| Ecuador is a nation of over 13 million people, its area between that of the states of Wyoming and Colorado. Like the United States, Ecuador's government features a democratically elected President serving for a four-year term. The GalA!pagos Islands, well known as the birthplace of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, are part of a province of Ecuador.The History of Ecuador focuses primarily on the political history of Ecuador and how these past events impact the nation today. This text examines the traditions established by Ecuador's great caudillos (strong men) such as Juan JosA(c) Flores, Gabriel GarcA-a Moreno, and Eloy Alfaro, and documents the attempts of liberal leaders to modernize Ecuador by following the example of the United States. This book also discusses three economic booms in Ecuador's history: the Cacao Boom 18901914, the Banana Boom 19481960, and the Oil Boom 19721992. |
