| Bolivarian Republic of Ecuador República Bolivariana de Ecuador Timeline: Differently | ||||||
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| Motto: Dios, patria y libertad "God, homeland, and freedom" |
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 Location of Ecuador in South America
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| Capital (and largest city) | Quito | |||||
| Official languages | Spanish | |||||
| Demonym(s) | Ecuadorian | |||||
| Government | Unitary presidential Bolivarian republic | |||||
| - | President | Lenín Moreno | ||||
| Legislature | National Assembly | |||||
| Establishment | ||||||
| - | Independence from Gran Colombia | 13 May 1830 | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | 283,561 km2 109,484 sq mi |
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| Population | ||||||
| - | Estimate | 17,084,358 (74th) | ||||
| Currency | Ecuadorian peso | |||||
| Drives on the | right | |||||
Ecuador, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Ecuador, is a country in South America. It borders Peru to the south and east, Colombia to the north, and is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its surface area of 283,561 square kilometers makes it the ninth-largest country in South America and the 80th-largest in the world. With a population of over 17 million inhabitants, it is the sixth-most populous country in South America and the 74th in the world.
The territories of modern-day Ecuador were once home to a variety of Amerindian groups that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century. The territory was colonized by Spain during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as its own sovereign state in 1830. The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its 17.1 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of European, Native American, and African descendants. Spanish is the official language and is spoken by a majority of the population, though 13 Native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.
The sovereign state of Ecuador is a middle-income representative democratic republic and a developing country that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. It is governed as a democratic presidential republic. The country is a founding member of the Union of South American Nations.
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