Conventional Long Form: |
Republic of Ecuador |
Conventional Short Form: |
Ecuador |
Location: |
Western South America |
Capital City: |
Quito |
Government Type: |
Republic |
Population: |
13,183,978 (July 2001 est.) |
Area [sq.km]: |
283,560 (slightly smaller than Nevada) |
Currency: |
US dollar (USD) |
Languages: |
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) |
National Holiday: |
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) |
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. |