Ecuador is a country in South America bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru to the south and east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Ecuador has an area of 276,840 square kilometers. The Galapagos Islands are also part of Ecuador and is famous for its wildlife. Ecuador has a coastline of 2237 kilometers. This country has a republican form of government, and Quito is the capital city, situated at an altitude of 2,820 meters.
Ecuador has a population of just over 13 million people (July 2005). The main ethnic groups are mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) by 65 percent and Native Americans in 25 percent of the population. Spanish and others are 7 percent of the population, while blacks are 3 percent. At least 95 percent of Ecuador's population are Roman Catholics. The official language is Spanish, and Native American languages are also spoken, especially Quechua. Ecuador has a population growth of 1.24 percent and the infant mortality rate is 23.66 deaths 1, 000 live births. Ecuador has a life expectancy of 76.21 years and has a literacy rate of 92.5 percent.
Ecuador gained its independence from Spain May 24, 1822. Independence Day is celebrated on August 10. For administrative purposes, Ecuador is divided into 22 provinces. The country has a gross domestic product of 49.51 billion U.S. dollars. Agriculture is 8.7 percent and the industry occupies 30.5 percent of GDP. The service sector occupies 60.9 percent of GDP. Ecuador has a urban labor force of 4.53 million. The service sector represents 68 percent of the labor force, while industry accounts for 24 percent of the workforce. Only 8 percent of the workforce is employed in agriculture. According to 2001 estimates, 45 percent of Ecuador's population is below the poverty line.
Ecuador's major industries are oil, chemicals, food processing, textiles, wood, and the main production agriculture are bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, cassava, banana and sugarcane. Livestock includes cattle, sheep, pigs, beef and pork. The main export products of Ecuador are petroleum, bananas, flowers and shrimp, while the main products exported are vehicles, drugs, telecommunications equipment and electricity. Export partners are the U.S., accounting for 42.9 percent of exports. The other major export partners are 14.3 percent Panama, Peru, 7.9 percent and Italy 4.6 percent. The United States is the main import partner in Ecuador. The other major partners in imports are China, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Japan and Mexico.
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The American and Canadian Association of Peru. Picnic 2009.
