IN ONE SMALL COUNTRY THAT SPANS FROM THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, TO THE PACIFIC COAST, UP TO THE ANDES MOUNTAINS AND DOWN TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST RAINFOREST, THE AMAZON BASIN; ECUADOR HAS AN UNEQUALLED NATURAL BEAUTY, DIVERSE POPULATION, AND A FASCINATING HISTORY.

The Republic of Ecuador is located in western South America and borders Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador has an area of 283,560 square kilometers, which is about the size of State of Nevada, USA; land boundaries total 2,010 kilometers. In 2004, the population was approximately 13 million and the gross domestic product of $45.7 billion in current US dollars equaled $3,300 per capita. The Ecuadorian economy continues to be heavily dependent on production and the export of agricultural commodities, petroleum, and seafood.

Ecuador is in the northwest part of South America fronting on the Pacific. To the north is Colombia and to the east and south is Peru. Two high and parallel ranges of the Andes, traversing the country from north to south, are topped by tall volcanic peaks. The highest is Chimborazo at 20,577 ft (6,272 m). The Galápagos Islands (or Colón Archipelago: 3,029 sq mi; 7,845 sq km), in the Pacific Ocean about 600 mi (966 km) west of the South American mainland, became part of Ecuador in 1832.

Ecuador was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 w as resolved in 1999.

Basics:

• Name: Republic of Ecuador
• Independence: May 24, 1822 (from Spain)
• Type of government: Democratic Republic
• Area: 256,370 sq. kilometers
• Population: 13.2 million
• Capital City: Quito (population 1.2 million)
• Principal Cities: Guayaquil, Quito, and Cuenca
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: U.S. Dollar since 2001

People:

• Population: 13,212,700 million (2004 est.)
• 0 -14 years: 35% (male 2,430,303; female 2,351,166)
• 15 -64 years: 60% (male 4,116,289; female 4,198,667)
• 65 years and over: 5% (male 284,082; female 329,727)
• Population density: 47.7 people per sq. km (one of the highest in South America)
• Population growth rate: 1.91%
• Birth rate: 24.94 births /1,000 population
• Death rate: 5.29 deaths /1,000 population
• Ethnic Division:
• Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and Spanish): 65%
• Indigenous: 25%
• Spanish: 7%
• Black: 3%

Indigenous groups: over 40 indigenous nations including the Quichua, Huaorani, Shuar (Jivaro), Achuar, Cofan, Siona, Secoya, Otavaleño, Tchatchilas (Colorados), Zaparo, Salasacas, Canaris, Saraguro & Chachi.

Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous tongues. Quichua, the language of the Incas, is the most widely spoken indigenous language. English is commonly spoken among professionals and tourism providers.

Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, however most mestizos and indigenous converts combine Catholicism with animistic practices and beliefs.

Government:

• Type of government: Democratic Republic
• Capital: Quito
• Current President: Rafael Correa
• Administrative division: 21 provinces - Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
• Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal, compulsory for literate people ages 18-65

Trade: (USD billion)

• Total exports: 4.9
• Export commodities: petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish
• Total imports: 6.0
• Import commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods