This is Ecuador Travel Guide - Ecuador: Galapagos Islands, Andes, Amazon, Pacific Coast

Illustration of a colorful shigra handbag. These hand-woven bags originated as a practical article created by women and for women in the Central Andean provinces of Cotopaxi, Tunguragua and Chimborazo. Until recent years, women used these bags to carry seeds and plants. In fact, some authors believe that the different size shigras were used as a unit of measurement. Originally, the shigra was adorned with human and also some animal forms, but today the women have become more lenient towards abstract design.

The availability of llamas, alpacas, cotton and other natural fibers gave way to the development of textiles in the Andes. Some elaborate fabrics were considered so precious, that they were used to trade goods, and even offered as sacrifices to the sun god Inti! The Andean tradition of transforming fiber into art is ever present in the indigenous markets all along the Ecuadorian highlands.

Illustration of tupus, metal pins used to ornament and fasten together shawls of indigenous women in Andean culture. Despite the fact that indigenous dress in Ecuador has changed and evolved over the centuries, tupus have been an essential part of women's garments for over a thousand years.

Illustration of a Sally lightfoot Crab - Zayapa (Graspus graspus). These colorful crabs, also known as 'Red Rock Crabs', are abundant on the Galapagos, and live amongst the rocks at the often turbulent, windy shores, just above the limit of the seaspray. The young are black and well-camoflaged against the volcanic rocks. The adults are bright red. These crabs primarily eat attached algae such as red algal turf and Ulva. They are skittish and run away as you get close to them. In this respect, they are very different from most of the other animals in the Galapagos.

Illustration inspired in designs found on Amazonian ceramic bowls. Women from the Quichua culture elaborate these pottery pieces, known as mucahuas. The designs are painted with a brush made from the same women's hair. The exuberant wildlife of the Amazonia and the complex Cosmo vision of its people are reflected in these pieces of art, in which the practical and symbolic intertwine as the material and spiritual worlds do for the Quichuas.

Illustration inspired in a Tigua painting. The Tigua village is found in the region with the same name, close to Zumbahua in the Cotopaxi Province (Southern Andes). Tigua art is extremely colorful and traditionally rather flat. This is why it is called “naïf” art. The themes depicted recreate traditional life, with bucolic scenery, quaint adobe houses, sheep, llamas, and snow-caped mountains.

Colorful and folkloric marzipan figurines are elaborated in Calderón, a dry village North of Quito. Originally most traditional shapes were bread children, little horses or llamas. But now artisans have branched out to more creative design: nativity scenes, picture frames, dolls, napkin holders, Christmas tree decoration, etc. These marzipan figurines used to be part of the All Souls Day tradition.

Perhaps the most interesting, because of their symbolism and popularity, are the “Año Viejo” and the “Corpus Christi” masks.

Illustration inspired by symbols of the Secoya indigenous culture of the Amazonian region. According to the Amazonian cultures' Cosmo vision, red and black are the basic colors of life. Red symbolizes strength, power, luck, fertility and terrestrial life; while black represents mystic life and the hidden forces of the rainforest. More information »

Illustration inspired on the cloud forests that dress the steep slopes of the Andes with their generous vegetation. These forests are correctly termed pre-montane/ subtropical rain forests, and are one of the richest ecosystems of the world.

Did you know that three out of each ten bananas in the world are produced in Ecuador? Ecuadorian bananas are found worldwide under the following brands: Bonita, Dole, Chiquita, Favorita, Del Monte, Goldfinger, among others. The country's favorable climate and luminosity all throughout the year, added to highly fertile soils, allows for a rich high-quality banana production. For more information about bananas and other tropical plantations, our section Haciendas in the Coastal region

Illustration inspired in one of the most traditional neighborhoods in colonial Quito: La Ronda Street. This short two - block street was recently restored, bringing back its long artistic and bohemian tradition. A variety of cultural activities are organized both on the street and inside the different bars and cafeterias.

During this month of May, the green marine turtles (Chelonia midas) are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas (Galapagos). These herbivorous sea turtles are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN.

On the past month of April, UNESCO delegates visited the Galapagos Islands and confirmed serious threats to the conservation of this unique archipelago, and welcomed ambitious measures announced by the Ecuadorian government to preserve this site on the UNESCO's World Heritage List

Illustration inspired in the explosion of colors, music and folklore that suppose the Inti Raymi festivities. These celebrations of the sun and harvest start on June 21st, during the summer solstice, and are one of the most important ancestral traditions of the indigenous communities of the Northern Sierra of Ecuador.

Illustration inspired in the various colorful handcrafts that are produced in the country. This month we have introduced a new section in our magazine, which aims to share with our readers the richness of Ecuadorian products, which together with the skillful hands of its inhabitants, result in amazing handcrafts. Enjoy our first article, prepared by Folklore Olga Fisch: “Tagua: Carving an Alternative Future”.

In Ecuador, especially in Quito and Ambato, artisans have been passing the skill of candle- making from generation to generation since the end of the XIX Century. These colorful cirios (candles) handmade in the country are especially used for religious ceremonies and processions. Given that Holy Week represents the most important time for Catholics, this time of the year is an opportunity for visitors to witness first-hand the extent of the Ecuadorians' faith and the many traditions that are practiced throughout the country.

A fascinating vision of the Ecuadorian Handicrafts is exposed at the new Ethno historic Museum of Handicrafts in Quito. This interesting museum has been recently inaugurated. It offers the North Andean and Amazonic Cosmo vision through the interpretation of the work that these cultures have done on the past and now a days. These cultures are still living in the territory that today is Ecuador.

We dedicate this cover to the Amazon region. On February 12th, 1542, Francisco de Orellana and his crew flowed into a river of enormous proportions later to be called Amazonas, after a navigation that started on the Napo River, Ecuador. The expedition's initial goal was that of reaching “El Dorado” and the “Canela Country”, which were rumored to be located East of Quito.

The Polylepis forest that belongs to El Angel Ecological Reserve is the only millenarian Polylepis tree forest in the world. This tree, also known as “paper tree”, is famous for its fine bark that is constantly being shed. Up in the paramo lays a small valley of glacial origin that covers 12 hectares of this marvelous forest.

The Ecuadorian Rainforest is a unique ecosystem: a paradise for nature lovers and scientists. Take an adventure into this area of exuberant vegetation and visit the San Rafael Waterfalls as well.

Ecuador is developing specialized tourism. Use “This is Ecuador” to take a quick but magnificent trip through Ecuador.

The Spring Equinox takes place on March 21 so during the entire month the Indigenous Communities from the province of Imbabura celebrate the Pawkar Raymi, festivities to honor the germination of the seeds, thanking the Pacha Mama (mother earth) for allowing their crops to grow. Dances, parades, traditional rituals, and even sport events are part of this celebration.

The VII edition of BITE (Bolsa de Turismo del Ecuador) will take place in Cuenca on the 19, 20, and 21 of April. For this reason THIS IS ECUADOR dedicates its cover to this charming city that with its unique republican architecture, location surrounded by rivers, outstanding handicrafts, and diverse cultural offer, is a jewel in the Andean valley.

Ecuador is a rich country in avifauna with 17% of the species of the birds in the world. Ideal for birdwatchers. In this month’s edition we highlight how this resource is developing a specialized tourism. Loja Province, located in the southern sierra, takes special care of it’s reserves such as the Tapicha laca where the Jocotoco Antpitta was discovered in 1997.

The Galapagos Islands were incorporated as Ecuadorian Territory on February 12, 1832. To honor this unique natural resource, and extraordinary tourist destination. "This is Ecuador" presents an article on Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the tourist capitan of the Archipelago. Our designer dedicates this month's cover to the grandeur of Galapagos on land as in the sea.