I am a curious person and I want to know about this country I now call home. These are articles generated by ChatGPT about things I want to know about Ecuador.
I have divided them into categories, with some articles listed in multiple categories.
List of categories
- Living In Ecuador
- History and Culture
- Politics and Law
- Infrastructure and Energy
- Geography
- Economy and Business
- Local Loja
- Local Manabí
Living In Ecuador (practical explainers)
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Explainer: Why sea temperature can “run the weather” on Ecuador’s coast
“Ecuador’s coastal weather is strongly influenced by sea surface temperature. Small shifts in ocean warmth change humidity, cloud formation, and […]
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Explainer – Eggs, refrigerate or not
In Ecuador you’ll often see eggs sitting on the counter at the store (and at home), and it’s not because […]
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Explainer – Ecuador’s hydropower system (how it works, where it is, and why rain matters fast)
Ecuador’s Sistema Nacional Interconectado (SNI) leans heavily on hydroelectricity—at times covering around 90% of national demand (per CENACE figures cited […]
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Explainer- Ecuador’s health system (Public MSP/RPIS vs IESS vs Private) for immigrants:
Ecuador’s health care is best understood as a mixed, segmented system: you have a public network led by the Ministry […]
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Explainer- Electrical system Nov 2025
1. Big picture: why Ecuador’s electric system feels “fragile” Ecuador’s electricity is officially a public service run mainly by the […]
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Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy
Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy Over the last decade, Ecuador has gone from being […]
History and Culture
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The “Esmeraldas interception”: how Drake actually took the Cacafuego off Cabo San Francisco (1579)
The “Esmeraldas interception”: how Drake actually took the Cacafuego off Cabo San Francisco (1579) When people say “the Esmeraldas interception,” […]
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Part 2 Deep Dive: Francis Drake — the raid that put Ecuador’s coast on the pirate map
1) The Pacific wasn’t supposed to have pirates In the late 1500s, Spain’s enemies raided the Caribbean all the time—but […]
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Explainer- Piracy on Ecuador’s Coast — From Drake to Guayaquil
Today’s Explainer: Piracy on Ecuador’s Coast — From Drake to Guayaquil Night on the Guayas River is the wrong kind […]
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Explainer ( overview) Pre-Inca peoples of Ecuador: who they were, and what their world was like
Pre-Inca peoples of Ecuador: who they were, and what their world was like (friendly explainer) When people say “pre-Inca Ecuador,” […]
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Explainer – Chevron Case in Ecuador
Here’s a clear, date-anchored explainer of the Ecuador–Chevron case and where it stands as of today.Dec 11 2025 1. What […]
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Explainer- Daniel Noboa Current President
Here’s a fuller, friendlier explainer that leans more into who Noboa is, what correísmo means, and where he sits on […]
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Explainer – Rafael Correa
Rafael Correa is one of those figures you have to understand if you want to make sense of Ecuadorian politics […]
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Explainer – Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays,
Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays, and long arguments about “the gringos” 🌱 1. Where is Vilcabamba and why do […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Dollarization
1. How Ecuador ended up dollarized In the late 1990s Ecuador went through a devastating crisis: On 9 January 2000, […]
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Explainer – The Incas in Ecuador
this article was created by ChatGPT. The Incas in Ecuador: a short, sharp empire on an ancient land 1. Before […]
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Explainer – Japotó / Charapotó and the Archaeological Site
1. Where is Japotó, exactly? Japotó is an archaeological site located in the community of Santa Teresa, between Charapotó and […]
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Explainer – San Jacinto, Charapotó, Portoviejo, the Spanish… and the “gold question”
When you stand on the beach at San Jacinto or look across the estuary at La Boca, you’re basically standing […]
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EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s National Assembly Works (and how it connects to the President)
The Asamblea Nacional is Ecuador’s single national parliament – it’s unicameral, meaning there’s just one chamber, not two like in […]
Politics and Law
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Explainer: Ecuador’s “Triple A” case (ongoing)
Explainer: Ecuador’s “Triple A” case (ongoing) First, a quick clarification because the name causes constant confusion: the “Caso Triple A” […]
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Explainer – Ecuador Legal System Part 3- Family Law
Ecuador Family Law for Immigrants Marriage, unión de hecho, divorce, children, and inheritance (including wills) — with Canada comparisons Ecuador […]
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Explainer- Ecuador Legal System Part 2 – Civil
Civil-Law Disputes in Ecuador (Contractors, Car Repairs, Services) — An Immigrant Explainer with Canada Comparison This explainer focuses on everyday […]
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Explainer – Ecuador Legal system Part 1 Criminal
Ecuador’s Legal System — an Immigrant-Friendly Explainer (with Canada comparison) Audience: Immigrants/expats who are used to other legal systems (especially […]
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Explainer – Chevron Case in Ecuador
Here’s a clear, date-anchored explainer of the Ecuador–Chevron case and where it stands as of today.Dec 11 2025 1. What […]
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Explainer- Sinohydro bribery -Dec 10 2025
Here’s an Explainer on the Sinohydro bribery case in Ecuador — neutral, friendly, and up to date as of 10 […]
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Explainer- Daniel Noboa Current President
Here’s a fuller, friendlier explainer that leans more into who Noboa is, what correísmo means, and where he sits on […]
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Explainer – Rafael Correa
Rafael Correa is one of those figures you have to understand if you want to make sense of Ecuadorian politics […]
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Explainer- The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies
The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies (with Crucita, San Clemente, San Jacinto, Canoa, Chone, Calceta, Tosagua, Rocafuerte, […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Dollarization
1. How Ecuador ended up dollarized In the late 1990s Ecuador went through a devastating crisis: On 9 January 2000, […]
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Explainer – Portoviejo’s Urban Lab
Here’s your explainer, with a short bilingual wrap-up at the end.(And as requested on earlier pieces: this article was created […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Oil
Here we go—Ecuador & oil, big-picture explainer. 1. Why oil still matters so much to Ecuador Oil is still one […]
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Explainer Manta’s hydrosanitary master plan:
Explainer / Explicador Manta’s hydrosanitary master plan: how it works, who pays for it, and what it means for the […]
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Explainer- Ecuador’s place in the world
Here’s today’s explainer on Ecuador’s place in the world and how it deals with its main partners. 1. Big picture: […]
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Explainer -Ecuador and Mining
Here’s your explainer on mining in Ecuador, with Dundee / Loma Larga folded in. 1. Big picture: where mining fits […]
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Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy
Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy Over the last decade, Ecuador has gone from being […]
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EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s National Assembly Works (and how it connects to the President)
The Asamblea Nacional is Ecuador’s single national parliament – it’s unicameral, meaning there’s just one chamber, not two like in […]
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EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s national budget is made
EN: The Presupuesto General del Estado (PGE) is basically the country’s yearly money plan. It estimates how much money the […]
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Why Do Investors See Ecuador as “High Risk”?
Why Do Investors See Ecuador as “High Risk”?Written with ChatGPT (GPT-5.1 Thinking) When news sites or banks talk about “sovereign […]
Infrastructure and Energy
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Explainer – Ecuador’s hydropower system (how it works, where it is, and why rain matters fast)
Ecuador’s Sistema Nacional Interconectado (SNI) leans heavily on hydroelectricity—at times covering around 90% of national demand (per CENACE figures cited […]
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Explainer- Ecuador’s health system (Public MSP/RPIS vs IESS vs Private) for immigrants:
Ecuador’s health care is best understood as a mixed, segmented system: you have a public network led by the Ministry […]
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Explainer – Portoviejo’s Urban Lab
Here’s your explainer, with a short bilingual wrap-up at the end.(And as requested on earlier pieces: this article was created […]
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Explainer plus-Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion
Uso de piedras grandes (riprap) para controlar la erosión costera Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion 1. […]
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Explainer- Coastal erosion and sea-level rise on Ecuador’s coast
(with examples from San Jacinto & San Clemente) 1. What is coastal erosion? English Coastal erosion is the gradual loss […]
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Explainer- Electrical system Nov 2025
1. Big picture: why Ecuador’s electric system feels “fragile” Ecuador’s electricity is officially a public service run mainly by the […]
Local Loja
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Explainer – Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays,
Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays, and long arguments about “the gringos” 🌱 1. Where is Vilcabamba and why do […]
Local Manabí
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Explainer- The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies
The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies (with Crucita, San Clemente, San Jacinto, Canoa, Chone, Calceta, Tosagua, Rocafuerte, […]
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Explainer – Portoviejo’s Urban Lab
Here’s your explainer, with a short bilingual wrap-up at the end.(And as requested on earlier pieces: this article was created […]
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Explainer Manta’s hydrosanitary master plan:
Explainer / Explicador Manta’s hydrosanitary master plan: how it works, who pays for it, and what it means for the […]
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Explainer plus-Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion
Uso de piedras grandes (riprap) para controlar la erosión costera Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion 1. […]
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Explainer- Coastal erosion and sea-level rise on Ecuador’s coast
(with examples from San Jacinto & San Clemente) 1. What is coastal erosion? English Coastal erosion is the gradual loss […]
Geography
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Explainer: Why sea temperature can “run the weather” on Ecuador’s coast
“Ecuador’s coastal weather is strongly influenced by sea surface temperature. Small shifts in ocean warmth change humidity, cloud formation, and […]
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Explainer – Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays,
Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays, and long arguments about “the gringos” 🌱 1. Where is Vilcabamba and why do […]
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Explainer- The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies
The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies (with Crucita, San Clemente, San Jacinto, Canoa, Chone, Calceta, Tosagua, Rocafuerte, […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Oil
Here we go—Ecuador & oil, big-picture explainer. 1. Why oil still matters so much to Ecuador Oil is still one […]
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Explainer- Ecuador Weather
Here we go — weather-nerd hat on. ☁️🌧️ 1. Why Ecuador’s weather feels “weird” compared to North America Ecuador sits […]
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Explainer – The Economic Hierarchy of Ecuadorian Cities
(Article created by ChatGPT / Artículo creado por ChatGPT) 1. What this article does (and doesn’t) do 1. Qué hace […]
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Explainer plus-Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion
Uso de piedras grandes (riprap) para controlar la erosión costera Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion 1. […]
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Explainer- Coastal erosion and sea-level rise on Ecuador’s coast
(with examples from San Jacinto & San Clemente) 1. What is coastal erosion? English Coastal erosion is the gradual loss […]
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Explainer- Ecuador’s place in the world
Here’s today’s explainer on Ecuador’s place in the world and how it deals with its main partners. 1. Big picture: […]
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Explainer -Ecuador and Mining
Here’s your explainer on mining in Ecuador, with Dundee / Loma Larga folded in. 1. Big picture: where mining fits […]
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Explainer- Electrical system Nov 2025
1. Big picture: why Ecuador’s electric system feels “fragile” Ecuador’s electricity is officially a public service run mainly by the […]
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Ecuador’s Real Economy: Value and Cost of Its Key Sectors
Ecuador’s Real Economy: Value and Cost of Its Key Sectors When people talk about Ecuador’s economy, they usually mention oil […]
Economy and Business
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Explainer: Ecuador’s “Triple A” case (ongoing)
Explainer: Ecuador’s “Triple A” case (ongoing) First, a quick clarification because the name causes constant confusion: the “Caso Triple A” […]
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Explainer – Ecuador’s hydropower system (how it works, where it is, and why rain matters fast)
Ecuador’s Sistema Nacional Interconectado (SNI) leans heavily on hydroelectricity—at times covering around 90% of national demand (per CENACE figures cited […]
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Explainer- Sinohydro bribery -Dec 10 2025
Here’s an Explainer on the Sinohydro bribery case in Ecuador — neutral, friendly, and up to date as of 10 […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Dollarization
1. How Ecuador ended up dollarized In the late 1990s Ecuador went through a devastating crisis: On 9 January 2000, […]
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Explainer – Ecuador and Oil
Here we go—Ecuador & oil, big-picture explainer. 1. Why oil still matters so much to Ecuador Oil is still one […]
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Explainer – The Economic Hierarchy of Ecuadorian Cities
(Article created by ChatGPT / Artículo creado por ChatGPT) 1. What this article does (and doesn’t) do 1. Qué hace […]
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Explainer- Ecuador’s place in the world
Here’s today’s explainer on Ecuador’s place in the world and how it deals with its main partners. 1. Big picture: […]
-
Explainer -Ecuador and Mining
Here’s your explainer on mining in Ecuador, with Dundee / Loma Larga folded in. 1. Big picture: where mining fits […]
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Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy
Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy Over the last decade, Ecuador has gone from being […]
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Ecuador’s Real Economy: Value and Cost of Its Key Sectors
Ecuador’s Real Economy: Value and Cost of Its Key Sectors When people talk about Ecuador’s economy, they usually mention oil […]
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EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s National Assembly Works (and how it connects to the President)
The Asamblea Nacional is Ecuador’s single national parliament – it’s unicameral, meaning there’s just one chamber, not two like in […]
List of explainers in order of publishing
- Explainer: Why sea temperature can “run the weather” on Ecuador’s coast
- Explainer – Eggs, refrigerate or not
- Explainer: Ecuador’s “Triple A” case (ongoing)
- The “Esmeraldas interception”: how Drake actually took the Cacafuego off Cabo San Francisco (1579)
- Part 2 Deep Dive: Francis Drake — the raid that put Ecuador’s coast on the pirate map
- Explainer- Piracy on Ecuador’s Coast — From Drake to Guayaquil
- Explainer – Ecuador’s hydropower system (how it works, where it is, and why rain matters fast)
- Explainer- Ecuador’s health system (Public MSP/RPIS vs IESS vs Private) for immigrants:
- Explainer ( overview) Pre-Inca peoples of Ecuador: who they were, and what their world was like
- Explainer – Ecuador Legal System Part 3- Family Law
- Explainer- Ecuador Legal System Part 2 – Civil
- Explainer – Ecuador Legal system Part 1 Criminal
- Explainer – Chevron Case in Ecuador
- Explainer- Sinohydro bribery -Dec 10 2025
- Explainer- Daniel Noboa Current President
- Explainer – Rafael Correa
- Explainer – Vilcabamba, Loja: long lives, long holidays,
- Explainer- The Portoviejo–Manta–Bahía Corridor: One Coastal Region, Three Different Economies
- Explainer – Ecuador and Dollarization
- Explainer – The Incas in Ecuador
- Explainer – Portoviejo’s Urban Lab
- Explainer – Ecuador and Oil
- Explainer- Ecuador Weather
- Explainer Manta’s hydrosanitary master plan:
- Explainer – The Economic Hierarchy of Ecuadorian Cities
- Explainer plus-Use of large rocks (riprap) to control coastal erosion
- Explainer- Coastal erosion and sea-level rise on Ecuador’s coast
- Explainer- Ecuador’s place in the world
- Explainer -Ecuador and Mining
- Explainer – Japotó / Charapotó and the Archaeological Site
- Explainer – San Jacinto, Charapotó, Portoviejo, the Spanish… and the “gold question”
- Explainer- Electrical system Nov 2025
- Explainer – How the Illegal Drug Trade Is Affecting Ecuador’s Economy
- Ecuador’s Real Economy: Value and Cost of Its Key Sectors
- EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s National Assembly Works (and how it connects to the President)
- EXPLAINER – How Ecuador’s national budget is made
- Why Do Investors See Ecuador as “High Risk”?
