Ecuador - MC Grecof
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Ecuador
Introduction |
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Flag: |
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Card: |
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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. |
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Geography |
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Location: |
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru |
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Map references: |
South America |
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Area: |
total: 283,560 sq km |
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Land boundaries: |
total: 2,010 km |
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Coastline: |
2,237 km |
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Maritime claims: |
continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands |
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Climate: |
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands |
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m |
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Geography - note: |
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world |
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People |
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Population: |
13,183,978 (July 2001 est.) |
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Nationality: |
noun: Ecuadorian(s) |
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Ethnic groups: |
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3% |
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Religions: |
Roman Catholic 95% |
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Languages: |
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) |
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Governmentg |
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Country name: |
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador |
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Government type: |
Republic |
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Capital: |
Quito |
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National holiday: |
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) |
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Constitution: |
10 August 1998 |
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Legal system: |
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Flag description: |
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms |
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Economy |
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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. In recent years, growth has been uneven due to ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. 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 eventually forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. The new president, Gustavo NOBOA has yet to complete negotiations for a long sought IMF accord. He will find it difficult to push through the reforms necessary to make "dollarization" work in the long run. |
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Industries: |
petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber |
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Agriculture - products: |
bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp |
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Currency: |
US dollar |
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Currency code: |
USD |
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Transportation |
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Railways: |
total: 965 km |
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Highways: |
otal: 43,197 km |
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Waterways: |
1,500 km |
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Ports and harbors: |
Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo |
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Coffee |
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Growing-areas: |
Province of Manabi, Guyas, Lojas |
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Qualities: |
Arabicas: washed Standard and Supremo |
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Altitude: |
2.400 meter |
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Harvest |
June to October |
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Shippingperiod: |
July to December |
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Port of Export: |
Manta, Guayaquil |
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Shipment: |
in container in bags (250 bags of abt. 69,- kos net) |
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Production: |
731.000 bags |
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Export figures: |
664.918 bags |
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Caffeine content: |
1,34 % |
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