Ecuador

Ecuador is a South American country that shares its borders with Peru and Colombia. The country also has a maritime border on the Pacific Ocean. As its name suggests, Ecuador lies on the equatorial line, which crosses the country from north to south. The capital of Ecuador is Quito, but the largest city is Guayaquil. The country boasts great geographical diversity, represented by 3 main regions: the Pacific coast, the sierra (mountains) and the Amazon. Each of these regions has its own unique landscapes, climate and biodiversity.

Ecuador’s population is of mixed race, heir to both indigenous and Spanish cultures. The country therefore boasts great cultural diversity. Marked by Spanish colonization and the struggle for independence in 1830, Ecuador has a rich history. Today, the country is a republic headed by a president with a centralized government in Quito. Despite political instability, the country is making steady progress in the fields of democracy and human rights.

Ecuador is heavily dependent on its natural resources for its economy. Ecuador’s varied flora and fauna attract a considerable number of tourists every year. However, the country faces a number of challenges, including environmental conservation, the need for balanced economic development, the fight against poverty, and the preservation of indigenous peoples.

It is therefore interesting to understand how sustainable tourism could help meet these challenges. Thanks to the Terre Solidaire exploration mission, Justine was able to meet one of our partner associations: ATASIM. An organization whose aim is to promote, assist and carry out development activities in the social and economic fields through entrepreneurship and innovation, thus contributing to the emancipation of Amazonian families in the province of Morona Santiago.