Ecuador Travel Guide - Key Facts

South America.

Mainland: GMT - 5.
Galapagos Islands: GMT - 6.

272,045 sq km (105,037 sq miles).

13.5 million (CIA estimate 2006).

49.8 per sq km.

Quito. Population: 1.8 million (2005 estimate).

Ecuador is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. There are three distinct zones: the Sierra or uplands of the Andes, running from the Colombian border in the north to Peru in the south (of this there are two main ranges - the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, which are divided by a long valley); the Costa, a coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific with plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar; and the Oriente, the upper Amazon basin to the east, consisting of tropical jungles threaded by rivers. The latter, although comprising 36% of Ecuador's land area, contains only 3% of the population. Colonisation is, however, increasing in the wake of the oil boom.

Democratic republic since 1978.

President Rafael Correa since 2007. 

Presidential elections were held in October 2006, but as there was no outright winner, a run-off was held between leading candidates Alvaro Noboa and Rafael Correa in November and won by left-wing candidate Correa.

Spanish is the official language, but Quechua and other indigenous languages are common.

Christianity, with 95% Roman Catholic.

120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs used are American-style (two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin) and Japanese-style (two perpendicular flat blades).

Casual wear is widely acceptable, other than for business. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Revealing clothes should not be worn in towns. Photography: A tip may be requested if you wish to take someone's photograph and it is better to seek permission first.