MAY 13 - Republic of Ecuador Founded

On this day in 1830, the Republic of Ecuador was founded following the collapse of Gran Colombia. Gran Colombia, founded in 1819, included the territories of present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, as well as parts of northern Peru, western Guyana, and northwestern Brazil. The dissolution of Gran Colombia saw 3 new states emerge, Republic of New Granada (later changed to the Republic of Colombia), the Republic of Venezuela, and the Republic of Ecuador. General Juan José Flores became the first President of Ecuador, ruling from 1830 to 1834 and again from 1839 - 1845. In 1845, he was forced into exile due to the Marcist Rebellion. All of the turmoil and struggle for power came to a head in 1859 which is known in Ecuadorian history as the “Terrible Year. After the pivotal Battle of Guayaquil, fought 22-24 September 1860, the Provisional Government of Quito assumed power. Ecuador would continue to go through many changes, crisis’, and evolutions and is continuing this evolution today. The sovereign state of Ecuador is a middle-income representative democratic republic with a developing economy. It is 1 of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, playing host to many endemic plants and animals. In recognition of that unique ecological heritage, the new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature. Spanish is the official language of Ecuador but the government also recognizes 13 indigenous languages including Quichua. The capital of Ecuador is Quito and is located in the northern part of the country. Ecuador is also home to the famed Galápagos Islands, located 906 km (563 miles) off the west of the mainland.