What was Ecuador called before?

Before it became known simply as Ecuador, the territory encompassing the modern-day nation was part of larger historical entities, most notably the Ecuador Department of Gran Colombia and, prior to that, the Royal Audience of Quito.

The name "Ecuador" itself, meaning "Equator" in Spanish, is a shortened form of its official Spanish name, República del Ecuador (Republic of the Equator). This name was adopted following its separation from Gran Colombia, a vast federal republic in South America.

Historical Predecessors of Ecuador

The geographical area that constitutes present-day Ecuador underwent several transformations and was governed under different administrative names before achieving its current sovereign status. Understanding these earlier names provides insight into the nation's historical development.

The Royal Audience of Quito

In the colonial era, before the movements for independence, the region was a significant part of the Spanish Empire. It was primarily known as the Royal Audience of Quito (Real Audiencia de Quito). This administrative division was established in 1563 as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru and later became part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. It encompassed a territory roughly corresponding to modern Ecuador and parts of southern Colombia.

The Ecuador Department of Gran Colombia

Following the Wars of Independence from Spain, the territory of the Royal Audience of Quito became integrated into Gran Colombia. This immense republic, envisioned by Simón Bolívar, was formed in 1819 and included present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador.

Within Gran Colombia, the territory was reorganized into departments. The specific region corresponding to modern Ecuador was established in 1824 as the Ecuador Department. This marked a crucial step in the identity of the future nation, as it was the first time "Ecuador" was used as a formal administrative designation for the region.

From Department to Republic

In 1830, Gran Colombia dissolved, and the Ecuador Department declared its independence, forming the República del Ecuador. This republic then adopted "Ecuador" as its primary name, reflecting its location on the Equator.

Here's a summary of the historical names:

The evolution of these names reflects the journey from a colonial outpost to a constituent part of a larger independent state, and finally, to its own sovereign nation.