Amazing Photos of Ecuador in the Late 1950s

Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland. The capital is Quito.

The sovereign state of Ecuador is a middle-income representative democratic republic and a developing country that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. The country is a founding member of the United Nations, Organization of American States, Mercosur, PROSUR and the Non-Aligned Movement.

One of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador hosts many endemic plants and animals, such as those of the Galápagos Islands. In recognition of its unique ecological heritage, the new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature, or ecosystem rights.

These amazing photos from Bob McCleskey were taken by Ernst Leonhardt that show street scenes of Ecuador in 1959.

Ecuador. Tulcan main street, 1959

Ecuador. Between Ibarra and San Antonio de Ibarra, 1959

Ecuador. Bitter cold at night, but most bare footed, 1959

Ecuador. Bus between Cuenca and Pasaje. People in front, cows in rear, chickens on top, 1959

Ecuador. Cajabamba hot peppers, food highly seasoned, 1959

Ecuador. Cajabamba market day, 1959

Ecuador. Chickens going to market, tied by feet in big bundle but all still alive, 1959

Ecuador. Ibarra sheep girls. Donkey used as "leader" of flock, 1959

Ecuador. Indians carrying wood, 1959

Ecuador. Main road out of town to Pan Am Highway, 1959

Ecuador. Old lady in black has just unloaded smoked pig from stooped back, children helping, 1959

Ecuador. Oxen pulling wood on Pan Am Highway just above Tulcan, 1959

Ecuador. Pasaje old saddles, 1959

Ecuador. Pasaje, 1959

Ecuador. People streaming into market in early morning. Many trot all the way (for miles) with loads on their backs, 1959

Ecuador. Quito cathedrals. Quito still a small, beautiful city with no slums, 1959

Ecuador. Quito government building, 1959

Ecuador. Quito typical street scene, 1959

Ecuador. Tobacco and vegetable area. Each type of produce strictly assigned to own areas. Had to pay a city tax to set up shop here, 1959

Ecuadorian children, 1959