Ecuador
Ecuador (/ˈɛkwədɔːr/ ⓘ EK-wə-dor; Spanish pronunciation: [ekwaˈðoɾ] ⓘ; Quechua: Ikwayur; Shuar: Ecuador or Ekuatur), officially the Republic of Ecuador (Spanish: República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: Ikwayur 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 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland. The country's capital is Quito, but its largest city is Guayaquil.
Republic of Ecuador | |
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| Motto: | |
| Anthem: Salve, Oh Patria (Spanish) (English: "Hail, Oh Fatherland") | |
Location of Ecuador (dark green) | |
| Capital | Quito 00°13′12″S 78°30′43″W |
| Largest city | Guayaquil |
| Official languages | Spanish |
| Recognized regional languages | Kichwa (Quechua), Shuar and others "are in official use for indigenous peoples" |
| Ethnic groups (2022) |
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| Religion (2020) |
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| Demonym(s) | Ecuadorian |
| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| Daniel Noboa | |
| Verónica Abad Rojas | |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence | |
• Declared | 10 August 1809 |
• from Spain | 24 May 1822 |
• from Gran Colombia | 13 May 1830 |
• Recognized by Spain | 16 February 1840 |
| 5 June 1895 | |
| 28 September 2008 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 283,561 km2 (109,484 sq mi) (73rd) |
• Water (%) | 5 |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 17,483,326 |
• 2022 census | 16,938,986 (73rd) |
• Density | 69/km2 (178.7/sq mi) (148th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $252.590 billion (68th) |
• Per capita | $13,642 (109th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $122.762 billion (63rd) |
• Per capita | $6,630 (95th) |
| Gini (2022) | 45.5 medium |
| HDI (2021) | 0.740 high · 95th |
| Currency | United States dollara (USD) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 / −6 (ECT / GALT) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +593 |
| ISO 3166 code | EC |
| Internet TLD | .ec |
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The territories of modern-day Ecuador were once home to a variety of indigenous peoples that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by 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.