ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS

QUICK FACTS ON ECUADOR

 

Population

17,400,000

25% indigenous, 65% mestizo, 7% European, 3% African/Asian origins

48% of the population lives on the coastal plain

47% in the Andean highlands and

5% in the Eastern lowlands.

 

Climate

Central Highlands and Quito: The weather is spring-like most of the year. The dry months are July through October, when the temperature averages 20 degrees C during the day and 11 degrees C during the evenings.

 

The Coast: The average temperature on the coast is 32 degrees C. January to April is the hot season and May to December is the dry season.

 

The Eastern plains: In the jungle the weather is tropical year round, with average temperatures of 31 degrees C. It rains here most of the year, but heavier from June to November. It is this time the jungle is at its best and the rivers most navigable.

 

History

1527: First Spanish contact; Pizarro’s men land at Esmeraldas, in Northern Ecuador.

1535: Incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru; what in now Ecuador is known as the Real Audiencia de Quito.

1822: Ecuador gains independence from Spain after the battle of Pichincha, May 24, under the leadership of Mariscal Sucre. It is incorporated into the Gran Colombia.

1830: Becomes fully independent under its first President, Juan Jose Flores.

1942: War with Peru, much of the Ecuadorian Amazon is lost to Peru.

1998: Peace has finally been signed with Peru

 

Size

Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, with an area totaling at: 283.520 sq. km. It is 685 km. from North to South.

 

Main Cities

Quito: The capital, in the highlands; altitude 2,850 m.

Population: District 1,850,000 / City 1,400,000

Guayaquil: Largest city and main port,

Population:2,100,000

Cuenca: Main city of southern highlands; altitude 2,595 m.

Population: 305,000

 

Electricity

110 volts, 60hz, A.C.

 

Local Time

Mainland Ecuador: G.M.T -5 hours

Galapagos Islands: G.M.T -6 hours

 

Currency

As of 2000, the monetary unit of Ecuador is the US dollar.