Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$7,500 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

8.3% (2008 est.)

Population

14,573,101 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

C

Ease of Doing Business

136/181

Global Competitiveness

3.58/134

Country Map

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gE Network

There are 16 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Ecuador : Introduction

What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Protests in Quito have contributed to the mid-term ouster of Ecuador's last three democratically elected Presidents. In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution; Ecuador's twentieth since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, are expected in April 2009.

Ecuador: Banco Central del Ecuador

The Central Bank of Ecuador is the institution driving the dollarization campaign of the Ecuadorian economy. The goals of the institution are to lower inflation, implement sustainable government finances, and achieve economic growth. Site is available in Spanish only.

Ecuador: Bolsa de Valores de Quito

(Spanish only)

Ecuador: National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC)

The institute provides statistical data on population, censuses, consumer indices, producer indices and other demographic and economic data.  This site is available in Spanish only.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (August 2008)