Cultures of the Equator Line

All the cultures of the equator line are special, Ecuador is a multi-ethnic and multicultural country. Although the population was heavily concentrated in the Andes highlands region a few decades ago, today it is divided about equally between that area and the coast. While you’re in Ecuador, you can learn a vast amount of information about local traditions. As you travel through Ecuador, you’ll likely be amazed at its natural biodiversity. Similarly, the country boasts diversity among its people and culture.

Most people travel to Ecuador to see and experience flora and fauna they might otherwise never see, not realizing how unique the culture is here. An interesting fact is that migration toward cities – particularly Quito and Guayaquil increased in the last decades. As varied as the landscapes of the Andes Mountains and the rainforest through which this journey will take you, so diverse are the people you will be encountering here.

Cultures

From the Otavaleños and Afro Ecuadorians in the north to the Quichua and Shuar in the rainforest, and finally to the Kichwa in the central Andes at the foothills of the mighty volcano Chimborazo. Ecuador’s indigenous population comprises many groups. After the arrival of the Spanish, some tribes were wiped out. Others have dwindled in number due to the loss of land.

Each culture of the equator line strives to maintain its own identity and history, while also charting a meaningful path into the future. Due to Ecuador’s compact and diverse nature, one can experience any number of Ecuador’s distinct cultures within one day. Journeying just a few hours by car or bus, you can arrive in an entirely new community with its own customs and flavor.

In addition to numerous and varied native cultures, Ecuador has a thriving Mestizo culture, and a sizable Afro-Ecuadorian culture, the descendants of African slaves who worked on coastal sugar plantations in the sixteenth century. Ecuadorians rely heavily on their neighbors, even in urban Ecuador, there is a strong emphasis on the nuclear family, due in large part to the pervasiveness of Roman Catholicism. You will experience the diversity of fascinating Cultures on the Equator!