Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-086

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 13, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we learn a surprising location where the official currency is the U.S.D.

Free at Last – Ecuador

Ecuador declared independence from Grand Columbia, a Spanish created entity spanning northern portions of South America, on May 13, 1830.

Ecuador went through the political turmoil of military dictatorships typical of countries which were once Spanish colonies.  Today, Ecuador is a stable democracy and relies on oil, agriculture (number one in banana export) and tourism to fuel its economy.

The Galapagos Islands, made famous by Darwin, are part of Ecuador.  Its unique wildlife attracts many visitors.

If you visit, there is no need to change money, as the US Dollar is the official currency.  I wonder if the US Treasury should add the name Ecuador to USA on the bills… Probably not.

The 1855 map by Colton presented here shows northern South America, with Ecuador to the left, through Columbia and Venezuela.  This was more or less the old Grand Columbia.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.