New Year in Ecuador is as much about the Old Year as the new. Effigies are made of old clothes stuffed with newspaper and adorned with a mask. These are known as the "Año Viejos" or Old Years, and are burnt at midnight on New Year's Eve. The idea is to leave any negativity or problems behind in the old year and start afresh.
The Republic of Ecuador has a non-interfering legislature and the executive powers are stored in the hands of the government. It is grounded on representative democracy, where the representatives of the people enjoy a good amount of authority, which can be twisted according to the demands of circumstances. The representatives come to power with the help of the majority voting. The President is gifted with a title of being the head of both, government and state.
Ecuador is a land of rich cultural and historical attractions, all set within a backdrop of natural wonders, with landscapes that range between lush, tropical rainforests and glaciated volcanoes. Whether exploring the exquisite churches of the nation’s capital, Quito, or whether whitewater rafting down pristine tributaries of the great river Amazon, visitors to the nation that straddles the Earth’s equator will come away with great travel memories. Here are the top tourist attractions in Ecuador not to be missed.