Description
Long before the Incas settled in the region in the 15th century, Ecuador was home to various indigenous cultures. Most of them lived on the coast and in the highlands. The most important tribes were the expansionist Caracas on the coast and the more peaceful Quitus in the highlands. The Caracas, led by their chief Shyri, eventually conquered the Quitus. Together, they became the Shyris tribe. In the 15th century, the Incas settled in Ecuador. The heart of the Inca Empire lay in Cuzco, from where it expanded into northwestern Argentina, northern Chile, and southern Ecuador. In 1529, the Inca leader Huayna Capac died. Unlike traditional rule, he left his empire not to one of his sons, but to two: Huascar received the south, centered in Cuzco. And Atahualpa received the north, centered in present-day Quito. Ultimately, Atahualpa managed to capture Huascar. Atahualpa took up residence in Cajamarca (in present-day Peru), surrounded by a vast army. The Andes Mountains run through the center of the country from north to south. The capital, Quito, and the third-largest city, Cuenca, lie in the high mountains, at an altitude of 2,500 meters. The climate there is mild. The mountains also contain several volcanoes reaching heights of 5,000 to 6,000 meters. Several of these are still active. The Amazon rainforest lies in the east of the country. The climate there is tropical: warm and humid. The numerous rivers in this region are all branches of the Amazon. The Galapagos Islands are considered the fourth largest region of Ecuador. Unique flora and fauna have developed on these islands.
