Culture

Ecuador is a multi cultural country. Approx. 35% of the 13.5 million inhabitants are indigineous folk, 45% are Mestizen (a mixture of inbred Indigeous and Spanish people), 10% of the population is white and 10% are Afro-Ecuadorians. There are big differences depending on the region you are in. In the highlands the proportion of Indigineous people is especially high. Along the coast, there is a big difference between people in the north and those in the south. The Province Esmeraldas in the north has the highest proportion of Afro-Ecuadorians. In the south you will find more Mestizen.
The pre Columbian inhabitants of Ecuador are famous for their impressive crafts: pottery, painting, sculptures, gold and silver art. The Spanish taught the local artists how to master the colonial religion art which was replaced at a later date by work such as the 'Hero of the Revolution'. Today typical souvenirs of the region include pieces of ceramic, jewellery, pieces of weaving, cane and pieces made of leather.
The traditional music of the Andes is unique, dominated by wind instruments and Percussion.