Bienvenidos! |
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Listen to some traditional Ecuadorian music while you scroll!
Country overview
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Prayer Request
Please pray for the many children who have fallen ill over the past several months. Pray for provision and miraculous healing in their lives and the lives of their family members. May they come to know God as their healer in this time. Please pray for the many children who have become orphans due to abandonment or the death of their parents. Please ask the Lord to intervene and provide them with loving caregivers. Pray they will grow up to know and trust the love of the Lord in the midst of this loneliness. - Ecuador Country Office, working with the Compassion organization |
Ecuador Quick Facts/Demographics
Continent: South American
Capital: Quito
Government: Republic
Languages: 93% Spanish (Castillian, official), 4.1% Quechua, 2.2% Foreign
Ethnic Groups: 71.9% Mestizo (mixed American and white), 7.4% Montubio, 7.2% Afroecuadorian, 7% Amerindian, 6.1% white (2010 census)
Religions: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% other
Population: 15,654,411 (July 2014 est.)
Age and Male/Female Ratio:
0-14 years: 28.5% (male 2,275,448/female 2,184,706)
15-24 years: 18.6% (male 1,478,184/female 1,439,288)
25-54 years: 38.9% (male 2,968,757/female 3,124,938)
55-64 years: 7.1% (male 544,097/female 562,326)
65 + years: 6.7% (male 514,549/female 562,118)
Capital: Quito
Government: Republic
Languages: 93% Spanish (Castillian, official), 4.1% Quechua, 2.2% Foreign
Ethnic Groups: 71.9% Mestizo (mixed American and white), 7.4% Montubio, 7.2% Afroecuadorian, 7% Amerindian, 6.1% white (2010 census)
Religions: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% other
Population: 15,654,411 (July 2014 est.)
Age and Male/Female Ratio:
0-14 years: 28.5% (male 2,275,448/female 2,184,706)
15-24 years: 18.6% (male 1,478,184/female 1,439,288)
25-54 years: 38.9% (male 2,968,757/female 3,124,938)
55-64 years: 7.1% (male 544,097/female 562,326)
65 + years: 6.7% (male 514,549/female 562,118)
Maps
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Geography
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Climate
Ecuador is tropical along the coastline, lowlands, and in the areas of the Amazon Jungle (Oriente) that lie in the country. Moving inland, toward the higher elevation of the Andes Mountains (Sierra), the climate becomes cooler. Additionally, Ecuador lies directly on the Equator, and receives 12 hours of sunlight year-round. Terrain The terrain of the country includes coastal plains (La Costa), Andean central highlands, and flat to rolling eastern Amazon Jungle. Ecuador is becoming a well known destination for it's adventure tourism. While the mountains offer great rock climbing challenges, the Amazon river is a tourist favorite for its white water rafting. |
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History
Flag: History and Meaning
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The design for the Ecuadorian flag was inspired by General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda, a leader of the South American Independence movement. Ecuador's flag shares it's colors with Colombia and Venezuela because the three nations gained independence in 1822. Following their independence, they formed a group called The Gran Colombia, which lasted until 1830. After the split, each nation decided to retain these colors. |
Ecuador has a tricolor flag, with yellow, blue, and red, horizontal stripes (respectively). Yellow signifies the Sun, Gold of Ancestors, and fertility in agriculture, while blue represents the sky, sea, and independence from Spain. Additionally, red acknowledges the blood that was given to achieve independence. The nation’s coat of arms lies in the center, which pictures an Andean condor, a native South American bird, which is also pictured on the flags of Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia. This great bird is a symbol of power and strength. Beneath the Condor is a framed scene of the Chimborazo Mountains, Ecuador’s highest peaks, which are also the farthest point from the center of Earth. Above the mountain, there is a sun with a white band behind it. Along the white band, are the astrological signs for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer, which represent the months from March to July, significant months in the nations history. The image also depicts the Guayas River, which is a sign of the wealth in each region of the country. On the river lies the Guayas (named after the river), Ecuador and South America’s first steam engine ship.
Foreign Relations
General
Ecuador is a member of several organizations that address foreign affairs such as the United Nations (UN), and Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, the nation is a member of many regional groups, including the Rio Group, the Latin American Economic System, the Latin American Energy Association, and the Andean Pact.
Ecuador's foreign policy has generally revolved around defending its territory against foreign and internal aggression as a result of the nation's history of struggle in gaining independence (see History video above). Foreign affairs have commonly been focused toward the United States, who is the leader of Ecuadorian imports/exports.
Ecuador is a member of several organizations that address foreign affairs such as the United Nations (UN), and Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, the nation is a member of many regional groups, including the Rio Group, the Latin American Economic System, the Latin American Energy Association, and the Andean Pact.
Ecuador's foreign policy has generally revolved around defending its territory against foreign and internal aggression as a result of the nation's history of struggle in gaining independence (see History video above). Foreign affairs have commonly been focused toward the United States, who is the leader of Ecuadorian imports/exports.
Peru
In 1981, Ecuador fought against Peru in the Paquisha War, a clash over three watchposts on the border of the two countries. Since then, Ecuador's foreign policy has been centered around it's border dispute with Peru. In 1995, Ecuador and Peru fought over a border dispute again, in a war known as the Cenepa War. Following a peace agreement, the Military Observers Mission to Ecuador-Peru was created in order to watch over this border zone.
Colombia
Following a Colombian raid against leftist rebels in Ecuador in 2008, the Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa ordered troops to the Colombian border and withdrew the Ecuadorian ambassador from the neighboring country. Later that year, the Andean diplomatic crisis occurred, in which Colombian troops killed a rebel leaders along with 21 other people. After a consensus from the majority of South America against Colombia's actions, the presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela signed a declaration to end the crisis.
Venezuela
Ecuador and Venezuela have been diplomatically tied since their independence under the Gran Colombia and New Granada (Colombia and Panama then). Few diplomatic incidents have occurred between the two nations, and they have since strengthened their ties politically, militarily, and diplomatically.
Exports
Top exports include Crude Petroleum (50%), Bananas (11%), Crustaceans (5.4%), Processed Fish (4.8%), and Refined Petroleum (3.8%)
Ecuador is the World's top exporter of Bananas
Ecuadors top export destinations are the United States (41%), Peru (8.0%), Chile (7.7%), Colombia (4.3%), and Venezuela (4.0%)
Imports
Top imports include Refined Petroleum (11%), Coal Tar Oil (7.4%), Cars (3.1%), Packaged Medicaments (2.9%), and Delivery Trucks (2.7%)
Ecuador's top import origins are the United States (27%), China (11%), Colombia (7.9%), Panama (6.3%), and Peru (4.4%)
In 1981, Ecuador fought against Peru in the Paquisha War, a clash over three watchposts on the border of the two countries. Since then, Ecuador's foreign policy has been centered around it's border dispute with Peru. In 1995, Ecuador and Peru fought over a border dispute again, in a war known as the Cenepa War. Following a peace agreement, the Military Observers Mission to Ecuador-Peru was created in order to watch over this border zone.
Colombia
Following a Colombian raid against leftist rebels in Ecuador in 2008, the Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa ordered troops to the Colombian border and withdrew the Ecuadorian ambassador from the neighboring country. Later that year, the Andean diplomatic crisis occurred, in which Colombian troops killed a rebel leaders along with 21 other people. After a consensus from the majority of South America against Colombia's actions, the presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela signed a declaration to end the crisis.
Venezuela
Ecuador and Venezuela have been diplomatically tied since their independence under the Gran Colombia and New Granada (Colombia and Panama then). Few diplomatic incidents have occurred between the two nations, and they have since strengthened their ties politically, militarily, and diplomatically.
Exports
Top exports include Crude Petroleum (50%), Bananas (11%), Crustaceans (5.4%), Processed Fish (4.8%), and Refined Petroleum (3.8%)
Ecuador is the World's top exporter of Bananas
Ecuadors top export destinations are the United States (41%), Peru (8.0%), Chile (7.7%), Colombia (4.3%), and Venezuela (4.0%)
Imports
Top imports include Refined Petroleum (11%), Coal Tar Oil (7.4%), Cars (3.1%), Packaged Medicaments (2.9%), and Delivery Trucks (2.7%)
Ecuador's top import origins are the United States (27%), China (11%), Colombia (7.9%), Panama (6.3%), and Peru (4.4%)
Culture and Videos
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Works Cited
"Ecuador Climate." International Living. International Living, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Ecuador Flag with the Meaning of Each Color and the Coat of Arms." Economic Galapagos Tours. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Pray for Children Living in Poverty in Ecuador." Prayer Requests for Ecuador. Christian Child Sponsorship, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"The Observatory of Economic Complexity." OEC: Ecuador (ECU) Profile of Exports, Imports and Trade Partners. Observatory of Economic Complexity, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Spanish Colonization of the Americas." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"The World Factbook." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 22 June 2014. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
"Ecuador Climate." International Living. International Living, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Ecuador Flag with the Meaning of Each Color and the Coat of Arms." Economic Galapagos Tours. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Pray for Children Living in Poverty in Ecuador." Prayer Requests for Ecuador. Christian Child Sponsorship, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"The Observatory of Economic Complexity." OEC: Ecuador (ECU) Profile of Exports, Imports and Trade Partners. Observatory of Economic Complexity, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Spanish Colonization of the Americas." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"The World Factbook." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 22 June 2014. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
