Ecuador - Culture Smart!

Book excerpt: Ecuador's population reflects a unique blend of cultures; from mountain peoples whose ancestors inhabited their highland villages before the arrival of the Incas, to the Afro-Ecuadorians of Esmeraldas, and the tribal peoples of the Amazonian rainforest. The people who inhabit the diverse landscapes of this beautiful land are proud, friendly, hospitable, and hardworking, but to understand the culture in any depth you need to know the complex historical divisions between the highlands and the coast, and the rigid class and racial discrimination that has dominated the country's history. This updated edition of the award-winning Culture Smart! guide to Ecuador takes you beyond the usual descriptions of what to see and digs into the heart of this multilayered nation to give you an insider's view of the people and their traditions, history, food, and culture, and the practical tools to make the most of your time there.