierra having strictly Indigenous influences.^[2] The animosity between the two regions has effectively bifurcated the country into two distinct ethnic consciousness and national identities. The enmity between the regions has often detained national economic progress as development in one region or the other is viewed with chagrin.