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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.ec

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3,188 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

569,700 (2003)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable international: country code - 593; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

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

1.549 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2,394,400 (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001)

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: $6.908 billion expenditures: planned $6.594 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2003)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

US dollar (USD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

USD

Current account balance [time series]

$-117 million (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$15.69 billion (2003)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

43.7 (1995)

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

$120 million (2001)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of public sector revenues in recent years. Consequently, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly. The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70% in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ, who took office in January 2003, Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum prices, but the government has made little progress on fiscal reforms and reforms of state-owned enterprises necessary to reduce Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum price swings and financial crises.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

69.96 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

75.23 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Ecuador formally adopted the US dollar as legal tender in March 2000

Exports [time series]

$6.073 billion (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp

Exports - partners [time series]

US 42.4%, Colombia 5.7%, Germany 5.6% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $45.65 billion (2003 est.)

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

agriculture: 8.7% industry: 29.7% services: 61.6% (2003 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $3,300 (2003 est.)

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

2.5% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$6.22 billion (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

consumer goods, industrial raw materials, capital goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 23.9%, Colombia 12.8%, Venezuela 7.1%, Brazil 6.1%, Chile 4.8%, Japan 4.2% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.3% (2003 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.9% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.7% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

4.36 million (urban) (2003)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

106.5 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

421,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

2.358 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

65% (2003 est.)

Public debt [time series]

53.7% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$1.161 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.8%; note - underemployment of 47% (2003 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 in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

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, 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]

8,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.85% permanent crops: 4.93% other: 89.22% (2001)

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]

territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500 meter isobath

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; 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 Kristie Anne KENNEY embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito mailing address: APO AA 34039 telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890 FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (no immediate reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election held 24 November 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election - Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ 54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%

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, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema; note - per the Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; In December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a simple-majority resolution

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 (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD 5, DP 4, PS-FA 3, independents 7; 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 [Guillermo LANDAZURI]; National Action Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Movement [Gilberto TALAHUA]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Leon FEBRES CORDERO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Victor GRANDA]

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

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ, president]; 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. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Nine presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996.

Military

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

Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$650 million (2003)

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

2.4% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,440,371 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,315,808 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

20 years of age for conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 132,476 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 33.9% (male 2,285,775; female 2,199,356) 15-64 years: 61.2% (male 4,020,873; female 4,062,672) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 302,129; female 341,937) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

23.18 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2004 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]

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,700 (2003 est.)

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

21,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 24.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.01 years male: 73.15 years female: 79 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 94% female: 91% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 23 years male: 22.5 years female: 23.5 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate [time series]

-8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

13,212,742 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.03% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.78 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

the continuing civil disorder in Colombia has created a serious refugee crisis in neighboring states, especially Ecuador

Illicit drugs [time series]

significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime, especially vulnerable along the border with Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents

Transportation

Airports [time series]

205 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 62 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 143 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 113 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2003 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 43,197 km paved: 8,164 km unpaved: 35,033 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 241,403 GRT/391,898 DWT by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 5, petroleum tanker 21, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: Greece 1, Paraguay 1, Peru 1 registered in other countries: 3 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined products 1,185 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 966 km narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2003)

Waterways [time series]

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2003)