| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
South America |
| Geographical Location |
2° 00' South Latitude
77° 30' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
283,560 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Ecuador |
| Capital City |
Quito |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja,
Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe |
| Independence Day |
24 May 1822 (from Spain) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
13,363,593 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Ecuadorian |
| 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) |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.24% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
US dollar (USD) |
| Industries |
Petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals |
| Labor Force |
4.53 million (urban) (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 8%, industry 24%, services 68% (2001) |
| Agriculture Products |
Bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp |
| Export Commodities |
Petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp |
| Export Partners |
US 48.3%, Colombia 5.5%, Germany 4.8% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Vehicles, medicinal products, telecommunications equipment, electricity |
| Import Partners |
US 24.5%, Colombia 12.7%, Venezuela 8.3%, Brazil 5.8%, Chile 4.9%, China 4.8%, Japan 4.3% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
966 km |
| Highways |
43,197 km |
| Pipelines |
Extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined products 1,185 km (2004) |
| Airports |
205 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+593 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.ec |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are 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 was resolved in 1999.
Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Seven presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996. |
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