Ecuador is tucked into the northwest corner of South America straddling the equatorial Andes and including the Galapagos Islands 1000 miles off the coast of the Ecuadorian mainland. The climate varies widely depending on elevation. At an elevation of about 9000 feet, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia. Even though the city is right on the equator, the climate is always spring-like due to the elevation. Daytime temperatures are usually around 70 degrees Farenheit and nighttime temperatures drop into the 50s. The weather is typical mountain weather in that it is always changing throughout the day. In the coastal lowlands, and the Amazonian region, the climate is hot, humid, and moist. The weather on the Galapagos islands varies from mild to hot and humid depending on the ocean currents.

Archeaologists have found traces of humans dating back over 10,000 years with traces of more developed cultures that buries their dead dating back to around 6000 BC. Several civilizations including the Caras, Quitu, and Puruhá thrived before the rise of the Inca empire, but the details of their existence are shrouded in mystery and legend. The Inca Empire began to expand into Ecuador in the 15^th century and dominated until Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish conquistadores began taking over in 1532. Pizarro captured and executed the Inca King Atahualpa in 1533. Atahualpa's general continued to fight the Spanish until 1534. When the Spanish fought their way into Quito toward the end of 1534, the Inca army Razed the city before surrendering. In 1535, the Spanish re-founded Quito and began three centuries of colonial rule. In 1830, Ecuador finally won independence from Spain. During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, Ecuador has experienced typical Latin American Political turmoil and, at times, warfare. From 1996 until 2006, not a single president finished a full term in office. Ecuador is a member of the UN and usually favors a multilateral approach to international affairs. The economy is based on agriculture (primarily bananas, shrimp, and coffee) and oil exports. Ecuador faced a major economic crisis in 1999. After a devastating devaluation, the government began "dollarization" and the US Dollar became the national currency, replacing the Ecuador Sucre. Estimates of the percentage of Ecuadorians living below the poverty line. range from 40% to 70%.

Quick Facts

Official Country Name: Republic of Ecuador

Size: 276,840 km²

Population: 13,755,680

Government: Republic

Currency: US Dollar

Official Language: Spanish