República del Ecuador  (Spanish) Republic of Ecuador
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Dios, patria y libertad"  (Spanish) "Pro Deo, Patria et Libertate"  (Latin) "God, homeland and liberty"
Anthem: Salve, Oh Patria  (Spanish) We Salute You, Our Homeland
Capital		Quito 00°9′S 78°21′W / -0.15, -78.35
Largest city		Guayaquil
Official languages		Spanish
Demonym		Ecuadorian, Ecuadorean
Government		Presidential republic
-	President	Rafael Correa
-	Vice-President	Lenín Moreno
Independence
-	from Spain	May 24, 1822
-	from Gran Colombia	May 13, 1830
Area
-	Total	256,370 km² (73rd) 98,985 sq mi
-	Water (%)	8.8
Population
-	2007 estimate	13,755,680 (65th)
-	Density	53.8/km² (147th) 139.4/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2006 estimate
-	Total	$61.7 billion (70th)
-	Per capita	$4,776 (111th)
Gini		42 (medium)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.772 (medium) (89th)
Currency		U.S. dollar2 (USD)
Time zone		(UTC-5 (-63))
Internet TLD		.ec
Calling code		+593
1	Quichua and other Amerindian languages spoken by indigenous communities.
2	Sucre until 2000, followed by the U.S. dollar and Ecuadorian centavo coins
3	Galápagos Islands.

Ecuador (IPA: /ˈɛkwədɔər/), officially the Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador, literally, "Republic of the equator") is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, by Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country also includes the Galápagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón) in the Pacific, about 965 kilometers (600 miles) west of the mainland. Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name, and has an area of 256,371 square kilometers (98,985 mi²). Its capital city is Quito; its largest city is Guayaquil. Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... State flag and ensign, ratio: 1:2 Civil flag and ensign, ratio: 1:2 The flag of Ecuador, which consists of horizontal bands of yellow (double width), blue and red, was adopted on September 26, 1860. ... The coat of arms of Ecuador (Spanish: Escudo de armas del Ecuador) in its current form was established in 1900 based on an older version of 1845. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Salve, Oh Patria! (We Salute You, Our Homeland) is the national anthem of Ecuador. ... Image File history File links LocationEcuador. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... This article is about the international language known as Spanish. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separately from the legislature, to which it is not accountable and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Juan José Flores 1830-1834 Vicente Rocafuerte 1834-1839 Juan José Flores 1839-1845 José Joaquín de Olmedo 1845 Vicente Ramón Roca 1845-1849 Manuel de Ascásubi 1849-1850 Diego Noboa 1850-1851 José María Urbina 1851-1856 Francisco Robles 1856-1859 Gabriel García 1859... Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (born 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil) [1]is the President of the Republic of Ecuador. ... Lenín Moreno is the Vice-President elect of Ecuador. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Gran Colombia Capital Bogotá Language(s) Spanish Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic History  - Established December 17, 1819  - Disestablished November 19, 1831 Gran Colombia (Spanish for Greater Colombia) is a name used today for the Republic of Colombia of the period 1819-1831. ... is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here surface areas between 100,000 km² and 1,000,000 km². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... USD redirects here. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .ec is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Ecuador. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... PLEASE IMPROVE , compare Category:Telephone numbering by country Country Code: 593 The Numbering Plan as defined by the national regulator can be found in: Fundamental Numbering Plan. ... Quechua (also Runasimi language of people) is a Native American language of South America. ... Amerindian languages are the native languages of the Americas. ... The sucre was the currency of Ecuador between 1884 and 2000. ... Ecuadorian centavo coins were introduced in 2000 when Ecuador converted its currency from the sucre to the US dollar. ... Galápagos redirects here. ... World map showing the equator in red In tourist areas, the equator is often marked on the sides of roads The equator marked as it crosses Ilhéu das Rolas, in São Tomé and Príncipe. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Galápagos redirects here. ... World map showing the equator in red In tourist areas, the equator is often marked on the sides of roads The equator marked as it crosses Ilhéu das Rolas, in São Tomé and Príncipe. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ...

History

Main article: History of Ecuador

Evidence of human cultures in Ecuador exists from c. 3500 B.C. [2] Many civilizations rose throughout Ecuador, such as the Valdivia Culture and Machalilla Culture on the coast, the Quitus (near present day Quito) and the Cañari (in present day Cuenca). Each civilization developed its own distinctive architecture, pottery, and religious interests. After years of fiery resistance by the Cañari and other tribes, as demonstrated by the battle of Yahuarcocha (Blood Lake) where thousands of resistance fighters were killed and thrown in the lake, what is now Ecuador fell to the Incan expansion and was assimilated loosely into the Incan empire. This is the history of Ecuador. ... The Valdivia Culture thrived in the coast of Ecuador, in a small hill next to the town of Valdivia, between 3500 and 1800 B.C. The discovery of this culture was done in 1956 by the Ecuadorian archeologist Emilio Estrada. ... The Machalilla were a prehistoric people in Ecuador, in southern Manabí and the Santa Elena Peninsula. ... The Quitu were the aboriginal occupants of the now capital of Ecuador, Quito. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... List of cities called Cuenca: Cuenca, Ecuador Joara, la Florida, Native American settlement renamed Cuenca by Spanish Cuenca, Spain, the capital of Cuenca province. ...

The Inca Empire

Through a succession of wars and marriages among the nations that inhabited the valley, the region became part of the Inca Empire. Atahualpa, one of the sons of the Inca emperor Huayna Capac, could not receive the crown of the Empire since the emperor had another son, Huascar, born in Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. Upon Huayna Capac's death, the empire was divided in two: Atahualpa received the north, with his capital in Quito; Huascar received the south, with its capital in Cusco. In 1530, Atahualpa defeated Huascar and conquered the entire Empire for the crown of Quito. For other meanings of Inca, see Inca (disambiguation). ... Lifetime portrait of Atahuallpa, the last sovereign Inca emperor Atahualpa or Atawallpa (c. ... Huayna Capac (Quechua Wayna Qhapaq splendid youth) was the eleventh Sapa Inca (1493 - 1527) of the Inca Empire, and sixth of the Hanan dynasty. ... Alternate meaning: Huáscar (warship) Huascar, in full Inti Cusi Huallpa Huáscar (“Sun of Joy”) (died 1532). ... This article is the city in Peru. ... Huayna Capac (Quechua Wayna Qhapaq splendid youth) was the eleventh Sapa Inca (1493 - 1527) of the Inca Empire, and sixth of the Hanan dynasty. ... This article is the city in Peru. ... June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ...

Colonization by Spain

Old downtown Cuenca.

Barely a year later, in 1531, the Spanish conquistadors, under Francisco Pizarro, arrived to find an Inca empire torn by civil war. Atahualpa wanted to reestablish a unified Incan empire; the Spanish, however, had conquest intentions and established themselves in a fort in Cajamarca, captured Atahualpa during the Battle of Cajamarca, and held him for ransom. The Incas filled one room with gold and two with silver to secure his release. Despite being surrounded and vastly outnumbered, the Spanish executed Atahualpa. To escape the confines of the fort, the Spaniards fired all their cannons and broke through the lines of the bewildered Incans. In subsequent years, the Spanish colonists became the new elite, centering their power in the vice-royalties of Nueva Granada and Lima. January 26 - Lisbon, Portugal is hit by an earthquake - thousands die. ... Conquistador (Spanish: kōn-kē-stŏ-dōr) (meaning Conqueror in the Spanish language) is the term used to refer to the soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas and Asia Pacific under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 17th centuries, starting with the 1492 settlement... Francisco Pizarro Francisco Pizarro González should not be confused with another Francisco Pizarro who joined Hernán Cortés to conquer the Aztecs. ... This article is about the city of Cajamarca. ... Combatants Aragon and Castille Inca Empire Commanders Francisco Pizarro Atahualpa Strength 106 infantry 62 cavalry 3 guns 80,000 soldiers of Atahualpas personal army Casualties 5 dead[1], 2 wounded 7,000 The Battle of Cajamarca was a surprise attack on the Inca royal entourage orchestrated by Francisco Pizarro. ... The Viceroyalty of New Granada was the name given to a group of colonial provinces in northern South America, corresponding mainly to modern Colombia. ... For other uses, see Lima (disambiguation). ...

Old downtown Quito, first world heritage by UNESCO.

The indigenous population was decimated by disease during the first decades of Spanish rule — a time when the natives also were forced into the "encomienda" labor system for Spanish landlords. In 1563, Quito became the seat of a royal audiencia (administrative district) of Spain and part of the Vice-Royalty of Lima, and later the Vice-Royalty of Nueva Granada. The encomienda[1] system was a trusteeship labor system employed by the Spanish crown during the Spanish colonization of the Americas and the Philippines in order to consolidate their conquests. ... Events February 1 - Sarsa Dengel succeeds his father Menas as Emperor of Ethiopia February 18 - The Duke of Guise is assassinated while besieging Orléans March - Peace of Amboise. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... Real Audiencia de Quito, Real Cédula de 1563 The Royal Audience of Quito or Audiencia Real de Quito (1563-1822) was created August 29, 1563 by the King Philip II of Spain in the city of Guadalajara. ... The Viceroyalty of New Granada was the name given to a group of colonial provinces in northern South America, corresponding mainly to modern Colombia. ...

After nearly 300 years of Spanish colonization, Quito still was a small city of only 10,000 inhabitants. It was there, on August 10, 1809 (the national holiday), that the first call for independence from Spain was made in Latin America ("Primer Grito de la Independencia"), under the leadership of the city's criollos like Carlos Montúfar, Eugenio Espejo and Bishop Cuero y Caicedo. Quito's nickname, "Luz de América" ("Light of America"), comes from the idea that this first attempt produced the inspiration for the rest of Spanish America, creating a domino effect that would ultimately lead to the expulsion of Spain from the continent. For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1809 (MDCCCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... Francisco Javier Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo (born Luis Chuzhig) (Royal Audience of Quito, 1747-1795) was a medical pioneer, writer and lawyer of mestizo origin in colonial Ecuador. ... The first uprising against Spanish rule took place in 1809, but only in 1822 did Ecuador gain independence as part of the Federation of Gran Colombia, from which it withdrew in 1830. ... The domino effect refers to a small change which will cause a similar change nearby, which then will cause another similar change, and so on in linear sequence, by analogy to a falling row of dominoes standing on end. ...

The independence

On October 9, 1820, Guayaquil became the first city in Ecuador to gain its independence from Spain. It was not until May 24, 1822, that the rest of Ecuador gained its independence after Field Marshal Antonio José de Sucre defeated the Spaniard Royalist forces at the Batalla de Pichincha (Battle of Pichincha) near Quito. Following the battle, Ecuador joined Simón Bolívar's Republic of Gran Colombia, only to become a republic in 1830. is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... This article is about the South American independence leader. ... Capital Bogotá Created 1819 Dissolved 1830 Demonym Colombian Departments of the Republic Great Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, was a short-lived republic in South America consisting of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The 19th century for Ecuador was marked by instability, with a rapid succession of rulers. The first president of Ecuador was the Venezuelan born Juan José Flores, who was ultimately deposed, followed by many authoritarian leaders such as Vicente Rocafuerte, José Joaquín de Olmedo, José María Urbina, Diego Noboa, Pedro José de Arteta, Manuel de Ascásubi and Flores's own son, Antonio Flores Jijón, among others. The conservative Gabriel Garcia Moreno unified the country in the 1860s with the support of the Roman Catholic Church. In the late 19th century, world demand for cocoa tied the economy to commodity exports and led to migrations from the highlands to the agricultural frontier on the coast. Juan José Flores (July 19, 1800–October 1, 1864), called The founder of the Republic, was a military general who became the first president of Ecuador in 1830, and later served two more terms, from 1839 to 1843 and from 1843 to 1845. ... Vicente Rocafuerte (1783-05-01 – 1847-05-16) was an influential figure in Ecuadorian politics and President of Ecuador from 1834-09-10 to 1839-01-31. ... José Joaquín de Olmedo (1780 1847) was President of Ecuador from June 6, 1845, to June 18, 1845, and a second time from June 18, 1845, to December 8, 1845. ... Diego Noboa was President of Ecuador 8 December 1850 to 26 February 1851 and 26 February 1851 to 17 July 1851. ... Manuel de Ascásubi was President of Ecuador 16 May 1869 to 10 August 1869. ... Antonio Flores Jijón Antonio Flores Jijón (1833 1915) was President of Ecuador 17 August 1888 to 1 July 1892. ... Gabriel García Moreno (1821 — 1875) was an Ecuadorian statesman who twice served as President of that country (1859-1865 and 1869-1875). ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... For other uses, see Cocoa (disambiguation). ...

The liberal revolution

A coastal-based liberal revolution in 1895 under Eloy Alfaro reduced the power of the clergy and the conservative land owners of the highlands, and this liberal wing retained power until the military "Julian Revolution" of 1925. The 1930s and 1940s were marked by instability and emergence of populist politicians such as five-time President José María Velasco Ibarra. Year 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Eloy Alfaro Eloy Alfaro Delgado (June 25, 1842-January 28, 1912) was president of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ~~José Maria Velasco Ibarra (1893 - 1979) was an Ecuadorian political figure. ...

War with Peru

Control over territory in the Amazon basin led to a long-lasting dispute between Ecuador and Peru. In 1941, amid fast-growing tensions between the two countries, war broke out. Peru claimed that Ecuador's military presence in Peruvian-claimed territory was an invasion; Ecuador, for its part, claimed that Peru had invaded Ecuador. In July 1941, troops were mobilized in both countries. Peru had an army of 11,681 troops who faced a poorly-supplied and inadequately-armed Ecuadorean force of 2,300, of which only 1,300 were deployed in the southern provinces. Hostilities erupted on July 5, 1941, when Peruvian forces crossed the Zarumilla river at several locations, testing the strength and resolve of the Ecuadorean border troops. Finally, on July 23, 1941, the Peruvians launched a major invasion, crossing the Zarumilla river in force and advancing into the Ecuadorean province of El Oro. Amazon River basin The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... El Oro is a province of Ecuador. ...

During the course of the war, Peru gained control over some part of the disputed territory and some part of province of El Oro, and some parts of the province of Loja, demanding that the Ecuadorean government give up its territorial claims. The Peruvian Navy tried to block the port of Guayaquil, almost cutting supplies to the Ecuadorean troops. After a few weeks of war and under pressure by the U.S. and several Latin American nations, all fighting came to a stop. Ecuador and Peru came to an accord formalized in the Rio Protocol, signed on January 29, 1942, in favor of hemispheric unity against the Axis Powers in World War II. As a result of its victory, Peru was awarded the disputed territory. Map of El Oro Province in Ecuador. ... Loja is a province in Ecuador. ... Peruvian Navy Jack The Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the peruvian littoral. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... The Rio Protocol of 1942 temporarily settled a border war between Peru and Ecuador. ... is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Black: Zenith of the Axis Powers Capital Not applicable Political structure Military alliance Historical era World War II  - Tripartite Pact September 27, 1940  - Anti-Comintern Pact November 25, 1936  - Pact of Steel May 22, 1939  - Dissolved 1945 This article is about the independent countries (states) that comprised the Axis powers. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Due to the fact that a small river in the conflict region was not cataloged in the Rio de Janeiro Protocol, Ecuadorean governments believed the Rio Protocol was not valid. It would take two more undeclared wars before a peace agreement was finally reached in October 1998 to end hostilities. (See Paquisha Incident and Cenepa War.) The Rio Protocol of 1942 temporarily settled a border war between Peru and Ecuador. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Combatants Republic of Peru Republic of Ecuador Commanders Fernando Belaúnde Terry Jaime Roldós Aguilera The Paquisha Incident, also known as Paquisha War in Ecuador, and as Falso Paquisha War in Peru, was a brief 7-days military clash that took place in 1981. ... Combatants Republic of Peru Republic of Ecuador Commanders President Alberto Fujimori President Sixto Durán Ballén The Cenepa War (January 26 – February 28, 1995), also known as the Alto Cenepa War, was a brief and localized military conflict between Ecuador and Peru, fought over control of a disputed area...

Recession and popular unrest led to a return to populist politics and domestic military interventions in the 1960s, while foreign companies developed oil resources in the Ecuadorean Amazon. In 1972, construction of the Andean pipeline was completed. The pipeline brought oil from the east side of the Andes to the coast, making Ecuador South America's second largest oil exporter. Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Military governments (1972-1979)

That same year a "revolutionary and nationalist" military junta overthrew the government of Velasco Ibarra. The coup d'etat was led by General Guillermo Rodríguez and executed by a navy commander named Jorge Queirolo G. The new president exiled José María Velasco to Argentina remaining in power until 1976, when he was removed by another military government. It was a military junta led by Admiral Alfredo Poveda, who was declared chairman of the Supreme Council. The Supreme Council had two other members as well, general Guillermo Durán Arcentales and general Luis Leoro Franco. After the country stabilized, socially and economically, this Supreme Council proceeded to hold democratic elections and stepped down to hand presidential duties over to the newly democratically elected president. A military dictatorship is a form of government wherein the political power resides with the military; it is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara was the dictator of Ecuador from February 6, 1972 to January 11, 1976. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alfredo Poveda was President of Ecuador 11 January 1976 to 10 August 1979. ...

Return to a new democracy

Elections were held in 1979 under a new Constitution. Jaime Roldós Aguilera was elected President, governing until May 24, 1981, when he died in a plane crash. By 1982, the government of Osvaldo Hurtado faced an economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, budget deficits, a falling currency, mounting debt service, and uncompetitive industries, leading to chronic government instability. Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Jaime Roldós Aguilera (b. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Osvaldo Hurtadowas President of Ecuador 24 May 1981 to 10 August 1984. ...

The 1984 presidential elections were narrowly won by León Febres Cordero Rivadeneira, of the Social Christian Party (PSC). During the first years of his administration, Febres-Cordero introduced free-market economic policies, took a strong stand against drug trafficking and terrorism, and pursued close relations with the United States. His tenure was marred by bitter wrangling with other branches of Government and his own brief kidnapping by elements of the military. A devastating earthquake in March 1987 interrupted oil exports and worsened the country's economic problems. This article is about the year. ... León Febres Cordero (born March 9, 1931) was President of Ecuador for a four-year term 10 August 1984 to 10 August 1988. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... Terrorist redirects here. ... This article is about the natural seismic phenomenon. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ...

Rodrigo Borja Cevallos of the Democratic Left (Izquierda Democrática or ID) party won the presidency in 1988, running in the runoff election against Abdalá Bucaram of the PRE. His government was committed to improving human rights protection and carried out some reforms, notably an opening of Ecuador to foreign trade. The Borja government concluded an accord leading to the disbanding of the small terrorist group, "¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo!" ("Alfaro Lives, Dammit!") named after Eloy Alfaro. However, continuing economic problems undermined the popularity of the ID, and opposition parties gained control of Congress in 1990. Rodrigo Borja Cevallos (born 19 June 1935) was President of Ecuador from 10 August 1988 to 10 August 1992. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortiz (born February 20, 1952 in Guayaquil) is an Ecuadorian lawyer and politician, He was also a sprinter in the 1972 Olympic team, the police chief of Guayas and the president of Barcelona Sporting Club, a soccer team from his hometown. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... ¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (roughly translated Alfaro Lives, Dammit! and named after Eloy Alfaro) was a clandestine leftwing group in Ecuador founded on August 12, 1983. ... Eloy Alfaro Eloy Alfaro Delgado (June 25, 1842-January 28, 1912) was president of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911. ... This article is about the year. ...

Many years of mismanagement, starting with the mishandling of the country's debt during the 1970s military regime, had left the country essentially ungovernable. Since the mid 1990s, the government of Ecuador has been characterized by a weak executive branch that struggles to appease the ruling classes represented in the legislative and judiciary. The three democratically elected presidents during the period 1996-2006 all failed to finish their terms. // List of Heads of State of Ecuador and its precursor states (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- Sources http://www. ...

The emergence of the indigenous population (approximately 25 percent) as an active constituency has added to the democratic volatility of the country in recent years. The population have been motivated by government failures to deliver on promises of land reform, lower unemployment and provision of social services, and historical exploitation by the land-holding elite.

Their movement, along with the continuing destabilizing efforts by both the Elite and Leftist movements, have led to a deterioration of the executive office. The populace and the other branches of government give the president very little political capital, as illustrated by the most recent ouster of a president. In April 2005, Ecuador's congress ousted President Lucio Gutiérrez. Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (born March 23, 1957), Ecuadorian soldier and politician. ...

The vice-president, Alfredo Palacio, took his place and remained in office until the presidential election of 2006, which did not produce a conclusive winner until a runoff election on 26 November elected Rafael Correa over Alvaro Noboa.^[1] Teachers campaign outside of Palacios presidential palace in August 2005 Luis Alfredo Palacio González (born January 22, 1939) is the current President of Ecuador. ... On 15 October 2006, Ecuador held a general election. ... Runoff voting is a voting system used in single-seat elections. ... is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (born 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil) [1]is the President of the Republic of Ecuador. ... Álvaro Noboa (born November 1, 1950 in Guayaquil) is an Ecuadorian businessman and politician. ...

Politics

Current president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa.

Main articles: Politics of Ecuador and Foreign relations of Ecuador

The constitution provides for concurrent four-year terms for the president, vice president, and members of Congress. Presidents may be re-elected after an intervening term, while legislators may be re-elected immediately. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 487 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1045 × 1287 pixel, file size: 859 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 487 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1045 × 1287 pixel, file size: 859 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (born 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil) [1]is the President of the Republic of Ecuador. ... This article was imported from the CIA World Factbook and needs to be rewritten and/or reformatted in accordance with Wikipedia styles. ... Ecuador always has placed great emphasis on multilateral approaches to international problems. ...

The executive branch includes 25 ministries. Provincial governors and councilors (mayors, aldermen, and parish boards) are directly elected. Congress meets throughout the year except for recesses in July and December. There are 69 seven-member congressional committees. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Congress for indefinite terms.

On September 30, 2007 Ecuador elected a constituent assembly, dominated by President Rafael Correa's PAIS Alliance, charged with rewriting the Constitution of Ecuador. is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... On 30 September 2007 an election for a Constituent Assembly was held in Ecuador following the referendum on this issue successfully held on 15 April 2007. ... On 30 September 2007 an election for a Constituent Assembly was held in Ecuador following the referendum on this issue successfully held on 15 April 2007. ... Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (born 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil) [1]is the President of the Republic of Ecuador. ... PAIS Alliance (Proud and Sovereign Fatherland) (Spanish: ; país also means country) is a political party in Ecuador led by the incumbent President of Ecuador Rafael Correa. ...

Ecuador has often placed great emphasis on multilateral approaches to international issues. Ecuador is a member of the United Nations (and most of its specialized agencies) and a member of many regional groups, including the Rio Group, the Latin American Economic System, the Latin American Energy Organization, the Latin American Integration Association, and The Andean Pact.

Provinces and cantons

Main articles: Provinces of Ecuador and Cantons of Ecuador

Ecuador is divided into 24 provinces (provincias), each with its own administrative capital: Provinces of Ecuador Ecuador is divided into 22 provinces (Spanish: provincias, singular - provincia): Province (Capital) Azuay (Cuenca) Bolívar (Guaranda) Cañar (Azogues) Carchi (Tulcán) Chimborazo (Riobamba) Cotopaxi (Latacunga) El Oro (Machala) Esmeraldas (Esmeraldas) Galápagos (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) Guayas (Guayaquil) Imbabura (Ibarra) Loja (Loja) Los Ríos (Babahoyo... A canton is a tertiary subdivision of Ecuador, below provinces. ... A province is a territorial unit, almost always a country subdivision. ...

The provinces are divided into 199 cantons and subdivided into parishes (parroquias). A canton is a tertiary subdivision of Ecuador, below provinces. ... A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. ...

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Ecuador

Map of Ecuador

Ecuador has three main geographic regions, plus an insular region in the Pacific Ocean: Map of Ecuador Ecuador is a country in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator (for which the country is named), between Colombia and Peru. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 491 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1019 × 1245 pixel, file size: 253 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Map of Ecuador produced by the CIA ..corn popz lubbin carlos File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 491 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1019 × 1245 pixel, file size: 253 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Map of Ecuador produced by the CIA ..corn popz lubbin carlos File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this...

• La Costa, or the coast, comprises the low-lying land in the western part of the country, including the Pacific coastline.
• La Sierra ("the highlands") is the high-altitude belt running north to south along the center of the country, its mountainous terrain dominated by the Andes mountain range.
• El Oriente ("the east") comprises the Amazon rainforest areas in the eastern part of the country, accounting for just under half of the country's total surface area, though populated by under 5 percent of the population.
• The Región Insular is the region comprising the Galápagos Islands, some 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) west of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean.

Ecuador's capital is Quito, which is in the province of Pichincha in the Sierra region. Its largest city is Guayaquil, in the province of Guayas on the Coast. Cotopaxi, which is just south of Quito, features one of the world's highest active volcanoes. The top of Mount Chimborazo (6,310-m above sea level) is considered to be the most distant point from the center of the earth, given the ovoidal shape of the planet (wider at the equator). This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Map of the Amazon rainforest ecoregions as delineated by the WWF. Yellow line encloses the Amazon rainforest. ... Galápagos redirects here. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. ... Pichincha is an active volcano in the country of Ecuador whose capital Quito wraps around its eastern slopes. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... Guayas is the most populated province in Ecuador. ... Cotopaxi is a volcano located about 50 km south of Quito, Ecuador. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... Mount Chimborazo is an extinct volcano located in the Andes mountains of central Ecuador, 150 kilometres south-southwest of the capital Quito. ... An oval or ovoid was originally an egg shape (from Latin OVVM); it is now usually used to refer to ellipses, but can also mean any similar shape, such as egg shapes or race-course shapes (a semicircle on either side of a quadrilateral). ...

Although the country is not particularly large (the size of the U.S. state of Colorado), there is great variety in the climate, largely determined by altitude. The Pacific coastal area has a tropical climate, with a severe rainy season. The climate in the Andean highlands is temperate and relatively dry; and the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones.

Because of its location at the equator, Ecuador experiences little variation in daylight hours during the course of a year.

Biodiversity

Galápagos turtle

Ecuador is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world according to Conservation International.^[2] With 1600 bird species (15 percent of the world's known bird species) in the continental area, and 38 more endemic in the Galápagos. In addition to 25,000 species of plants, the country has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterfly. The Galápagos Islands are well known as a region of distinct