Country Information on Ecuador 

Terrain

Ecuador can be split into three main geographic regions: the coastal plain covers a quarter of the country's area. The central Andean highlands consist of two mountain ranges running parallel to one another, which include a flat central plateau and the eastern Amazon basin. To the east of the Andes is an area which, with its tropical vegetation forms part of the exploitable area of the Amazon.

The two mountain ranges of the Andes, where volcanoes stand, are so close together in places that the central plateau is divided into separate basins. The Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The Galapagos Islands comprise 17 larger and more than 100 smaller islands that were originally volcanic.

Climate

Although Ecuador lies on the equator, its climate varies greatly, according to its altitude. Thus, daytime temperature variations are higher than annual variations. The coast has an average annual temperature of about 26°C. On the Sierra, temperatures range between 7° and 21°C, depending on altitude. Quito, which lies some 2,850 m above sea level, has an average annual temperature of 12.8°C. The climate to the east of the Andes is warmer and more humid than the along the coast.

Fauna/Flora

The original vegetation of the coastal plain was tropical rainforest. Large parts of it, however, have been destroyed by plantations. Strong rain in the sierra brings with it rich vegetation and the jungles extend up the slopes of the Andes in the form of foggy forests. Above the tree line at an altitude of approximately 4,000 m is the paramo, a tropical heath land.

Mammals that are found in Ecuador include bears, jaguars, wildcats, weasels, otters, and skunks; and reptiles include crocodiles, iguanas, and snakes, which mainly thrive on the slopes of the Andes and along the coastal lowlands. There are numerous species of bird in Ecuador, and many North American birds also migrate there during the northern winter. The Galapagos Islands have their own native animals, such as giant tortoises, iguanas, and various species of bird.

History/Politics

The territory of Ecuador constituted the northern part of the Inca Empire and its centre was in Quito. The first Spanish explorers landed on the coast of present-day Ecuador in 1526. Their victory in 1534 was facilitated by internal conflict between Huáscar and Atahualpa that decreased the power of the empire. Initially, Ecuador was part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and was incorporated into New Granada, in 1717.

Despite the early presence of separatist movements, it was not until 1822 that the liberation army led by General Antonio José de Sucre gained victory and the Real Audicencia became part of the Republic of Gran Colombia, which also included Venezuela, Colombia and Panama. In 1830, it gained its independence and was named the Republic of Ecuador. The country's first president, Venezuelan general Juan José Flores, represented the interests of the ultra-conservatives and a civil war broke out between the conservatives in Quito and the liberals in 1833.

The war triggered a series of conflicts, which led to dictatorial regimes. In 1895, the Liberal Revolution brought Eloy Alfaro to power, who implemented a liberal constitution during his second term (1907-1911). Alfaro was assassinated in 1912 and the country was then under the economic influence of the British Empire. In 1941, following short-lived armed conflict with Peru, Ecuador gave up territorial claims to a large portion of the Amazonian region. In 1942, Ecuador signed the Rio de Janeiro Protocol of Peace, thereby establishing the border between Peru and Ecuador.

However, as a large part of the border has not been demarcated, the issue developed into an ongoing bone of contention between the two countries. In 1972, American firms exported the first crude oil, which made Ecuador the second largest petroleum exporting country of South America after Venezuela. In January 1995, the territorial conflicts with Peru escalated. After Ecuador had sent troops into the border region, the armed forces of the two countries clashed.

The conflict occurred over the mountainous region of the Condor Cordilleras, where there are thought to be gold and crude oil resources. Due to the intervention of the guarantor powers, Ecuador and Peru signed the Peace Declaration of Itamaratí. In 1998, Jamil Mahuad Witt, mayor of Quito, won the presidential elections. The territorial conflicts with Peru were conclusively resolved under his government.

Increases in prices gave rise to social unrest, and Mahuad responded by introducing the US dollar as the national currency early in 2000. This resulted in protests and general strikes, and president Mahuad was overthrown by a military coup due to international pressure. In April 2005, Alfredo Palacio was sworn in as the new president of the republic.

Economy

Forty percent of the country's workforce is employed in agriculture, 20% in industry and 40% in the service sector. In 1965, a law was passed concerning the modernization of the economy, which had until then been largely agrarian. The law supported the establishment of industrial companies in Ecuador.

In the seventies, after the completion of the pipeline across the Andes, connecting the oil fields in the east with the Esmeraldas port, the extraction and export of petroleum began. Some of its major exports are bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, fish, and shrimps. In 2003 the inflation rate was 6.6% and the unemployment rate was 11.7%.

Culture

Ecuadorians celebrate the New Year by burning dolls in the streets on 31 December. The dolls symbolize the old year. Carnival takes place in February or March. Easter, Labour Day (1 May), and the Ecuadorian Liberation Day (24 May) are official holidays. However, the most important holiday is Independence Day (10 August), which commemorates the revolution of 1809.

Whenever a new president has been elected, he takes the oath of office on 10 May. The independence of Guayaquil is celebrated on 9 October. Visiting cemeteries on All Souls' Day (2 November) is a common custom. Many believers put "guaguas" (small figures made of bread dough) on the gravestones to honour their dead. The independence of Quito (6 December) is celebrated with large festivals, bull fights, and sports events.