Category: Ecuador Facts & Information

Just some updates on the latest events happening now with Cotopaxi volcano, here in Ecuador. Early on Friday, the iconic volcano spewed a three-mile-high column of ash (two explosions), urging authorities to raise the warning level to yellow, signifying that residents should keep alert. The level warnings are yellow, orange and red. Reports of ash rain and the smell of sulfur are present in the southern area of Quito, especially in Machachi, Ecuador following Cotopaxi volcano explosion. However precautions should be taken, authorities stressed that the explosions and a five-kilometer- (3-mile-) high plume of ash do not signify that the volcano is about to erupt. Actually, Ecuador’s highest active volcano has been showing signs of activity since April 2015, and it has been kept under close monitoring for a long time now. Nonetheless, president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa has declared state of emergency and the yellow alert I now accompanied with a preventive evacuation of areas nearby the volcano which include Lasso, Mulaló and some regions of Latacunga (Cotopaxi Provice). As happens with this kind of events, much speculation has been going on, overstated comments have been circulating the country. As stressed by Ph.D Professor Theofilus Toulkeridis, an expert in Volcanology, Geochemistry, Geography, there is no need for unnecessary alarm. Here’s an extract from his Facebook wall: “Remember , the Cotopaxi volcano is active !!!  Meaning, lava is going to appear at some point, as well as some pyroclastic flows etc etc etc. This does not necessarily means that lava lahars will reach populations nearby. I’ve explained so many time before that we might have to live with this kind of activity for months to come. Obviously, when misinterpreted information is spread ( i.e. phreatic explosions etc.) preprogrammed chaos will arise”. Still, here’s some useful info regarding the recent event

Being stated as the unchallenged host for the FIFA Tournament in 2007, Brazil has once again been selected to be the venue for the FIFA World Cup 2014! The matches of FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil will be played among 12 prominent stadiums across the country. Brazil is all set to host the excitement and madness of FIFA 2014. Let us take a view of 12 Stadiums that are included in this List of Stadiums for the 2014 World Cup. 1. Arena De Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo The opening match of FIFA 2014, Brazil will be held in this brand new stadium. Long back in 1978, the Corinthians were granted permission to build a stadium for themselves. The construction of this enormous stadium that has the capacity of 65,807 seats (including 20,000 seats) was begun in 2010. This Stadium is situated on a plateau at the southeast, close to the Atlantic Coast and is just about 269 miles from Rio. The matches that will be hosted here on the respective dates are as follows: 12 June: Brazil vs Croatia, 21:00 19 June: Uruguay vs England, 20:00 23 June: Netherlands vs Chile, 17:00 26 June: South Korea vs Belgium, 21:00 1 July: Second Round, Winner Group F vs Runner Up Group E, 17:00 9 July: Semi Final, Winner Quarter Final 3 vs Winner Quarter Final 4, 21:00 2. Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte This, historic stadium in Belo Horizonte is listed among the national monuments in Brazil was first opened in 1965 and renovated and reopened in 2013. A huge amount of time and money, i.e. about 3 years and about 695 million Brazilian reais were spent during the entire renovation process of this stadium. The pitch was lowered by 3.4m by removing the running track and a new set of