Ecuador

National name:
República del Ecuador

Government:
Republic.

Geography
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 6,272 m. The Galápagos Islands (or Colón Archipelago: 7,845 sq km), in the Pacific Ocean about 966 km west of the South American mainland, became part of Ecuador in 1832.

Historical Background
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 by 1819 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. Seven presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996. In March 2008, Colombian forces crossed into Ecuadorean territory and killed FARC rebel leader, Raúl Reyes. In response, Venezuela and Ecuador broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia and sent troops to the Colombian borders.

Facts & Figures

Name

Ecuador

Capital

Quito

Government

Unitary presidential republic

Language

Spanish

National Holiday

August 10

Religion

Roman Catholic & Protestants.

Area

283,561 (with Galapagos) km2 (66th) 109,415 sq mi

Population

2010 estimate 14,790,608 (65th)

Currency

U.S. dollar