The History of Ecuador....
Different indigenous cultures thrived in Ecuador before it was conquered by the Inca in the 15th century. In 1463, the ruling Inca advanced into Ecuador and fought bloody battles against the native tribes, called the Cara. After 17 years of resistance, the Inca celebrated a terrible victory after the brutal battle of 1495, at the edge of a lake turned red with the blood of the fallen Cara. It was then called Lago Yahuarcocha (Bloody Lake). The Inca leader, known as a god, ruled with a firm hand, willing all to bow to the Inca. Suspended bridges and temples were erected, and records were kept knotted into an complicated colored framework called quipus, used to keep track of population and seasons. Treasures were housed in stone buildings erected by the Incas.
Soon, news spread of tall, bearded, white men making their way inland. In 1534, the Spanish conquered the land from the Inca and made it theirs. The native population got smalle and Quito became the center for the royal "audienca" (administrative district). In 1822, they became part of the republic of Gran Columbia, only to become separate in 1830. In the later 1800's, the world demand for cocoa led to a migration to the coasts. At the end of the cocoa crop, political instability followed. In 1942, Ecuador signed a treaty with Peru that allowed them much of the Amazon territory that Ecuador had claimed before.
After World War II, the growth of the banana industry helped restore political peace. From 1948 to 1960, presidents ruled easily, before the balance was broken again in the 1960's, where a military dictatorship followed. Through the years, the political balance tipped back and forth between dictatorship and democracy. Much later, a Constitution was created and a president, vice president, members of the national assembly, and provincial and local offices were elected in April, 2009. President Correa, who had ruled before,was re-elected. Also, it was announced that instead of the sucre, the U.S. dollar would be the Ecuadorian currency.
Ecuadorian Flag:
After World War II, the growth of the banana industry helped restore political peace. From 1948 to 1960, presidents ruled easily, before the balance was broken again in the 1960's, where a military dictatorship followed. Through the years, the political balance tipped back and forth between dictatorship and democracy. Much later, a Constitution was created and a president, vice president, members of the national assembly, and provincial and local offices were elected in April, 2009. President Correa, who had ruled before,was re-elected. Also, it was announced that instead of the sucre, the U.S. dollar would be the Ecuadorian currency.
Ecuadorian Flag:
The yellow top-half of the flag symbolizes fertility and abundance. The blue band is the color of the sea and sky and represents Ecuador's independence from Spain. The bottom red band is said to either represent courage or the blood shed for Ecuador's independence. The sign in the middle of the flag shows the condor protecting the country with its wings spread wide. The mountain is mount Chimborazo and the boat is the first steamboat in Latin America sailing on the river Guayas in Ecuador.