Ecuador is located in South America, on the Equator it also extends into the sea up to the Galapagos Islands. The people of Ecuador speak Spanish, Quechua, and now English is starting to be part of the curriculum for students. Ecuador is the home of my entire family and perhaps the place of retirement of my parents. All this is possible since Ecuador branched off from Gran Colombia. Going even further back in time, Ecuador didn't just have a beginning to be what/where it is now. The history of Ecuador is said to be divided into five different phases or eras: pre-Columbian, the Conquest, the colonial period, the War of Independence, and the Republican era. These eras had to happen so that the place I call home could be what it is now. It has also undergone changes within the flag, which is used as a representation or symbol to show where you come from. The people of the city are also the heart of it, and over time they learn to adapt to the new life and new customs without losing the traditional ones. Ecuador has gone through many changes to get to where it is now. The fight has been tough for most, but in the end the nation is a strong nation. Many of the first indigenous civilizations arose during the pre-Columbian era. Civilizations such as the Las Vegas culture and the Valdivia culture emerged from the coast of Ecuador only to be conquered by the Incas. The Valdivia culture was the first to have a good amount of remains, so the discovery was significant. They are also the first Americans to use pottery, and some of that pottery still remains and is on display. It is said that different cultures gradually formed along the coast of Ecuador. With more and more cultures on the rise, it is... the focus of the paper... people have different opinions about his method, but it's all debatable. People now seem to be moving forward, the poverty rate has decreased. Works Cited "CIA - The World Factbook - Ecuador". Welcome to the CIA Central Intelligence Agency website. Network. February 26, 2010. "Ecuador - Flag." Network. February 27, 2010. "Ecuador (10/09)." US Department of State. Network. February 27, 2010. "Ecuador". Museum of Pre-Columbian Jade and Polished Stone. Network. February 27, 2010. "Gran Colombia (historical republic, South America) - Online Encyclopedia Britannica." Encyclopedia - Encyclopedia Britannica online. Network. February 27. 2010. .