| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three democratically elected Presidents. In 2007, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country about the size of Colorado. It has a developing economy and a democratically elected government. Ecuador is geographically and ethnically diverse. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality. Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar in 2000. Both U.S. coins and Ecuadorian coins, which are equivalent to the value of the U.S. coins, are used. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Ecuador
for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A U.S. passport with remaining validity of at least six months ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Ecuadorian(s).
Population (July 2007 est.): 13,755,680.
Annual population growth rate (July 2007 est.): 1.55%.
Ethnic groups: Indigenous 6.8%, mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 77.4%, Caucasian and others 10.8%, African 4.9%.
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (95%), but religious freedom recognized.
Languages: Spanish (official), indigenous languages, especially Quichua, the Ecuadorian dialect of Quechua.
Education: Years compulsory--ages 6 ... Read this Article
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Location: Ecuador is Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru See Map
Capital: name: Quito
geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): US dollar (USD) ...More
Area: total: 283,560 sq km , land: 276,840 sq km , water: 6,720 sq km , note: includes Galapagos Islands ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly smaller than Nevada
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 13,927,650 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 8.8% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%
Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)
More Statistics
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| History, GOVERNMENT, AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
The Inca Empire and Spanish Conquest
Advanced indigenous cultures flourished in Ecuador long before the area was conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century. In 1534, the Spanish arrived and defeated the Inca armies, and Spanish colonists became the new elite. The indigenous population ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Ecuador : |
Geography
Area: 276,840 sq. km; about the size of Colorado.
Cities: Capital--Quito (pop. 2 million). Other major cities--Guayaquil (2.28 million).
Terrain: Jungle east of the Andes, a rich agricultural coastal plain west of the Andes, high-elevation valleys through the mountainous center of the country and an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific ... Read this Article
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