Location: In northwestern South America, in the middle latitude equator to zero. It borders Colombia on the north, south and east by Peru and the west by the Pacific Ocean. Also is crossed from south to north along the Andes coming from Peru.
Altitude: From sea level up to 6.310 m (Nevado Chimborazo), and Cotopaxi to 5.897 meters.
Independence: From Spain 24 May 1.822 (Battle of Pichincha) / / Separation of Colombia May 13 1.830
Population: 14.2 million inhabitants (2.008). 54% live in urban centers.
Ecuador is ethnically diverse, being of mixed descent (Indian - Spanish) being the most representative (72% of current population). The Amerindians make up about 9%. Caucasians, mostly descendants of Spanish, as well as other Europeans make up 12%. The rest of the population consists of mestizos and afro blacks making up 6% (Concentrated mainly in the north of the country)
Area: 256.370 Km ².
Languages: Spanish is the official, but there are other Indian languages such as Quechua and Shuar use within their respective areas (5% of population). 

History:
Columbian, initially part of these regions were inhabited only by small populations of Indians until they became part of the great Inca Empire. Before the Spanish arrived, the development of Aboriginal culture as reported periods: Paleoindian, Formative, Regional Development, Integration and Inca.

On arrival of the Incas, these peoples were conquered by the Inca Empire's military power and regional pacts between local rulers and delegates of the Empire, during which settlements were built with foreign architecture (Ingapirca and Tumipampa).

Spanish Stage in the 1.534 Benalcazar Sebastian Spanish conquered lands of Ecuador and, after taking Quito, the largest settlement in prehispanic 1.563, re-founded as a Spanish city: San Francisco de Quito, forming part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Spanish used not only indigenous settlements, but used various elements of social structure for the new towns indigenous mestizo.

For submission indigenous institutions were used as Mita and the Commandery, which reduced much of the indigenous population, in addition to diseases like measles, following which brought African people as slaves.

In 1.739 he joined the Viceroyalty of New Granada, next to Caracas, Panama and Bogota. The settlement allowed the development of the arts, especially construction, painting and sculpture, it emphasizes the Quito School, as an area of high artistic production, known until now.

Emancipation and Gran Colombia, The first moves began in 1.809 with the rebellion against Spanish Creoles who formed an Interim Governing Board on 10 August 1.809 in Quito, where participants ended up being imprisoned and killed. At that time the rebels did not advocate independence but spoke of a Monarchist Republic, maintaining loyalty to King Ferdinand VII. Part of the historiography of Ecuador considers this event as the First Cry of Independence Hispano and beginning the process of emancipation of the region.

Later at the refusal of the King of Spain, Ferdinand VII, to abide by the Constitution of Cadiz, it unleashed a wave of independence movements in Spanish America. Thus, the former President and Audiencia of Quito gets separated from the metropolis in the Battle of Pichincha on May 24, 1822, thanks to the success of Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, Simón Bolívar row.

The territories of Quito and Guayaquil (apart from Spain on 9 October 1820 and self-governing), became part of Gran Colombia, but the rivalry between its president, Simón Bolívar and his vice president, Francisco de Paula Santander , caused the disintegration of Gran Colombia in 1.830 prompting other nations: Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Panama.

First century of the Republic, the new republic of Ecuador, was born just 1.835 when finally abandoned in the federation of Gran Colombia, was expected to Sucre as president but was assassinated on the way, as broadcast version, murder on the orders of Venezuelan Juan José Flores, who took the first presidency of the Republic of Ecuador.

Geography:

Ecuador is on the equator, therefore, its territory is located in both hemispheres. Understands the mainland with some islands off the coast, the archipelago or Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 kilometers, away from the coast.

The main relief units are Ecuadorian coastal plain north of the Gulf of Guayaquil, the section of the Andes in the center of the country and a large sector of the Amazonian lowlands located east of the country.

Very near Quito, on the Andes, rises the Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. The highest point in Ecuador's Chimborazo volcano, with 6.313 meters.

Hydrography, The Andes is the one who divides the Amazon River basin, which runs east and the Pacific, including north-south rivers: Mataje, Santiago, Esmeraldas, Chone, Guayas-Puyango Jubones and Tumbes.

Climate:

Due to the Andes and the influence of the sea, continental Ecuador is fragmented in places and, because of its tropical location, each climate zone has only two seasons: wet and dry. On the East Coast and the temperature is between 20 ° C and 33 ° C, while in the mountains, usually between 8 ° C and 23 ° C. The wet season extends from December to May on the coast between November and April in the mountains and from January to September in the Amazon.

Galapagos has a rather mild climate and temperature between 22 and 32C º.

Administrative Division:
Ecuador is divided in 04 regions: Insular, Coast, Sierra and Amazon, and administratively into 24 provinces (including Galapagos Islands), the major metropolitan cities are: 

* Santiago de Guayaquil:     3.8 million of population,
* San Francisco de Quito:    2.4 million of population,
* Cuenca:                                0.5 million of population,
* Manta:                                   0.4 million of population,

Guayaquil is the main concentration south pole of the coast, the main port where they enter and leave 70% of imports and exports. Quito is the second largest metropolitan area, the seat of government and state powers. The third largest city is Cuenca, was the second capital of the Inca empire and is a major cultural center of the country. Manta is the main fishing port.

However, due to the geography and cultural ties, Ecuador is divided in 04 Regions: 

La Costa, is part of the Choco biogeographic, west of the country is flat and fertile area of low elevation. This area is Guayaquil.

La Sierra, for the Ecuadorian side of the Andes, north-south divide the country into two parts. High altitude, with some peaks above 6000 meters, also have several volcanoes are still active as the Tungurahua which erupted in 1.999 is still remembered. In this region and the Andes are recorded some of the most important cities in Ecuador: Quito, Cuenca, Riobamba.

The East, east of Ecuador is part of the Amazon rainforest. Humid and hot.

Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 kms from the coast in the Pacific.

Economy:
Ecuador's economy experienced significant growth between year 2000 and 2006. GDP per capita doubled between 1.999 and 2.007. It is estimated that around 7 million Ecuadorians have an economic occupation.

Ecuador is a country of contrasts of wealth, 1.998 10% of the richest population was 42.5% of income, while 10% of the poor had only 0.6% of the same. The extreme poverty rate has decreased significantly in 2.001 was estimated at 45%, while for the 2.004, the figure dropped to 25% of the total population. This is largely explained by migration and economic stability achieved after the dollarization.

Oil accounts for 40% of exports and contributes to maintaining a positive trade balance. The total trade balance for January 2.008 a surplus of nearly $ 818 million, a huge figure compared with a surplus of 2007, reaching a surplus of $ 5.7 million.

In the agricultural sector, Ecuador is a major exporter of bananas (first place worldwide in their production and export), flowers, and the eighth largest producer of cocoa. It is also significant production of shrimp, sugar cane, rice, cotton, corn, palm and coffee. His wealth includes large tracts of timber across the country eucalyptus.

Moreover, the industry is concentrated mainly in Guayaquil, a major production center of the country, and in Quito where in recent years the industry has grown considerably. Industrial production is intended mainly for domestic market.

Ecuador has negotiated bilateral treaties with other countries, besides belonging to the Andean Community of Nations, and associate membership of Mercosur.

In April of 2.007 Ecuador fully paid its debt to the IMF ending a phase of intervention by the Agency in the country. In 2007, created the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), based in Quito, and whose first Secretary General is former Ecuadorian President Rodrigo Borja Cevallos. It also has been negotiating the creation of Banco del Sur, along with six other South American nations. Ecuador made negotiations for signing an FTA with the U.S., but with the election of President Correa these negotiations were suspended.

In rural areas (where 40% of the population), it is estimated that 60% of them remain in severe poverty, without infrastructure or investing in education.

Tourism:

1.992 was established in the Ministry of Information and Tourism (Government of Sixto Durán Ballén), who envisioned tourism as a key activity for the economic and social development of peoples. Faced with the growing tourism in 1.994 it was decided to separate tourist information, so that is dedicated exclusively to foster and strengthen this activity.

Ecuador is a country with vast natural wealth. The diversity of the four regions has given rise to thousands of species of flora and fauna, diversity of kinds of birds, species of butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Ecuador is considered one of the 17 countries where the majority is concentrated biodiversity on earth. Most of the fauna and flora living in 26 areas protected by the state.

Currency: Currency is the Official from 2,000 U.S. $ U.S. dollar (U.S. $ 1.00 = $ 0.71 EUR)

Religion: Catholic (95.00%) and Protestants (4.00%) Other (1.00%)

Tourist Circuits for Visit:

1 .- Galapagos Islands, is the most important and attracts foreign visitors from all over the world.
2 .- Sierra, Andes, where it is located Quito, a city where half of the world, past colonial and historic center and Culture of Ecuador, south of Quito Riobamba is located starting point to the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo . And Basin and its historic past.
3 .- Guayaquil, modern city, shopping and events in Ecuador are located near the Beaches of Salinas and Playa de Montanitas, much visited by foreigners.
4 .- The East, the Amazon region and the lush flora and fauna, coupled with beautiful journeys.