TABLE OF CONTENTS A TROPICAL PARADISE LOCATION LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATE WILDLIFE PEOPLE COMMUNITIES CUSTOMS SCHOOL AND WORK PLAY FOOD CELEBRATIONS TIMELINE ECUADOR FACTS GLOSSARY TO LEARN MORE INDEX 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 31 32
A TROPICAL PARADISE LAS PEÑAS GUAYAQUIL A family climbs a long stone staircase in the Las Peñas district of Guayaquil From the top they pause to watch the gleaming Guayas River below They walk by the multicolored houses of the city’s oldest neighborhood Some of the homes are now small cafés Stopping in one for lunch the family enjoys fresh encocado or fish with coconut sauce 4
OTHER TOP SITES CHURCH OF LA COMPAÑÍA DE JESÚS COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK CUYABENO WILDLIFE RESERVE OTAVALO MARKET In the afternoon they stroll along the boardwalk They enjoy the historic buildings such as the Torre Morisca clock tower After they shop for handmade souvenirs at the Mercado Artesanal Culture and delicious food are just some of the wonders of Ecuador 5
