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A Brief Description

Before the great Inca empire began its conquest of this land called Ecuador in 1463, it was populated by a number of indigenous Indian tribes that were often at war with one another.

In the early 16th century the Spanish discovered and subsequently conquered Ecuador. Over the next two centuries Spanish Colonial rule in this New World spread. Sadly, the Spanish unintentionally brought with them smallpox and measles, diseases that, over time, all but wiped out much of the indigenous Indian population.

After suffering a severe depression throughout most of the eighteenth century, and with Ecuador's cities gradually falling into ruins, the thoughts of independence were in the wind.

That struggle for freedom was bloody, difficult and very long, but independence was finally achieved in 1830, and over the next 140 years a series of military and political groups ruled the land.

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, as seven presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996.

Quito, the capital, is the political center, while Guayaquil is the commercial hub. The world-famous Galapagos Islands (a territory of Ecuador) are positioned about 600 miles to its west.

The indigenous populations mixed with those of European descent give Ecuador a unique cultural texture. It's a very friendly country, known for warm, welcoming hospitality.

Read more about Ecuador here!

Quito, Ecuador Travel the World through Poster Art!
Facts and Figures

Name Ecuador

(long form) Republic of Ecuador

Population 13,363,600

Population & Density (all countries) here

Capital City Quito (1.4 mil)

Currency U S dollar (USD)

Currency Converter here

Languages Spanish, Amerindian

Flag here

National Day August 10

Religions Catholic (95%), others

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)

2º 00' S, 77º 30' W

Relative Location Ecuador sits directly on the Equator, and subsequently is positioned in the northern, southern and western hemispheres. It's located on the northwestern edge of South America, and bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean.

Land Statistics

Coastline 1,390miles (2,237 km)

Land Areas

(land) 106,888 sq miles (276,840 sq km)

(water) 2,595 sq miles (6,720 sq km)

(TOTAL) 109,483 sq miles (283,560 sq km)

Land Area (all countries) here

Landforms Ecuador is divided into four regions: the coastal lowlands and mountains areas; the central Andes Mountains and it's two major chains (Cordillera Occidental in the west) and the (Cordillera Oriental in the east); the lower mountains that fade into rolling hills and lowlands of the east, and the territory of the Galapagos Islands - officially called the Archipiélago de Colón - located about 1,000 km to the west.

The Andes includes over 20 peaks at least 13,779 ft. (4,200 m) in height with most located in the Cordillera Occidental. In addition, there are over 30 peaks that are volcanic in nature, including many active ones.

Most rivers in Ecuador rise in the upper elevations of the Andes, flowing east toward the Amazon River, or west into the Pacific Ocean. The most significant include the Babahoyo, Chira, Coca, Curaray, Daule, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Napo, Paztaza, and the Putumayo, on its northeastern border with Colombia.

Highest Pt. Mt. Chimborazo - 20,561 ft. (6,267 m)

Lowest Pt. Pacific Ocean at 0 ft. (0 m)

Land Divisions 22 provinces, including: Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua and Zamora-Chinchipe.

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Maps

Ecuador (large color) Map here

Ecuador Outline Map here

Ecuador CIA version here

Ecuador Maps at UT here

Galapagos Islands Map here

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South America (Bodies of Water) here!

South America (Capital Cities) here!

South America (Landforms) here!

South America (Outline) here!

South America (Country Test) here!

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Ring of Fire map here

World Outline Maps (printable) here

World Time Zone Map here

Recommended Links

Ecuador (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here

Embassy of Ecuador (Tokyo) web site

Ecuador Explorer site

Ecuador Tourism and Travel here

Ecuador Ministry of Tourism here

Ecuador Photos at TrekEarth.com here

Galapagos Islands here

Mt. Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak Travel the World through Poster Art!

Time and Weather

Climate Ecuador has a tropical climate along its coastal areas, then becoming much cooler inland, especially in the higher elevations of the Andes. The jungle-covered plains of the eastern lowlands are hot and very damp throughout the year, with copious amounts of rain.

The most significant climate variations occur in the Andes, where in general terms, mornings are cold and afternoons warm.

The lower levels of the mountains are tropical and experience heavy precipitation. Somewhat typically of any mountainous country, the higher the altitude, the lower the temperatures fall, and rainfall also decreases. In the upper elevations here, the Andes are snow-capped, and temperatures are very cold.

Quito is over (9,200 ft.) in elevation; its highest temperatures are in August and September, where daily highs approach 72° F. The balance of the year high temperatures are generally in the low 60s. The months of June and July are the coldest, with highs in the 40s.

Traveler Info

Attractions: Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, but it surely has some of the continent's most spectacular points-of-interest.

Leading the list is Quito, described by many travelers as the most beautiful city in South America. With its elevation and location near the Equator, its climate is considered a "permanent spring."

Additional attractions include several archaeological sites; a stunning selection of national parks, including Cotopaxi's (Avenue of the Volcanoes,) Podocarpus, Sangay and Yasumi; rainforest expeditions, the cities of Ambato and Otavalo; the natural springs at Banos, and of course, the Galapagos Islands.

All visitors to Ecuador are advised against travel to its northern border, including the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana and Carchi and northern Esmeraldas Province. Here, the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations remain on-going problems.

Country Dialing Code 593

Electricity Ecuador uses 120 volts AC (60 Hz)

Electrical adapters, products and tips here

Travel Warnings here

Visa Information here

PLEASE NOTE: Before making travel plans for any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding visas, local health care, customs, etc. We always find it helpful to contact the nearest consulate of any country before beginning a journey into a foreign land.

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