- For a topic outline on this subject, see List of basic Ecuador topics.
Ecuador ( EK-wə-dor; Spanish pronunciation: [ekwaˈðoɾ] ( listen); Quechua: Ikwayur; Shuar: Ecuador or Ekuatur), officially the Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: Ikwadur Ripuwlika; Shuar: Ekuatur Nunka), is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometres (621 mi) west of the mainland. The capital is Quito.
The territories of modern-day Ecuador were once home to a variety of Amerindian groups that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by Spain during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as its own sovereign state in 1830. The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its 17.1 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of European, Native American, and African descendants. Spanish is the official language and is spoken by a majority of the population, though 13 Native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.
The sovereign state of Ecuador is a middle-income representative democratic republic and a developing country that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. It is governed as a democratic presidential republic. One of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador hosts many endemic plants and animals, such as those of the Galápagos Islands. In recognition of its unique ecological heritage, the new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of nature, or ecosystem rights. It also has the fifth lowest homicide rate in the Americas. Between 2006 and 2016, poverty decreased from 36.7% to 22.5% and annual per capita GDP growth was 1.5 percent (as compared to 0.6 percent over the prior two decades). At the same time, the country's Gini index of economic inequality decreased from 0.55 to 0.47. (Full article...)
The Galápagos tortoise complex or Galápagos giant tortoise complex (Chelonoidis nigra and related species) are the largest living species of tortoise. Modern Galápagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). Today, giant tortoises exist on only two remote archipelagos: the Galápagos Islands about 1,000 km (620 mi) due west of mainland Ecuador; and Aldabrachelys gigantea of Aldabra in the Indian Ocean, 700 km (430 mi) east of Tanzania.
The Galápagos tortoises are native to seven of the Galápagos Islands. With lifespans in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. A captive individual lived at least 170 years. Spanish explorers, who discovered the islands in the 16th century, named them after the Spanish galápago, meaning "tortoise". ( Full article...)
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Ecuador articles by quality and importance
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2
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2
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4
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8
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1
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3
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1
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4
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1
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10
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7
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5
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7
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14
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12
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45
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8
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8
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20
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60
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45
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141
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18
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39
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90
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465
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2
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329
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943
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14
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13
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41
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3,039
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5
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1,009
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4,121
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3
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2
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7
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39
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1
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27
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79
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4
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2,006
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2,010
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3
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3
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82
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8,313
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The following are images from various Ecuador-related articles on Wikipedia.
Alpaca Scarf´s at the Otavalo Artisan Market.
Traditional Alpaca clothing at the Otavalo Artisan Market
Former President Rafael Correa (left) attends President-elect Lenín Moreno's (middle) 'changing of the guard' ceremony. The two PAIS leaders were considered close allies before Moreno's "De-correaization" efforts started after he assumed the presidency.
The Spanish Historical Center in Quito, Ecuador
Traditional Handmade hats for sale at the Otavalo Artisan Market in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador
Hand painted crafts at the Otavalo Artisan Market
Map of the former Gran Colombia in 1824 (named in its time as Colombia), the Gran Colombia covered all the colored region.
General Antonio José de Sucre, Commander In Chief, División del Sur.
A bowl of fanesca served in Quito, Ecuador. A traditional soup of Ecuador served around Easter.
- ...that Ecuador's biodiversity is amongst the highest in the world. For instance more than 16,000 species of plants, including 4,000 species of orchids.
- ...that the fastest-growing cities, receiving the least media attention, Esmeraldas, Manta, Salinas, and Machala all being port cities have doubled their growth, and have the most stable economies in the country, leaving Nueva Loja, the only inland city to have equalled that growth.
- ...that Quito (the capital of Ecuador) has the highest cable car in the world.
- ...that Quito (the capital of Ecuador) has the most extensive colonial district of Latin America.
- ...that Guayaquil (Ecuador's largest city) has the most modern airport of the Latin American region... (see municipalidad de guayaquil in red)
- ...that Panama hats are not actually made in Panama but in Ecuador.
- ...that Guayaquil (Ecuador's largest city) became the first intelligent city in incorporating a global free internet access at the hot spots of the city.
- ...that it is the only place in the world where you can actually visualize that you are standing on the northern hemisphere as well as on the southern hemisphere.
Church of Santo Domingo, Quito
Chapel of the Rosary within the church of Santo Domingo, Quito
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