South America.

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

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

13.8 million (2007 estimate).

50.7 per sq km.

Quito. Population: 2.1 million (2008 estimate).

Ecuador is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The Andes running from the Colombian border in the north to Peru in the south have two main ranges - the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, divided by the Avenue of Volcanoes.  The coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific is covered by tropical forests and plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar. The Amazon jungle comprises 36% of Ecuador's land area, but 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. 

Elected in October 2006, Ecuador's left-wing president Rafael Correa, aligned with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, has pushed through a new constitution which gives him more power. He has pursued nationalization policies, pledged to close a US military base and broken relations with the neighbouring Colombia over a border incident. The two countries were on the brink of war after Colombian forces attacked a guerrilla camp on the Ecuadorean side of the border.

Spanish is the official language, but Quichua (Kichwa) 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. 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.