Total Area: 256,370 km²
Population: 13.5 million
Official Language: Spanish
Location: On the equator in the north western region of South America
Regions of Ecuador: Due to its diverse geography and climate zones, including the Andes mountain range, coastal
regions and part of the Amazon basin, Ecuador has four distinct regions.
• The Pacific Coast is hot all year round. In the south it is dry whereas in the north it is humid.
• In the Andes there are temperate and cold areas depending on the altitude.
• The Amazon region has high temperatures and heavy amounts of rainfall.
• The Galapagos Islands has a moderate sub-tropical climate. The islands are famous because the
foundation of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution stems from observations made within the archipelago.
Currency: The Sucre was the local currency for 125 years. In 2000, Ecuador adopted the American dollar as its
official currency.
Indigenous People of Ecuador: In Ecuador there are 14 ethnic groups that still survive in different regions of the
country and maintain their own language and Cosmo-vision.
• Pacific Coast: Chachis, Afro-Ecuadorian, Awá and Tsáchila (Colorados)
• Amazon region: Eastern Quichuas, Huaorani, Achuar, Shuar, Cofán, Siona, Secoya, Shiwiar and Záparo.
• Highlands: Quichuas (including Otavaleños, Salasacas, Cañaris and Saraguros)
National Economy: Though oil is the largest industry in Ecuador, a large sector of the economy is based on
agriculture. Ecuador is the world’s largest banana producer and a major flower exporter. Other exports include
cocoa and shrimp. Additionally, because of the country’s diverse geography and increasing focus on conservation,
tourism is a growing industry and has become the country’s fourth largest income provider. Ecuador also has non-
traditional exports like exotic fruits, Panama hats, vegetable ivory, handicrafts and salsas.
Natural Environment: Ecuador is considered one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. The nation’s drastic
geographic and climatic variations have led to evolution of thousands of species of flora and fauna. Ecuador holds
10% of the world’s plant species (25,000 species of trees), approximately 8 % of the world’s animals and 18% of
the planet’s birds. This amounts to 1,640 bird species, 4,500 species of butterflies, 350 species of reptiles, 375
species of amphibians and 1,550 species of mammals and 800 fresh water fish species. Ecuador has 46
ecosystems that start at sea level and rise to an altitude of around 6,400 meters inside its total area of 256, 370
km². Despite its relatively small size, Ecuador is home of rain forest, cloud forest, mountains, islands, deserts,
valleys and snow capped volcanoes.