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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

13 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.ec

Internet users [time series]

20,000 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 392, FM 27, shortwave 29 (1998)

Radios [time series]

4.15 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

899,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

160,061 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Televisions [time series]

1.55 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

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

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

US dollar (USD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

USD

Debt - external [time series]

$15 billion (1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$695.7 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

9.386 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

25 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

10.065 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

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

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

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

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.8% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.4% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

96% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.2 million

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Population below poverty line [time series]

50% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

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

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Nevada

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

2,237 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Irrigated land [time series]

5,560 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughts

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Quito

Constitution [time series]

10 August 1998

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Introduction

Background [time series]

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

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$720 million (FY98)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

3.4% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

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

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

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

Military manpower - military age [time series]

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 132,978 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.29% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,400 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

19,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

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

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Population [time series]

13,183,978 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio [time series]

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 [time series]

3.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

180 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Heliports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

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 [time series]

crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

1,500 km