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General Information
Languages and etnies
Spanish is the official and business language.
English is spoken extensively, especially in business
circles. According to the Unesco’s Atlas, Ecuador
has 14 languages vulnerable but according to the
UN 8 are in "critical condition of extinction”. Of this
group, two are considered extinct: Ando and Tetete.
Sia Padee and Zapara have been placed in the
critically endangered category.
Ancestral languages of the Ecuadorian Amazon:
1. Paikoka: Language spoken by the Sekoya
Nationality.
2. Shiwiar Chicham: the Shiwiar nationality speaks.
3. Achuar Chicham: The language spoken by the
Achuar nationality.
4. A’ingae: The dialect used by Ai, commonly
known as Cofán. This tribe hail from Aguarico and
San Miguel which are situated in the province of
Sucumbios. The speaking communities of a'ingae
are: Dureno, Duvuno, Sinang, Bermejo, Chad,
Chang Na'en.
5. Waotededo: Language spoken by the Wao tribein
the areas of the Yasuni rivers, Cononaco Curaray
Nushiño and in the provinces of Napo and Pastaza.
6. Shuar Chicham: Spoken by the Shuar tribe,
otherwise known as Jivaros because of their warrior
attitude. These indigenous peoples are located in
Zamora Chinchipe, Morona Santiago and Pastaza
and to some extent in Napo, Sucumbíos and in some
coastal provinces.
7. Kayapi or Sapara Atupama: Language spoken
by the Sapara tribe. It is declared as a national and
intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
8. Baikok: Located in Curaray and in the northern
Culture
Ecuadorian culture is diverse and wide-reaching. It has
been influenced by Spanish conquerors, ancient traditions
and prehistoric customs. The population is composed of
many ethnic groups and as a result is immensely diverse.
Classical music concerts happen all year round
province of Pastaza and in Balsaura. is the only Ec-
uadorian language that indicates gender in the verb.
Indigenous languages of the coast:
1. Awapit: Belongs to the Chibcha linguistic family.
The Awa tribe and their language are present in both
Ecuador and Colombia. They can be found on the
borders of Carchi and Esmeraldas and in the north-
western part of Imbabura.
2. Pede Zia: This language belongs to the Epera tribe.
They are situated in the province of Esmeraldas.
3. Cha’palaa: Language Spoken by the Chachi
"cayapas tribe". They can be found in the Cayapas
river and in Muisne Canandé in Esmeraldas.
4. Tsafiqui: Meaning "man's tongue"is that language
of the Tsa'chila tribe. They are located in the more
modern province of Santo Domingo de los Tsa'chila,
formerly part of the province of Pichincha.
Language spoken throughout the country:
Kichwa: Language spoken by the 14 towns of
the Kichwa tribue that are situated in the Amazon,
the Coast and throughout the Andean region.
The speakers of this language are located in the
provinces of the inter-Andean corridor and throughout
the east. Migration processes have also led to the
use of Quechua being maintained in some coastal
provinces.
Galapagos Islands, for which the country is most
well known.
Ecuador has 1,600 bird species (15% of the world's
known bird species) in the continental area and there
are 38 more endemic species in the Galápagos. In
addition to over 16,000 species of plants, the coun-
try has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphib-
ians, and 6,000 species of butterfly. The Galápagos
Islands are well known for their distinct fauna, re-
knowned as the place of birth of Darwin's Theory of
Evolution and it is listed as a UNESCO World Herit-
age Site.