The Republic of Ecuador was home to indigenous groups from the Inca Empire during the 15th century.  In 1820, what nowadays is Ecuador achieved its independence as part of Gran Colombia and emerged its own sovereign state ten years later.  The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador’s ethnically diverse population, with most of its people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of European, Amerindian and African descendants.

Ecuadorian economy is highly dependent on commodities like petroleum and agricultural products.  Its classified as a medium-income country.  In 2008, the new constitution was the first one in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature or ecosystem rights.  Ecuador is known for its richness in ecology, it is one of the seventeen megadiverse countries in the world and hosts many endemic plants and animals, such as those in the Galapagos Islands. This distinct fauna region, is famous as the place of birth of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ECUADOR MUSIC PROFILE

Pasillo is the national symbol of music for Ecuador.  This genre of music was originated in the 1800s during Ecuador’s Independence war and then developed into a love song as a result of the Liberal Revolution.  It is usually a down-tempo, played with a guitar and a rondin (similar to a flute).  Lyrics are sentimental and poetic, accompanied by melancholic melodies.