# Ecuador

> sovereign state in South America

**Wikidata**: [Q736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q736)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ecuador

## Summary
Ecuador, officially the República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador), is a sovereign state and presidential republic located in South America. It is named after the equator, which runs through the country. As of the 2022 census, it has a population of 16,938,986 and an area of 257,204.27 square kilometres. The capital city is Quito, and the country uses the United States dollar as its currency.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador).
- **Location:** South America (continent). Part of the Americas, Hispanic America, and Latin America.
- **Capital:** Quito (official and de jure).
- **Government:** Republic with a presidential system. The executive body is the Government of Ecuador, and the legislative body is the National Assembly.
- **Head of State & Government:** President Daniel Noboa (since November 23, 2023).
- **Independence:** Declared on August 10, 1809; international recognition received on February 16, 1840.
- **Currency:** United States dollar (since 2000). Previous currencies include the Ecuadorian sucre (1884–2000) and the Ecuadorian peso (until 1884).
- **Area:** 257,204.27 km² (2022 census). Previously recorded as 255,586.91 km² in the 2010 census.
- **Population:** 16,938,986 (2022 census). The male population in 2022 was 8,984,602, and the female population was 9,016,398.
- **Demonym:** Ecuadorian (and numerous variants in different languages).
- **Official Languages:** Spanish, Northern Quichua, and Shuar.
- **Other Languages:** Waorani, Ecuadorian Sign Language, Tsachila, Secoya, Awa Pit, Cha'palaa, Cofán, Achuar, Siona, Teteté, Media Lengua, Záparo, and various dialects of Quichua/Quechua.
- **Highest Point:** Chimborazo (6,263.47 meters).
- **Lowest Point:** Pacific Ocean (0 meters).
- **Anthem:** "Salve, Oh Patria".
- **Motto:** "God, Homeland and Freedom" (and variants in other languages).
- **Timezone:** UTC−05:00 (mainland), UTC−06:00 (Galapagos Islands).
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **Calling Code:** +593.
- **ISO 3166 Codes:** EC (alpha-2), ECU (alpha-3), 218 (numeric).
- **Internet TLD:** .ec.
- **VAT Rate:** 12%.
- **Coordinates:** Latitude -1, Longitude -78.
- **Flag:** The current flag has been in use since November 2009.
- **UN Membership:** Since December 21, 1945.

## FAQs
**What is the political and administrative structure of Ecuador?**
Ecuador is a presidential republic divided into 24 provinces, including Azuay, Guayas, Pichincha, and the Galápagos Province. The central bank is the Central Bank of Ecuador, and the highest judicial authority is the National Court of Justice.

**Who is the current leader of Ecuador?**
Daniel Noboa serves as both the head of state and head of government, holding the office of President of Ecuador since November 23, 2023.

**What are the key demographic and economic statistics for Ecuador?**
The 2022 census recorded a population of 16,938,986. The nominal GDP in 2022 was $115,049,476,000 USD. The life expectancy at birth in 2022 was 78 years. The Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, was 47.3 in 2020.

**What international organizations is Ecuador a member of?**
Ecuador is a member of numerous international bodies, including the United Nations (joined 1945), the Union of South American Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Andean Community, the Organization of American States (joined 1948), and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (joined 1997).

**What is the historical context of Ecuador's formation?**
The region underwent several political transitions, including the "Quito's revolutionary process" in 1809 and the "Republic of Quito" in 1811. It was part of Gran Colombia from 1822 until 1830. The country "replaces" Gran Colombia in historical lineage.

**What emergency numbers are used in Ecuador?**
The general emergency number is 911. Other specific numbers include 101 for police, 102 for the fire department, and 131 for emergency medical services.

## Why It Matters
Ecuador is a biodiversity hotspot with a unique geographical position straddling the equator, directly influencing its naming. It holds significant international standing as a founding member of several global organizations and regional blocs, reflecting its role in international diplomacy and trade. The country's transition to the US dollar in 2000 was a major economic event, stabilizing its economy and integrating it more deeply with global markets. Its territory includes the Galápagos Islands, a location of immense scientific importance due to their unique ecosystems and role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, making Ecuador a key player in global conservation efforts. The country’s culture is a mix of indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial influence, contributing to the broader tapestry of Latin American identity.

## Notable For
- Being named after the equator, which passes through the country.
- Having the Galápagos Islands as a province, a world-renowned location for wildlife and evolutionary science.
- Using the United States dollar as its official currency since 2000.
- Hosting Chimborazo, a volcano whose summit is the point on Earth's surface closest to the sun due to the planet's equatorial bulge.
- Being one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, containing a high percentage of plant and animal species found nowhere else.
- Having Quito and Cuenca as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, noted for their well-preserved colonial architecture.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Ecuador is situated in the northwestern corner of South America. It shares borders with Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east, with the Pacific Ocean forming its western boundary. The country's coordinates are centered around latitude -1 and longitude -78.

Its territory encompasses a wide range of geographical extremes:
-   **Northernmost Point:** Located at coordinates (1.45, -78.87) on the mainland (San Lorenzo Canton, Mataje River) and (1.6675, -91.998611111111) in the Galapagos (Darwin Island).
-   **Southernmost Point:** Coordinates (-5.0120903, -79.0101853).
-   **Easternmost Point:** Coordinates (-0.9709694, -75.1887341).
-   **Westernmost Point:** Coordinates (-0.37, -91.55) on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos.
-   **Lowest Point:** Pacific Ocean (0 meters).
-   **Highest Point:** Chimborazo (6,263.47 meters).

The country is administratively divided into 24 provinces: Azuay, Bolívar, Cañar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galápagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Ríos, Manabí, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Sucumbíos, Tungurahua, and Zamora Chinchipe.

### Demographics
The 2022 census recorded a total population of 16,938,986. This population is predominantly urban, with 11,623,246 people living in urban areas compared to 6,377,754 in rural areas (2022 data). The population is nearly evenly split by gender, with 8,984,602 males and 9,016,398 females recorded in 2022.

Demographic trends show a declining birth rate, which was 16.583 per 1,000 people in 2022, down from 17.338 in 2019. The death rate in 2022 was 4.85 per 1,000 people. Life expectancy has fluctuated, reaching 78 years in 2022, a recovery from a low of 72 years in 2020. The total fertility rate has significantly decreased, estimated at 2.21 children per woman in 2024, down from 3.09 in 1999.

### Economy and Development
Ecuador's economy is dollarized, having adopted the United States dollar on January 1, 2000. The nominal GDP was $115.05 billion USD in 2022, an increase from $106.17 billion USD in 2021. The VAT rate is set at 12%.

On the Human Development Index (HDI), Ecuador scored 0.740 in 2021 (preferred value), placing it in the high human development category, though it experienced a dip to 0.731 in 2020. The inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.604 in 2021. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, stood at 47.3 in 2020. The unemployment rate was 5% in 2014. According to the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), the country's status index was 6.23 in 2022. Freedom House characterizes Ecuador as a "partly free country."

### Government and Politics
Ecuador functions as a presidential republic. The current head of state and head of government is President Daniel Noboa, who assumed office on November 23, 2023. The legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, and the highest judicial body is the National Court of Justice. The age of majority and marriageable age is 18 years.

The country maintains diplomatic relations with numerous nations, including the United States, Brazil, China, Germany, Russia, Iran, and Serbia, among others. It is a signatory to several key international treaties, including the Antarctic Treaty System and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

### International Memberships
Ecuador is an active participant in global and regional affairs. Its memberships include:
-   **United Nations:** Member since December 21, 1945.
-   **Organization of American States (OAS):** Member since 1948.
-   **World Trade Organization (WTO).**
-   **Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).**
-   **Andean Community.**
-   **UNESCO:** Member since January 22, 1947.
-   **Interpol:** Member since September 19, 1962.
-   **Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW):** Member since April 29, 1997.
-   **World Health Organization (WHO).**
-   **International Monetary Fund (IMF) affiliates:** Member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (since 1945), International Development Association (since 1961), International Finance Corporation (since 1956), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (since 1988).
-   **Other:** Universal Postal Union (since 1880), International Telecommunication Union (since 1920), and World Meteorological Organization (since 1951).

### Culture and Symbols
-   **Anthem:** The national anthem is "Salve, Oh Patria."
-   **Flag:** The national flag has evolved over time. The current version has been in official use since November 2009. Historical versions include flags from 1860-1900 and 1845-1860.
-   **Coat of Arms:** The official coat of arms of Ecuador is a recognized state symbol.
-   **Motto:** The national motto is "God, Homeland and Freedom" (variously translated in different sources).
-   **Languages:** While Spanish is the primary official language, the constitution recognizes Northern Quichua and Shuar as official for intercultural relations. Numerous other indigenous languages are recognized and used, reflecting the country's multi-ethnic composition.

### Infrastructure and Technical Details
-   **Electricity:** The mains voltage is 120 volts at 60 Hz. The electrical plug types used are NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15.
-   **Communications:** The international dialing code is +593. Mobile country codes include 740.
-   **Internet:** The top-level domain is .ec.
-   **Identification Codes:** The country is identified by various codes, including ISO 3166-1 codes (EC, ECU, 218), the MARC country code (ec), the FIPS 10-4 code (EC), and the GS1 country code (786). The M49 code is 218.

### Media and Information
The country has a digital media outlet named *Primicias*, founded on May 13, 2019. It is described as a "Native digital media outlet from Ecuador." The country is categorized under encyclopedic and library systems such as the Dewey Decimal Classification (2--866) and the Colon Classification (SG--79163). It has numerous identifiers in academic and knowledge bases, including a VIAF ID (150084159), a GND ID (4129321-6), and entries in the Encyclopædia Britannica.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c7291r4xxneo)
2. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ecuador/)
3. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/ecuador)
4. 2008 Constitution of Ecuador
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/southamerica)
8. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
9. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/ECUADOR)
10. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
11. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/ecuador)
12. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
13. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
14. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
15. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=101)
16. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
17. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/ecuador)
18. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
19. [Source](https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Parties?lang=e)
20. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
21. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
24. FIPS 10-4
25. datos.bne.es
26. MusicBrainz
27. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
28. World Bank Open Data
29. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
30. [Ahora hay 16,9 millones de ecuatorianos, según el Censo](https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/sociedad/censo-ecuador/inec-resultados-censo-poblacion-vivienda-2022/)
31. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
32. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
33. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
34. The National Terminology Database for Irish
35. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
36. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
37. [2010 census of Ecuador](https://www.ecuadorencifras.gob.ec/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=321)
38. [Densidad poblacional, según provincia de residencia](https://www.censoecuador.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01_2022_CPV_Estructura_poblacional.xlsx)
39. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
42. BabelNet
43. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
44. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
45. UMLS 2023
46. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
47. [Source](https://apps.who.int/gho/athena/data/xmart.csv?target=GHO/SDGSUICIDE,SDG_SH_STA_SCIDEN&profile=crosstable&filter=COUNTRY:*;REGION:*;AGEGROUP:-&x-sideaxis=COUNTRY;SEX&x-topaxis=GHO;YEAR)
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
49. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
50. [Ecuador | GTA Wiki | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Ecuador)