🇪🇨 Ecuador – The Country of Four Worlds
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Its territory also includes the Galápagos Islands, located about 1,000 kilometers west of the mainland. The capital city is Quito, while Guayaquil is the largest city and main port.
🗺️ Geography and Regions
Ecuador is renowned for its diverse geography, earning it the nickname “the country of four worlds.” The nation is divided into four distinct regions:
- La Costa (Coast): A coastal plain along the Pacific Ocean, featuring tropical beaches, mangroves, and agricultural lands.
- La Sierra (Highlands): The Andean highlands, home to snow-capped volcanoes like Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, as well as fertile valleys and colonial cities.
- El Oriente (Amazon): The eastern lowlands, part of the Amazon rainforest, rich in biodiversity and indigenous cultures.
- Galápagos Islands: An archipelago of volcanic islands famed for unique wildlife and their influence on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
🌿 Biodiversity
Ecuador is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, boasting a high number of endemic species. The country’s varied ecosystems support thousands of plant and animal species, including over 1,600 bird species, numerous amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The Galápagos Islands are particularly notable for their unique fauna.
🏛️ Culture and People
Ecuador’s population is ethnically diverse, comprising mestizos, indigenous peoples, Afro-Ecuadorians, and Europeans. Spanish is the official language, but several indigenous languages, such as Kichwa and Shuar, are also recognized. The culture reflects a blend of indigenous traditions and Spanish colonial influences, evident in music, dance, festivals, and cuisine.
💰 Economy
The Ecuadorian economy is based on petroleum production, agriculture, and services. Key exports include oil, bananas, shrimp, flowers, and cocoa. The country adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency in 2000 to stabilize the economy.
🌐 Learn More
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland. The country's capital is Quito and its largest city is Guayaquil.
Republic of Ecuador República del Ecuador (Spanish) | |
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 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Pro Deo, Patria et Libertate (Latin) Dios, patria y libertad (Spanish) "Lord, homeland and freedom" | |
| Anthem: Salve, Oh Patria (Spanish) English: "Hail, Oh Fatherland" | |
 Location of Ecuador (dark green) | |
| Capital | Quito 00°13′12″S 78°30′43″W / 0.22000°S 78.51194°W |
| Largest city | Guayaquil |
| Official languages | Spanish |
| Recognized regional languages | Kichwa (Quechua), Shuar and others "are in official use for indigenous peoples" |
| Ethnic groups (2022) |
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| Religion (2023) |
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| Demonym(s) | Ecuadorian |
| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| Daniel Noboa | |
| Maria Jose Pinto | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence | |
• Declared | 10 August 1809 |
• from Spain | 24 May 1822 |
• from Gran Colombia | 13 May 1830 |
• Recognized by Spain | 16 February 1840 |
| 5 June 1895 | |
| 28 September 2008 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 283,561 km2 (109,484 sq mi) (73rd) |
• Excluding the Galapagos Islands | 276,841 km2 (106,889 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate |  17,483,326 |
• 2022 census | 16,938,986 (73rd) |
• Density | 69/km2 (178.7/sq mi) (148th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $268.1 billion (66th) |
• Per capita | $14,485 (109th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $122.762 billion (63rd) |
• Per capita | $6,630 (95th) |
| Gini (2023) |  44.6medium inequality |
| HDI (2023) | 0.777 high (88th) |
| Currency | United States dollara (USD) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 / −6 (ECT / GALT) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Calling code | +593 |
| ISO 3166 code | EC |
| Internet TLD | .ec |
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The land that comprises modern-day Ecuador was once home to several groups of indigenous peoples that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by the Spanish Empire during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as a sovereign state in 1830. The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its 17.8 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of Europeans, Native American, African, and Asian descendants. Spanish is the official language spoken by a majority of the population, although 13 native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.
Ecuador is a representative democratic presidential republic and a developing country whose economy is highly dependent on exports of commodities, primarily petroleum and agricultural products. The country is a founding member of the United Nations, Organization of American States, Mercosur, PROSUR, and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, between 2006 and 2016, poverty decreased from 36.7% to 22.5% and annual per capita GDP growth was 1.5 percent (as compared to 0.6 percent over the prior two decades). At the same time, the country's Gini index of economic inequality improved from 0.55 to 0.47.
One of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador hosts many endemic plants and animals, such as those of the Galápagos Islands. In recognition of its unique ecological heritage, the new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable rights of nature.
In the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Ecuador ranks 58th out of 127 countries with a score of 11.6, which indicates a moderate level of hunger.