Introduction

Republic of Ecuador
República del Ecuador  (Spanish)
Location of Ecuador (dark green)
Location of Ecuador (dark green)
ISO 3166 codeEC
Ecuador
Ecuador

Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, 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. It also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland. The country's capital is Quito and its largest city is Guayaquil.

The land that comprises modern-day Ecuador was once home to several groups of indigenous peoples that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by the Spanish Empire during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as a sovereign state in 1830. The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its 17.8 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of Europeans, Native American, African, and Asian descendants. Spanish is the official language spoken by a majority of the population, although 13 native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.

Ecuador is a representative democratic presidential republic and a developing country whose economy is highly dependent on exports of commodities, primarily petroleum and agricultural products. The country is a founding member of the United Nations, Organization of American States, Mercosur, PROSUR, and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 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 improved from 0.55 to 0.47.

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. (Full article...)

Carapaz at the 2022 Strade Bianche

Richard Antonio Carapaz Montenegro (born 29 May 1993) is an Ecuadorian professional road racing cyclist who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam EF Education–EasyPost. Carapaz won the 2019 Giro d'Italia, becoming the first Ecuadorian rider to win the race. In July 2021, he won the gold medal in the road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Ecuadorian cyclist to win a medal and only the second Ecuadorian in any sport to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. In doing so, he became the first cyclist to achieve an Olympic road race gold medal and a podium finish in each of the three Grand Tours. (Full article...)

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Ecuador Articles

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  • ... 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 under the 2002 Andean Trade Preference and Drug Eradication Act the United States eliminated tariffs on 6,300 products from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru?
  • ... that Gabriela Rivadeneira, a 29-year old former local beauty queen, has been mentioned as a possible successor for President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa?
  • ... 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 Ecuador 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?

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Parque El Ejido Atacazo

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page name surname WikiSpanish
Jorge Elías Adoum[1] Jorge Adoum
Alfonso Aguilar Ruilova[2] Alfonso Ruilova
Juan Bautista Aguirre[3][4] Juan Bautista Aguirre es:Juan Bautista Aguirre
Ernesto Albán[5][6][7] Ernesto Albán
Belisario Albán Mestanza[8] Belisario Albán
Vicente Albán[9] Vicente Albán
Humberto Albornoz[10] (stub) Humberto Albornoz
Víctor Manuel Albornoz[11][12] Víctor Manuel Albornoz Cabanilla
Isidro Ayora Isisdro Ayora Cueva
Gilberto Almeida Gilberto Almeida
Lila Álvarez Garcia Lila Álvarez Garcia
Francisco Andrade Marín Francisco Andrade Marin

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