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Ecuador, about equal in location to Nevada, is in the northwest part of South America fronting on the Pacific. To the north is Colombia and to the east and south is Peru.

Two high and parallel ranges of the Andes, traversing the country from north to south, are and have always been topped by tall volcanic peaks. Did you know that the highest is Chimborazo at 20,577 ft (6,272 m). T

he Gal?pagos Islands (or Col?n Archipelago: 3,029 sq mi; 7,845 sq km), in the Pacific Ocean about 600 mi (966 km) west of the South American mainland, transformed to a part of Ecuador in 1832. Ecuador is known to be a modest country in South America. It derives its name from the fact that it lies exactly on the Equator.

15th century history of Ecuador witnesses it being a part of the short lived Inca Empire through wars and alliances. Spanish conquistadors set an end to the Inca Empire and established colonization for over 300 long years. Independence from Spanish rule became a reality for Ecuador in 1820s where the rest of Ecuador was liberated after 2 years of Guayaquil city. 19th century was instable, due to different rulers. Ecuador is known to engage in a war with Peru in 19th century for Amazon River basin dispute and lose due to disproportionate armed forces. Return to democratic rule was witnessed in 1972-1979.

Ecuador’s climate is of varied nature. It is dependent upon the geographic location in terms of sea level. It has rainforests in lowlands; humid subtropical climate is present in regions near to the coast and mild throughout the year in mountainous valleys. Andean highlands witness temperate climate which is drier compared to other regions. Climate in the areas of Amazon basin is almost similar to the ones in the areas of rain forests. Severe rainfall is encountered throughout the season as a part of the tropical climate in the areas that are nearer to the Pacific coastal regions.

2011 statistics of Ecuador’s population enlist just over 15 million people. Racial of mixes of Amerindian and White form majority (65%), then followed by Amerindian (25%). Spanish and black form the minority and constitute only 10%. Hence ethnic diversity is encountered in Ecuador. Roman Catholics form the majority of Ecuador’s population. 95% of the Ecuadorians follow Roman Catholicism. The density of population in Ecuador is encountered mostly in the regions of Andes Mountains and also along the coast of the country to the Pacific side. Immigration in Ecuador is seen mainly from the Japanese and Chinese, due to migration of their ancestors who came as miners.