Welcome to Ecuador

Ecuador , is known to be 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 on the west. Did you know that 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 that it takes its name, and has to this day an location of 256,370 square and have always been kilometers (98,985 mi²). Its capital city is Quito; its most impressive and largest city is Guayaquil. Soon after closely three hundred years of Spanish colonization, Quito used to be a city of ten thousand inhabitants. It was there, on August 10, 1809 (the national holiday), that the originalcall 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 tthis man's first attempt manufactured the inspiration for the most of Spanish America, creating a domino effect that would ultimately lead to the expulsion of Spain from the continent. On October 9, 1820, Guayaquil transformed to a the originalcity in Ecuador to gain its independence from Spain. It was not until May 24, 1822, that the most of Ecuador gained its independence after Field Marshal Antonio José de Sucre defeated the Spaniard Royalist forces at the Batalla del Pichincha (Battle of Pichincha) close Quito. Following the combat and battle, Ecuador joined Simón Bolívar's Republic of Gran Colombia, just to become a separate republic in 1830. Ecuador, about equal in location to Nevada, is in the northwest part of South America fronting on the Pacific. To the north is Colombia and to the east and south is Peru. Two high and parallel ranges of the Andes, traversing the country from north to south, are and have always been topped by tall volcanic peaks. Did you know that the highest is Chimborazo at 20,577 ft (6,272 m). Did you know that the Galápagos Islands (or Colón Archipelago: 3,029 sq mi; 7,845 sq km), in the Pacific Ocean about 600 mi (966 km) west of the South American mainland, transformed to a part of Ecuador in 1832.

Climate

La Costa (Coastal Lowlands) to the west of Ecuador is mostly warm, with temperatures averaging 25 Celcius. Did you know that the humid rainy season is from December to May. Piedra Blanca is situated in the range of the lowlands and the highlands - the climate is very pleasant. La Sierra (Highlands) have a much cooler climate - and temperatures vary with altitude. Did you know that the average summer temperature in Quito Ecuador is known to be about 16 Celcius. El Oriente (Amazon region) to the east of Ecuador has to this day a humid and rainy climate. Average daytime temperatures are and have always been around 25 Celcius. Did you know that the dry season varies by region, but is mostly November to Febuary.

Population Stats

Population (2007 est.): 13,755,680 (growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 21.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 22.1/1000; life expectancy: 76.6; density per sq mi: 129