Ecuador

August 10, 1809 (Thursday) – First declaration of independence in Quito

May 24, 1822 (Friday) – Battle of Pichincha secures independence from Spain

May 13, 1830 (Thursday) – Ecuador formally becomes independent from Gran Colombia

June 6, 1895 (Thursday) – Liberal Revolution led by Eloy Alfaro begins

August 5, 1949 (Friday) – Ambato Earthquake (Magnitude 6.8) kills over 5,000; massive destruction

February 2, 1996 (Friday) – Tungurahua volcano erupts, displacing thousands

March 14, 1999 (Sunday) – El Niño floods damage infrastructure, agriculture

October 20, 2002 (Sunday) – Lucio Gutiérrez elected president amid economic crisis

April 20, 2005 (Wednesday) – President Lucio Gutiérrez ousted during mass protests

January 15, 2007 (Monday) – Rafael Correa inaugurated as president

August 16, 2006 (Wednesday) – Tungurahua eruption forces evacuation of ~20,000

April 16, 2016 (Saturday) – Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes near Muisne; over 670 killed, 28,000 injured

May 24, 2021 (Monday) – Guillermo Lasso takes office as president

October 15, 2023 (Sunday) – Daniel Noboa elected president, youngest in Ecuador’s history

January 2024 – Severe landslides triggered by torrential rain in Chimborazo province kill dozens

March 2, 2025 (Sunday) – Eruption of Sangay Volcano, ashfall disrupts air traffic and agriculture in Morona Santiago

Continent: South America
Location: Northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean
Capital: Quito
Language: Spanish (official), Quechua and Shuar (recognized regional languages)
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Population: ~18.3 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Ecuador Time (ECT, UTC−5); Galápagos Time (GALT, UTC−6)

Borders: Colombia (north), Peru (east and south), Pacific Ocean (west)
Landscape: Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest, Pacific coastal plain, Galápagos Islands
Major Rivers: Guayas, Napo, Pastaza, Esmeraldas, Putumayo
Major Mountains: Chimborazo (highest), Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Antisana
Deserts: None
Lakes: Cuicocha, San Pablo, Colta, Yambo
Volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Reventador, Sangay, Chimborazo (extinct)
Highest Point: Chimborazo – 6,263 m (20,548 ft); furthest point from Earth’s center
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (sea level)
Climate: Varied: tropical in the Amazon, temperate in the highlands, arid in coastal south
Geological Features: Located on the Ring of Fire; tectonic collision zones; active volcanoes and fault lines

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (~71%), Montubio (~7%), Afro-Ecuadorian (~7%), Indigenous (~7%), White (~6%)
Religion: Roman Catholic (majority), Evangelical Protestant (growing minority)
Urban Population: ~65% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Rapid urban migration; major cities: Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca

Famous For: Galápagos Islands, Andes culture, biodiversity, Panama hat (originates in Ecuador)
Cuisine: Ceviche, Hornado, Llapingachos, Fanesca, Choclo con queso
Arts: Andean folk music, indigenous crafts, literature (Jorge Icaza, José de la Cuadra)
Sports: Football (most popular), cycling, boxing

Economy Type: Upper-middle-income; resource-based with growing services sector
GDP: Approx. $127 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil, agriculture (bananas, flowers, shrimp), tourism, manufacturing
Key Exports: Crude oil, bananas, shrimp, cut flowers, cocoa
Unemployment Rate: ~4.7% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Coastal lowlands (agribusiness), highland sierra (services), Amazon (oil), Galápagos (tourism)

Government Type: Presidential constitutional republic
Head of State & Government: President Daniel Noboa (as of April 2025)
Legislature: National Assembly (unicameral)
Constitution: In effect since 2008

Quito: Historic center (UNESCO), Mitad del Mundo
Galápagos Islands: Unique wildlife, marine ecosystems
Cuenca: Colonial city, cathedrals, riverside walks
Baños: Waterfalls, thermal baths, adventure tourism
Amazon Basin: Eco-lodges, indigenous reserves, jungle treks
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Galápagos Islands, Historic Centers of Quito and Cuenca, Sangay National Park