Ecuador

Background: The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999.
Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Area: Total: 283,560 sq km, note: includes Galapagos Islands, water: 6,720 sq km, land: 276,840 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Nevada. Land boundaries: Total: 2,010 km, border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km. Coastline: 2,237 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands. Terrain: Coastal plain, inter-Andean central highlands, and flat to rolling eastern jungle. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m. Natural resources: Petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower.
People: Population: 13,447,494. Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%. Religions: Roman Catholic 95%. Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua).
Government: Government type: Republic. Capital: Quito. Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain).
Economy overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which forced a desperate government to "dollarization" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. GDP - composition by sector: Agriculture: 11%, industry: 25%, services: 64%.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 1,115,272. Telephones - mobile cellular: 384,000. Radio broadcast stations: AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29. Radios: 5 million. Television broadcast stations: 7 (plus 14 repeaters). Televisions: 2.5 million. Internet users: 328,000. Railways: Total: 965 km. Highways: Total: 43,197 km, paved: 8,165 km, unpaved: 35,032 km. Airports: 205, with paved runways: 61, with unpaved runways: 144. Heliports: 1.