What I learnt about Ecuador
- Geography: Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. It’s roughly the size of Colorado and is bordered by Colombia and Peru.
- History: Before the Incas created settlements in Ecuador, it was inhabited by its Native American peoples. Ecuador was founded in 1532 by the Spanish, who drove out the Incans. They first declared independence on August 10, 1809; they finally achieved it from Spain on May 24, 1822.
- Economy: Ecuador’s economy is primarily driven by the export of oil, which has been a dominant force since the early 1970s. Other significant contributors include agriculture and fishing, with bananas, shrimp, gold, and other primary agricultural products being key exports
- Cocoa has been a cornerstone of Ecuador’s economy since the late 19th century, with the cocoa trade being essential for the country’s modernization efforts. Today, Ecuador is the world’s third-largest exporter of cocoa, contributing to approximately 5% of the country’s GDP.
- In 2008, Ecuador was the first country to recognize the rights of nature officially. Rather than treating nature as property, Ecuador recognizes that nature has constitutional rights and has the ‘right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles.
- Ecuador is home to the world’s first two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Galápagos Islands and the capital city of Quito.
What I read for Ecuador
The Spanish Daughter
Lorena Hughes
Available in: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Paperback: 352 pages
Audiobook: 9h 42m
Summary
Puri, a woman with a deep love for chocolate inherited from her father, discovers an unexpected legacy after his death—a cocoa estate in Vinces, Ecuador. Determined to claim her birthright and start anew after World War I, Puri and her husband Cristóbal embark on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean. However, danger looms as someone opposes Puri’s claim to the estate.
When a hired assassin mistakenly kills Cristóbal, Puri assumes her husband’s identity, hoping to protect herself while unraveling her father’s hidden past in Ecuador. As she explores her newfound inheritance, Puri faces challenges such as newfound siblings, secret affairs, and her father’s enigmatic history. Amidst it all, her attraction to a mysterious man complicates matters, and she must uncover the identity of a lurking enemy who threatens her future.
Thoughts
Most of the weightage of my decision for picking a book for any country is inspired by it’s ease of availability and the rest is the premise. This was an interesting read. I don’t think this book gives a lot of insight into the lives of Ecuador but overall it was an engaging read. The inclusion of chocolate discussions was a delightful bonus. The chapters were short and succent and the story was moving at a constant pace. The mystery wasn’t particularly a page turner but I found the conclusion to be gratifying.
Do you have any other recommendation from this country? Please share it in comments.
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