This map, published by Ecuadorian Manuel Villavicencio in 1858, is the first attempt to map Ecuador in a systematic and organised manner.

The development of this map did not receive any state support or funding, but arose solely from Villavicencio's interest in achieving an accurate representation of Ecuador. This led him to make multiple trips, during which he gathered first-hand information and questioned local populations. The map achieved great popularity in the country and was used in schools for more than 30 years.

The map divides Ecuador into the nine provinces that existed at that time (Guayas, Azuay, Chimborazo, Imbabura, Loja, Manabí, Pichincha, Esmeraldas and Cotopaxi), includes the Galápagos archipelago and also incorporates the province of Oriente. This province did not yet officially exist (it would be formed in 1561), but it was of great importance to Villavicencio.

Precisely because of the province of Oriente, this map was heavily criticised. Throughout this region, Villavicencio painted multiple imaginary mountains and rivers that did not correspond to the reality of the territory.

As a curious detail, the province of Oriente also includes a border that the author himself wrote down, taking geographical features as references: the Amazon River to the south and the Putumayo mountain range to the north, not because they were claimed by the Republic of Ecuador, but because they were your opinion.

Sources

• Chorographic Map of the Republic of Ecuador