Ecuador

Ecuador

Introduction

Background

What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty – New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito – gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the “Republic of the Equator.” 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. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador’s last four democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador’s 20th since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, were held in April 2009, and voters re-elected President Rafael CORREA.

Geography

Location

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 283,561 sq km
country comparison to the world: 74 land:276,841 sq km
water:6,720 sq km
note:includes Galapagos Islands

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Nevada

Land boundaries

total: 2,010 km
border countries:Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Coastline

2,237 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf:100 nm from 2,500-m isobath

Climate

tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations

tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Terrain

coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:Chimborazo 6,267 m
note:due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea-level

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops:4.81%
other:89.48% (2005)

Irrigated land

8,650 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

432 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 16.98cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%)
per capita:1,283cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

frequent earthquakes

landslides

volcanic activity

floods

periodic droughts
volcanism:Ecuador experiences volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains

Sangay (elev. 5,230 m), which erupted in 2010, is mainland Ecuador’s most active volcano

other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua

Fernandina (elev. 1,476 m), a shield volcano that last erupted in 2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes

other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago

Environment – current issues

deforestation

soil erosion

desertification

water pollution

pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

Environment – international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective:Ecuadorian

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%

Languages

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Religions

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Population

15,007,343 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.1% (male 2,301,840/female 2,209,971)
15-64 years:63.5% (male 4,699,548/female 4,831,521)
65 years and over:6.4% (male 463,481/female 500,982) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 25.7 years
male:25 years
female:26.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.443% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Birth rate

19.96 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Death rate

5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Net migration rate

-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Urbanization

urban population: 67% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Guayaquil 2.634 million

QUITO (capital) 1.801 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.93 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

140 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 62

Infant mortality rate

total: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 99 male:23.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.73 years
country comparison to the world: 81 male:72.79 years
female:78.82 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.42 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Health expenditures

5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 140

Physicians density

1.48 physicians/1,000 population (2000)
country comparison to the world: 81

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 123

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 97% of population
rural: 88% of population
total: 94% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3% of population
rural: 12% of population
total: 6% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 84% of population
total: 92% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 16% of population
total: 8% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

37,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

HIV/AIDS – deaths

2,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease:leptospirosis (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.2% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 76

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:91%
male:92.3%
female:89.7% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:13 years
female:14 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.1%
country comparison to the world: 81 male:11.7%
female:18.1% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form:Ecuador
local long form:Republica del Ecuador
local short form:Ecuador

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Quito
geographic coordinates:0 13 S, 78 30 W
time difference:UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

24 provinces (provincias, singular – provincia)

Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Independence

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

Constitution

20 October 2008

Legal system

civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

16 years of age

universal, compulsory for persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters

Executive branch

chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007)

Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007)

Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term

election last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results:President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president

percent of vote – Rafael CORREA Delgado 52%

Lucio GUTIERREZ 28.2%

Alvaro NOBOA 11.4%

other 8.4%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (124 seats

members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PAIS 59, PSP 19, PSC 11, PRIAN 7, MPD 5, PRE 3, other 20

note – defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties

Judicial branch

National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (according to the Constitution, justices are elected through a procedure overseen by the Judiciary Council)

Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (Constitutional Court justices are appointed by a commission composed of two delegates each from the Executive, Legislative, and Transparency branches of government)

Political parties and leaders

Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]

Democratic Left or ID [Dalton BACIGALUPO]

Ethical and Democratic Network or RED [Martha ROLDOS]

Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Vicente TAIANO]

Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement – New Country or MUPP-NP [Rafael ANTUNI]

Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]

Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS]

Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Pulley, director]

Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]

Socialist Party – Broad Front or PS-FA [Rafael QUINTERO]

Warrior’s Spirit Movement [Jaime NEBOT]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Marlon SANTI, president]

Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Manuel CHUGCHILAN, president]

National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Luis Alberto ANDRANGO Cadena, president]

National Teacher’s Union or UNE [Mariana PALLASCO]

International organization participation

CAN, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

Charge d’Affaires Efrain Baus PALACIOS
chancery:2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 234-7200
FAX:[1] (202) 667-3482
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven, New Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

Charge d’Affaires Timothy ZUNIGA-BROWN
embassy:Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito
mailing address:Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras
telephone:[593] (2) 398-5000
FAX:[593] (2) 398-5100
consulate(s) general:Guayaquil

Flag description

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag

the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830

the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice
note:similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

National symbol(s)

Andean condor

National anthem

name: “Salve, Oh Patria!” (We Salute You Our Homeland)
lyrics/music:Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE
note:adopted 1948

Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865

only the chorus and second verse are sung

Economy

Economy – overview

Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country’s export earnings and approximately one-third of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP contracting by 5.3%. Poverty increased significantly, the banking system collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt. In March 2000, the Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew an average of 5.2% per year, the highest five-year average in 25 years. After moderate growth in 2007, the economy reached a growth rate of 7.2% in 2008, in large part due to high global petroleum prices and increased public sector investment. President Rafael CORREA, who took office in January 2007, defaulted in December 2008 on Ecuador’s sovereign debt, which, with a total face value of approximately US$3.2 billion, represented about 80% of Ecuador’s private external debt. In May 2009, Ecuador bought back 91% of its “defaulted” bonds via an international auction. Economic policies under the CORREA administration – including an announcement in late 2009 of its intention to terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties, including one with the United States – have generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. The Ecuadorian economy contracted 0.4% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and to the sharp decline in world oil prices and remittance flows. Growth picked up to a 3.7% rate in 2010, according to Ecuadorian government estimates.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$115 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64 $111.4 billion (2009 est.)
$111 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$58.91 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119 0.4% (2009 est.)
7.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$7,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124 $7,600 (2009 est.)
$7,700 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 6.4%
industry:35.9%
services:57.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.645 million (urban) (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 8.3%
industry:21.2%
services:70.4% (2005)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83 8.5% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

33.1% (June 2010)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%:35.3%
note:data for urban households only (June 2010)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

46.9 (June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 31 50.5 (2006)
note:data are for urban households

Investment (gross fixed)

25.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Budget

revenues: $21.5 billion
expenditures:$23.7 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Public debt

23.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 19.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120 5.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.68% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 35 9.19% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118 9.203% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.421 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84 $5.201 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$21.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 $18.83 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$16.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 $12.31 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.263 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 87 $4.248 billion (31 December 2009)
$4.562 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane

cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products

balsa wood

fish, shrimp

Industries

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate

3.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Electricity – production

18.06 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity – consumption

14.75 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity – exports

21 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.099 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

485,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

Oil – consumption

201,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Oil – exports

364,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Oil – imports

80,430 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Oil – proved reserves

6.51 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Natural gas – production

296 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas – consumption

296 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas – proved reserves

7.985 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83

Current account balance

-$1.917 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157 -$179.8 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$18.06 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72 $14.41 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish

Exports – partners

US 37.3%, Panama 13%, Peru 6.2%, Colombia 4.5%, Russia 4.2%, Chile 4.2% (2010)

Imports

$19.64 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72 $14.27 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports – partners

US 29.6%, Colombia 9.3%, China 8.1%, Venezuela 5.9%, Brazil 5.3% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.622 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105 $3.792 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$14.32 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83 $14.73 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$12.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 $11.95 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$6.848 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 $7.962 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar became Ecuador’s currency in 2001

Transportation

Airports

428 (2010)
country comparison to the world:18

Airports – with paved runways

total: 105
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:17
914 to 1,523 m:25
under 914 m:55 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 323
914 to 1,523 m:39
under 914 m:284 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Pipelines

extra heavy crude 434 km

gas 5 km

oil 1,378 km

refined products 1,262 km (2010)

Railways

total: 965 km
country comparison to the world: 90 narrow gauge:965 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 43,670 km
country comparison to the world: 85 paved:6,472 km
unpaved:37,198 km (2007)

Waterways

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 53

Merchant marine

total: 41
country comparison to the world: 76 by type:cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 1
registered in other countries:7 (Bolivia 1, Panama 6) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

Military

Military branches

Ecuadorian Armed Forces: Ecuadorian Land Force (Fuerza Terrestre Ecuatoriana, FTE), Ecuadorian Navy (Fuerza Naval del Ecuador (FNE), includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for selective conscript military service

12-month service obligation (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 3,728,906
females age 16-49:3,844,918 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,834,213
females age 16-49:3,269,535 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 152,593
female:147,143 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 134

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador’s shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 11,526 (Colombia)

note – UNHCR estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of deportation (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Ecuador is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor

the majority of trafficking victims are believed to be women and children trafficked within the country from border and central highland areas to urban centers for nonconsensual commercial sexual exploitation, as well as for domestic servitude, forced begging, and forced labor in mines and other hazardous work

children are forced to work as domestic servants, street vendors, and beggars and some are forced to engage in criminal activity, such as drug trafficking and robbery

Ecuadorian women are subjected to forced prostitution in Colombia, Peru, and Western Europe

Ecuador is a destination country for Colombian, Peruvian, and to a lesser extent, Chinese women and girls subjected to sex trafficking
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government did not show evidence of increased efforts to address forced labor and sex trafficking crimes involving adults, or trafficking-related complicity of local government officials, and government protections for adult victims remained inadequate

the government did, however, sustain modest law enforcement measures against child sex trafficking offenders, and continued to work with civil society and the private sector to raise awareness of forced labor and sex trafficking of children (2011)

Illicit drugs

significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters

importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics

attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime

increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2011)