Ecuador Newspapers | News websites Online.
Ecuador Overview
- Located in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean
- Capital is Quito; largest city is Guayaquil
- Includes the Galápagos Islands, located 1,000 km west of the mainland
Historical Background
- Home to indigenous peoples, joined the Inca Empire in the 15th century
- Colonized by Spain in the 16th century, became independent in 1820
Demographics and Economy
- Population of 17.8 million, mostly mestizo with Spanish as the official language
- Economy relies on petroleum and agriculture
Environmental Aspects
- One of 17 megadiverse countries, home to unique species
- 2008 constitution grants rights to nature
Current Issues
- Ranks 58th in Global Hunger Index, faces rising hunger crisis affecting 2.6 million people