Map of the former Gran Colombia in 1824 (Public Domain)
Gran Columbia ("Greater Columbia") was established in 1819 as part of the movement among Spanish colonies throughout the world seeking independence. It was roughly the same territory that comprised the Viceroyalty of New Grenada. Simón Bolívar, the great advocate for South American independence dreamed of uniting more of the Central and Southern American Spanish Colonies into a "United States of South America," but the ambitions of regional leaders constantly caused frication and revolt. The secession of Ecuador from Gran Colombia on May 13, 1830 was a bitter pill for Bolívar, who died just seven months later. Ecuador's early history was marked by periods of instability alternating with periods of dictatorial rule. Today, Ecuador is classified by the Global Freedom Index as "partly free" with a score of 67/100 and has shown slow but steady improvement in promotion democratic government under the Rule of Law.
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