Ecuador

Republic of Ecuador / Republica del Ecuador

Ecuador is in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru.

Ecuador Time

Clock showing the local time right now in Ecuador (Guayaquil Time Zone)

Background: 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.

Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W

border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Population: 13,547,510 (July 2006 est.)

Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Capital: Quito

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: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)