Ecuador

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

13 (2000)

Internet country code

.ec

Internet users

20,000 (2000)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 392, FM 27, shortwave 29 (1998)

Radios

4.15 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: NA domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

899,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

160,061 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

15 (including one station on the Galapagos Islands) (1997)

Televisions

1.55 million (1997)

Agriculture - products

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp

Budget

revenues: planned $5.1 billion (not including revenue from potential privatizations) expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)

Currency

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

Debt - external

$15 billion (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$695.7 million (1995)

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.

Electricity - consumption

9.386 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

25 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

10.065 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 29.51% hydro: 70.49% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates

sucres per US dollar - 25,000 (January 2001), 24,988.4 (2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.6 (1998), 3,988.3 (1997), 3,189.5 (1996) note: on 7 January 2000, the government passed a decree "dollarizing" the economy; on 13 March 2000, the National Congress approved a new exchange system whereby the US dollar is adopted as the main legal tender in Ecuador for all purposes; on 20 March 2000, the Central Bank of Ecuador started to exchange sucres for US dollars at a fixed rate of 25,000 sucres per US dollar; since 30 April 2000, all transactions are denominated in US dollars

Exports

$5.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish

Exports - partners

US 37%, Colombia 5%, Italy 5%, Chile 5%, Peru 4% (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $37.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 14% industry: 36% services: 50% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.8% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 33.8% (1995)

Imports

$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 30%, Colombia 13%, Venezuela 6%, Japan 5%, Venezuela 6%, Mexico 3% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate

2.4% (1997 est.)

Industries

petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

96% (2000 est.)

Labor force

4.2 million

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

50% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

13%; note - widespread underemployment (2000 est.)

Area

total: 283,560 sq km land: 276,840 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Nevada

Climate

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

Coastline

2,237 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Geography - note

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Irrigated land

5,560 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Land use

arable land: 6% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 56% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands territorial sea: 200 NM

Natural hazards

frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughts

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Terrain

coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Administrative divisions

22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Capital

Quito

Constitution

10 August 1998

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gwen C. CLARE embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: [593] (2) 562-890

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne A-BAKI chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200

Executive branch

chief of state: President Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 31 May 1998; runoff election held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: results of the last election prior to the coup were: Jamil MAHUAD elected president; percent of vote - 51% note: a military-indigenous coup toppled democratically elected President Jamil MAHAUD on 21 January 2000; the military quickly handed power over to Vice President Gustavo NOBOA on 22 January; National Congress then elected a new vice president from a slate of candidates submitted by NOBOA; the new administration is scheduled to complete the remainder of MAHAUD's term, due to expire in January 2003

FAX

[1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

FAX

[593] (2) 502-052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Flag description

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

Government type

republic

Independence

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

International organization participation

CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court)

Legal system

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (121 seats; 79 members are popularly elected at-large nationally to serve four-year terms; 42 members are popularly elected by province - two per province - for four-year terms) elections: last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DP 32, PSC 27, PRE 24, ID 18, P-NP 9, FRA 5, PCE 3, MPD 2, CFP 1; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties

National holiday

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

Political parties and leaders

Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]; Ecuadorian Conservative Party or PCE [Sixto DURAN Ballen]; Independent National Movement or MIN [leader NA]; Pachakutik-New Country or P-NP [Rafael PANDAM]; Popular Democracy or DP [Ramiro RIVERA]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [leader NA]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Antonio VARGAS]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters

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.

Military branches

Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police (Policia Nacional)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$720 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.4% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 3,382,567 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 2,280,899 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 132,978 (2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.8% (male 2,398,801; female 2,320,537) 15-64 years: 59.81% (male 3,900,193; female 3,984,797) 65 years and over: 4.39% (male 269,372; female 310,278) (2001 est.)

Birth rate

25.99 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate

5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.29% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,400 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

19,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

34.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.33 years male: 68.52 years female: 74.28 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.1% male: 92% female: 88.2% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate

-0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population

13,183,978 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate

2% (2001 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

significant transit country for cocaine and derivatives of coca originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents

Airports

180 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 59 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 19 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 121 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 89 (2000 est.)

Heliports

1 (2000 est.)

Highways

total: 43,197 km paved: 8,165 km unpaved: 35,032 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 233,312 GRT/385,784 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 22, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km

Ports and harbors

Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo

Railways

total: 965 km narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2000)

Waterways

1,500 km