Ecuador is a small country located in South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It has a diverse landscape that includes the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountain range, and the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador has a population of approximately 17 million people and the official language is Spanish. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with indigenous peoples making up a significant portion of the population, particularly in the rural areas.

The economy of Ecuador is primarily based on the export of oil, bananas, shrimp, and other agricultural products. It has a well-developed tourism industry, with attractions such as the Galapagos Islands, the colonial city of Quito, and the indigenous markets of Otavalo.

The government of Ecuador is a democratic republic, with a president as the head of state and government. The country has a history of political instability, but recent years have seen a more stable political climate.

Ecuador is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Union of South American Nations, and the Organization of American States. It is also a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change, and has made efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through initiatives such as the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, which seeks to preserve the Amazon rainforest by leaving oil reserves unexploited.

Telephone Code
593

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 131; Fire: 102; Police: 101

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Currency (Code)
US $ (USD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
Spanish (Castilian), Quechua

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 74%, Evangelical 10.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.4%, atheist 7.9%, agnostic 0.1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Ecuador, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Galápagos Islands; Quito historic center; Cuenca historic center; Cotopaxi; Cajas National Park; Guayaquil Boardwalk (Malecon 2000); Nariz del Diablo; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System

Major Sports
Soccer, cycling

Cultural Practices
Roses make excellent gifts, and among close friends perfume is considered appropriate.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping 10% is common in restaurants, usually handed directly to the server. Round up the fare for taxis. Hotel bellhops receive $1-2 (USD) per bag and housekeepers about $1 (USD) per day.

Souvenirs
Coffee, llama wool products, woven baskets and straw hats, carpets, tagua vegetable and wood carvings, non-edible dough figurines, leather goods, sheepskin paintings; tribal instruments, masks, jewelry, and fabrics

Traditional Cuisine
Ceviche — raw fresh fish marinated with lime juice and mixed with chilies, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro; typically served with patacones (thick fried green plantains), chifles (very thin fried green plantain chips), corn nuts, or popcorn

Geography
Area
total: 283,561 sq km
land: 276,841 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km

Climate
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Natural resources
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

People and Society
Population
17,483,326 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, White 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, Mulatto 1.9%, Black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.)

Languages
Spanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2%; note - (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 68.8%, Evangelical 15.4%, Adventist 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, other 1.3%, agnostic or atheist 1.4%, none 10.1%, don't know/no response 1% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
1.1% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Quito

Economy
Economic overview
highly informal South American economy; USD currency user; major banana exporter; hard hit by COVID-19; macroeconomic fragility from oil dependency; successful debt restructuring; China funding budget deficits; social unrest hampering economic activity

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$189.88 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$10,700 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, poultry, cocoa, potatoes

Industries
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Exports
$29.325 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 30%, China 13%, Panama 8%, Chile 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, crustaceans, bananas, fish, refined petroleum (2019)

Imports
$28.567 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 22%, China 18%, Colombia 9%, Panama 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicines, soybean products (2019)