Ecuador in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture

By Wilma Roos

Book Overview

This new series of country guides is designed for travellers and students who want to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of a country. Each In Focus guide is a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the country's people, politics and culture.The In Focus guides will brief you on: The history: Conquest, life as a colony, quest for independence and the building of a modern nation. How history can help explain today's society and politics.The people: Who lives where, how they live. The different worlds of the poor and the rich; blacks, Indians and whites; Arabs and Jews; indigenous, disenfranchised and dispossessed peoples; human rights.The culture: What to read, what to see, what to hear. Who's who in literature, music, dance, theater and cinema. Roots and rites of different religions. Folk traditions and indigenous cultural celebrations.The politics: Who runs the country, who wants to run the country. Power and conflict between political parties, the military, guerillas and grassroots organizations. Historical ties to the U.S.The economy: What the country produces and exports, how the economy has developed, the impact of foreign debt and free market reforms, who gains and who loses, presence and role of U.S. corporations.Where to go, what to see: Must-see landmarks, lists of monuments and historical sites as well as the author's expert tips on what to see and do to get the most out of a short trip to the country.Plus...-- Facts and figures-- Chronology-- Practical advice-- Nontourist travel-- Further reading-- Useful addresses-- Color and b&w photos-- Maps

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566563852
• ISBN13: 9781566563857
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Latin America Bureau
• Length: 100 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

brief but honest picture of Ecuador

This short book packs in a great deal of honest and accurate information about the beautiful, complex, culturally rich, and ecologically threatened country of Ecuador. It is not a tourist guide, but recommended for prospective visitors who want to understand the culture and politics of Ecuador, and understand it quickly. It is especially valuable for its summary of the destructive effects of the petroleum industry on the ecology and economy of the country, and for its its brief but accurate introduction to the country's powerful indigenous movement. It gives a sense of the country's cultural riches, and has some great color photos.

For those who want good solid information

If you are looking for a good overview of Ecuador without all of the tourist related fluff, this is the book for you. It briefly covers topics from Ecuador's early history right up to present day politics, people and enviroment.