Country Information on Ecuador

Terrain Ecuador is divided into three geographic regions: the Costa, or coastal plain, covers a little more than one-quarter of the area of the country; the Sierra, or central highlands, extends as a double row of high and massive mountains; the narrow, inhabited central plateau which these mountains enclose; and the Oriente, or eastern jungle, covering about one-half of the country, consists of gentle slopes east of the Andes and forms part of the edge of the Amazon Basin. The two chief mountain ranges of the Andes, above which volcanoes tower, move so close together in places that the central plateau is divided into separate basins. Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The Galápagos Islands comprise 13 larger and more than 100 smaller islands featuring many volcanic peaks, mostly extinct. Climate Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates owing to the varying elevations. Thus, daytime temperature variations are higher than annual variations. The Costa is generally hot and humid, with a mean annual temperature of about 26°C. On the Sierra temperatures range between about 7° and 21°C, depending on altitude. Quito, which is some 2,850 m above sea level, has an average annual temperature of 12.8°C. The Oriente is warmer and more humid than the Costa. Fauna/Flora The original vegetation of the coastal plain was tropical rainforest. Meanwhile, large parts of it have been destroyed by plantations. In some places the jungles extend up the slopes of the Andes as wet, mossy forests. Both flanks of the Cordilleras, as well as the Oriente, are densely forested up to about 3,050 m, in higher-lying areas the mountain forest merges into foggy forest. Above the tree line at an altitude of approximately 4,000 m the páramo, a tropical heathland vegetation is found. The animal life of Ecuador is varied. Mammals include bears, jaguars, wildcats, weasels, otters, and skunks. Reptiles, including crocodiles, lizards, and snakes, thrive on the slopes of the Andes and along the coastal lowlands. Bird species are numerous, and many North American birds migrate to Ecuador during the northern winter. The Galápagos Islands, with many unusual native animals, such as giant tortoises, saurians, and birds, serve as a wildlife sanctuary. History/Politics In ancient times, Ecuador was the northern part of the Inca Empire, with Quito as a centre. The first Spanish explorers landed on the coast of present-day Ecuador in 1526. Internal conflict between Huáscar and Atahualpa regarding the right of succession resulted in diminished power of the Inca Empire, facilitating conquest by Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534. Initially, Spain ruled the colony from Peru, which was governed by a viceroy. From 1717 to 1723, the district of Quito belonged to New Granada, also ruled by a viceroy. Despite early separatist movements, it was only in 1822 that the liberation army led by General Antonio José de Sucre was successful. Ecuador became part of the Republic of Gran Colombia, which also included Venezuela, Colombia and Panama. In 1830, Ecuador obtained its independence and was renamed the Republic of Ecuador. The country's first president, Venezuelan general Juan José Flores, represented the interests of the ultraconservatives. In 1833, a civil war broke out between the conservatives in Quito and the liberals. This war triggered off a long period of armed struggle, which led to dictatorial regimes. In 1895, the Liberal Revolution brought Eloy Alfaro to power. During the second term of government of President Alfaro (1907-1911) a more liberal constitution was implemented. Alfaro was assassinated in 1912 and the country came under the economic influence of the British Empire. In 1941, following short-lived armed conflict with Peru, Ecuador gave up territorial claims regarding a large portion of the Amazonian region. In 1942, Ecuador signed the Rio de Janeiro Protocol of Peace, Friendship, and Boundaries establishing the border between Peru and Ecuador. However, as the boundary line was not accurately set down, the issue developed into an ongoing bone of contention between the two countries. In 1972, American firms exported the first crude oil, which came from the newly tapped oil fields. This made Ecuador the second largest petroleum exporting country of South America after Venezuela. In 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 region in question, which is in the mountainous region of the Condor Cordilleras, was much disputed owing to possible resources of gold, uranium and crude oil. Thanks to intervention by the guarantor powers, Ecuador and Peru signed the Declaration of Itamaratí. In 1998, Jamil Mahuad Witt, mayor of Quito, was successful in the presidential elections. The territorial conflicts with Peru were resolved. Severe price increases gave rise to social unrest. Mahuad introduced the dollarization of the country, the US dollar was made the national currency. This resulted in general strikes and violent social unrest, and president Mahuad was overthrown by a military coup. International pressure forced the military junta to hand over power to vice president Gustavo Noboa Bejarano, who became president in 2000, but who continued the policy of dollarization. Economy 40% of the country's workforce engage in agriculture, 20% in the industrial and 40% in the services sector. In 1965, a law was passed concerning the modernization of the economy, which had been largely agrarian so far. The law supported establishing industrial companies in Ecuador. After the completion of the pipeline across the Andes, which connects the oil fields in the Oriente area with the port of Esmeraldas, the extraction and export of petroleum commenced in the 1970s. Among the major exports are bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, fish, and shrimps. Culture Ecuadorians celebrate the New Year by burning dolls in the streets on New Year's Eve (31 December). The dolls symbolize the year which has passed. In February or March carnival is held. 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 has to take the oath of office on 10 May. The independence of Guayaquil is celebrated on 9 October. A common custom is visiting cemeteries on All Souls' Day (2 November). Many believers put little men made of bread dough on the gravestones to honour the dead. The independence of Quito (6 December) is celebrated with big festivals, bull fights, and sports events.