| OVERVIEW |
| Background |
The "Republic of the Equator"
was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of
Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela).
Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series
of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that
flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. |
| Natural
resources |
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower |
| Land use |
arable land: 5.69%
permanent crops: 5.15%
other: 89.16% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
13,710,234 (July 2003 est.) |
| Ethnic groups |
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian
25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% |
| Religions |
Roman Catholic 95% |
| Languages |
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially
Quechua) |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5%
male: 94%
female: 91% (2003 est.) |
| Capital |
Quito |
| Government
type |
republic |
| Independence |
24 May 1822 (from Spain) |
| National
holiday |
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10
August (1809) |
