David Bowie 65x50 cm Acrylic on canvas

Chuck Berry 65x50 cm Acrylic on canvas

Carlos Santana 60x80 cm Acrylic on canvas

Don McLean 60X80 cm Acrylic on canvas

Elvis Presley 60X80 cm

Eric Clapton 90x65 cm Acrylic on canvas

Janis Joplin 90x65 cm Acrylic on canvas

Johnny Cash 90x65 cm Acrylic on canvas

Theo Marmolejo Constante

The from the other side of the world, Ecuador

�  The Republic of Ecuador straddles the Equator, and is bordered by Colombia to the north and northeast, and Peru to the south and southeast. Sitting on the equator between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador may be the smallest Andean nation but it’s packed with the most startling contrasts of scenery.

�  Although it is one of the smallest countries in South America (about the size of Nevada), Ecuador is one of the most geographically and ecologically diverse countries in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM-o1eesn4M

Ethnical Biodiversity

�  With its astounding biodiversity, impressive historical legacy, stunning colonial architecture, bustling highland markets and diverse mix of people – blacks, whites, indigenous and mestizo – it’s easy to see why this friendly and exotic destination is regarded as a microcosm of South America.

�  Ecuador’s regions provide a home to almost fifteen million people, the majority of whom live on the coast and in the sierra. For the most part, they are descendants of the various indigenous groups who first inhabited Ecuador’s territory twelve thousand years ago, Incas who colonized the land in the late fifteenth century, Spaniards who conquered the Incas in the 1530s and African slaves brought by Spanish colonists As in many parts of Latin America, social and economic divisions between indígenas, blacks, mestizos and an elite class of whites remain deeply entrenched, exacerbated by a slew of recurrent economic and political crises

�  Ecuador’s mainland divides neatly into three distinct regions running the length of the country in parallel strips. In the middle is the sierra, formed by the eastern and western chains of the Andes, which are punctuated by more than thirty volcanoes . As well it is part of the country’s oldest and most traditional cities, including Quito.

�  East of the sierra is the Oriente, a large, sparsely populated area extending into the upper Amazon basin, much of it covered by dense tropical rainforest

�  West of the sierra, in the coastal region, banana, sugar, coffee, rice and cacao crops line a fertile alluvial plain that is bordered on its Pacific seaboard by a string of beaches, mangrove swamps, shrimp farms and ports.

�  Almost a thousand kilometres of ocean separate the coastline from the Galápagos archipelago, famed for its wondrous endemic birds, mammals, reptiles and plants.

Culture, traditions and historical adventures

�  Ecuador is a tourists' paradise: there are literally hundreds of different activities catering for the tastes of all different types of holidaymakers - from hiking, scuba diving, skiing, climbing, and trekking, and so on, and so on.

Quito, colonial and cultural capital

A mixture od church spire, tiled roofs and skyscrapers glinting in the sunlight against the brooding backroom of volcano Pichincha, the second highest capital in

the world is a an enthralling blend of urban and traditional indigenous culture.

Cuenca, the colonial city

Pristine colonial architecture, cobbled streets, illustrious churches and flowering plazas give Cuenca a distinguished air and the well deserved reputation of being the

country’s most enchanting city.

Guayaquil, Malecon 2000

A triumph of urban renewal, this landmark transformation of a dangerous and dilapidated riverside walkway into the cultural and recreational heart of the city. It has

been leading force behind the renaissance of Guayaquil

Cotopaxi, be in the top of the world

Ecuador is a big draw for experiences climbers, but even novices , if fir. Fully acclimatized and under professional guidance, can have a crack at

the Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Galapagos wildlife

The fearless creatures eking out an existence on a few scarred volcanic islands the inspired Darwin still give an unparalleled insight into the mechanics of nature at one

od the world's most treasured wild life destinations.

Whale Watching

The heart- stopping sight of 30 tones humpback breaching and flopping back into the ocean amid towers of spray can be experience between June and September.

When they come to the Ecuadorian coast to breed.

Mama Negra Festival

One of the country’s best loved festivals feature a carnival of dazzling costumes, dancing troupes and marching bands parading through the streets of Latacunga.

The Devil’s nose, Train road

Experience one the world’ greatest train journey as it descends the Andres over the “Devil’s nose” in a sequence of thrilling switchback turn.

Horse riding

Brought by the conquistadores, horses may be late arrivals to Ecuador, but they are uniquely suited to depth exploration of the country’s sweeping highland landscapes.

Laguna Quilotoa

This glittering green crater lake sits at the heart of the Quilotoa Loop, a popular scenic diversion through the beguiling landscapes and villages of the rural central highlands.

The Paramo

High altitude grassland wildernesses rolling uninterrupted for miles between lonely/ Mist shrouded lakes in many country’s highland reserves. The Paramo is bleak, cold, and wet, but

hauntingly beautiful. The perfect sight for this landscape is the northern sierra.

Central Bank’s museaum

See the richies of more than five thousand years of Ecuadorian culture at the country’s top museum, which features some of the oldest ceramics discovered on the continent. Exquisite pre-Columbian worked gold, and masterpieces of colonial and modern art.

Otavalo, handicraft market

Even hardened skinflints wont be able to resist bagging a few of the fabulous handicrafts and weavings on offer at one of the largest and most colorful handicraft

market on the continent.

Contemporary art

Ecuador’s great modern artist are the conscience of the nation, Influential social commentators whose work, on view at several impressive galleries.

Banos

Wheter it’s nibbling on the local specialty, wallowing in thermal bath, or hiking, biking or rafting in the surrounding countryside, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in this charming spa town.

Ingapirca

Perched on a hillside overlooking serene pastoral countryside, Ecuador's best preserved Inca ruins exhibit the fine stonemasonry and trapezoidal doorway

that holds the hallmarks if the empire’s architecture.

La compania

Quito’s center is packed with magnificent churches, monasteries and convents, but few match “La compania” outstanding baroque façade and sumptuous interior.

Orchids

A miracle of biodiversity, Ecuador has more orchid species than any country on earth. The biggest orchid reserve is the reserve of Mindo

History

�  Ecuador's culture and history mirrors the diversity of its landscape. Like much of South America, Ecuador culture blends the influences of Spanish colonialism with the resilient traditions of pre-Columbian peoples

Food �  Ecuador is known for its

fabulous exotic fruits, high quality fish and seafood also some Andean potatoes.

�  At only pennies per bite, bakeries offer a delicious range of breads, sweet pastries, and savory snacks, such as empanadas (hot, crispy meat or cheese-filled pastries) and llapingachos (potato and cheese pancakes).

Ceviche

The bright, zesty flavour and tender of ceviche, seafood marinated in lime juice, have made it a native obsession, especially on the coast, where it makes the perfect

accompaniment to sun, a cold beer and a bowl of popcorn

Chocolate

Long the world’s prime cocoa producer, Ecuador was usurped by west Africa in

the twentieth century when mas produced choc.

Made with cheaper beans, it became fashionable, with gourmet chocolate in vogue again Ecuadorian cocoa farmers are busier than ever. Guayas province is scattered with family run plantations.

Coffee

As one of the biggest producer of coffee, Ecuador has a growing coffee tourism industry. The province of Guayas is dotted with plenty of farms with scenic routes, with several opportunities to stop for a black coffee a long the way.

Family

�  Family constituted the most enduring and esteemed institutions in the country's social fabric. Both Indian and Hispanic traditions emphasized the family; indeed, few alternative institutions competed for an individual's loyalty.