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| Ecuador is located on the Pacific Coast on the northeast edge of South America. It shares its northern boundary with Colombia and the eastern and southern boundaries with Peru, to the west lies the Pacific Ocean. Located near the Panama Canal, Ecuador is within easy reach of the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. |  |
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The majestic Andes mountain range traverses the country from north to south, like a huge backbone, which divides Ecuador into four distinct regions: the Andean highlands; the coastal plains; the Upper Amazon Basin; and the Galapagos Islands located 622 miles off the Pacific Coast. |
- Map of Ecuador
- List of Ecuadorian Hotels
- List of Ecuadorian Web sites
- Ecuadorian Museums
- Ecuadorian Universities
- EcuaNet - Access to Ecuador's official Internet provider
- Grand Hotel Guayaquil - Luxury hotel located in the heart of Guayaquil
Government
Ecuador's political environment is one of peace and stability. The government is civilian and democratic, and sovereignty is exercised through the constitution, by the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. The executive branch is headed by the President of the Republic, who is elected to a four-year term.
- Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
- Ministerio de Salud
- Ministerio de Turismo
- Superintendencia de Bancos
- Other Ecuadorian Organs
Population
The total estimated population in 1996 was 11,698,496 inhabitants. 59.9% of the total population lives in urban areas and 40.1% in rural areas. The economically-active population (work force) totals 3,829,269, i.e. 32% of the total. The annual population growth rate is 2.19% and the average demographic density is 30 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Language
The official language of Ecuador is Spanish. Quechua and other languages are widely spoken by the indigenous population.
Major Cities
Quito
| The capital city with over 1.4 million inhabitants is located at an altitude of 9,400 feet (2,800 meters) above sea level and its average temperature is 17°C. Quito has retained an unchanged identity, throughout its four hundred years, earning the title of "Cultural Heritage of Mankind". Two contrasting facades, two personalities, two periods of history are joined together in this lovely city: downtown Quito, with its art, monuments, power and tradition; and modern Quito, which rivals some of the most developed cities of South America. |  Quito, Ecuador |
Guayaquil
| Ecuador's major port, Guayaquil, is the country's largest city with over 1.9 million inhabitants. This city alongside the Guayas River holds a modern cosmopolitan image of today, but also reflects memories of yesteryears full of legends and tradition. Its ocean port, located 8 kilometers from the center of the city, is one of the most modern on the Pacific and offers docking facilities to large vessels from all over the world. |  Guayaquil, Ecuador |
Cuenca
| Renowned for the innate skills of its people, Cuenca has preserved its colonial ambiance with cobblestone streets and quaint old buildings, many of them from marble quarried nearby. It is currently Ecuador's third most important development center and its industry has grown and diversified widely, including ceramics, marble, leather and preserves. |  Cuenca, Ecuador |
Machala
| Since colonial times, this place has been recognized as a source of wealth because of its abundant gold deposits. It is the number one producer of gold in the country. In addition, it is the major banana-growing region and its shrimp farms are very prosperous as well. |  Machala, Ecuador |
Galapagos
| The legendary Galapagos Islands were called "A Separate Center of Creation" by Charles Darwin; and this group of 13 major islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks on the Pacific Ocean - all the result of volcanic activity - certainly appear to be out of this world. These islands are, in fact, an unpredictable wilderness, filled with an extraordinary population of unique species which has developed apart from humans and their dominating influence. This destination is near perfect for those who really want to get away from it all. For nature lovers, the perfection is even greater: birds, playful sea lions, exotic plant life, volcanoes and haunting land and seascape. |  Galapagos, Ecuador |
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