Geography:

Regions:

Pacific Coast

Ecuador’s coastal region is made up of fertile plains, rolling hills, and sedimentary basins traversed by a plethora of rivers that rush from the heights of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. All five coastal provinces, encompassing 640 kilometers of coastline between them, have attractive beaches and plenty of hotels and resorts for tourists. Crisscrossed by an expansive network of rivers and home to the nation’s most spectacular beaches, the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabí, and Guayas quite impressive destinations frequented by tourists from all over the world.

The Highlands - The Andes & the Austro

The Andes Mountain Range crosses the country from north to south. The Occidental and the Oriental Ranges are born from this mountain system as it divides in the province of Loja, forming plains and valleys along the Andean Corridor. Between the two ranges there is a plateau which reaches heights of three thousand meters. The Highlands Regions, commonly referred to as La Sierra, is made up of ten provinces, each of which have important peaks such as Chimborazo, the Illinizas, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Antisana.

Chimborazo: 6,310 m
Cotopaxi: 5,897 m
Cayambe: 5,790 m
Antisana: 5,758 m
Altar: 5,320 m
Illiniza: 5,248 m
Tungurahua: 5,023 m
Cotacahi: 4,944 m

The highest peaks are found in central and northern Ecuador. From Riobamba towards the south there is a decrease in altitude and an increase in the width of the mountain range, forming a kind of plateau known as the Austro.

The Amazon Region

The Amazon Region and its five provinces can be geographically divided into two sub regions: the High Amazon and the Amazon Lowlands. The Highlands is comprised of the Andean foothills which slowly descend towards the Amazon River Basin. Here, you’ll find the Napo, Galeras, Cutucú, and Cóndor ranges. The most impressive elevated regions of this area are in the north and include Volcano Sumaco. The Lowlands, found further to east, are home to some of the nation’s most beautiful and important rivers: the Putumayo, the Napo, and the Pastaza.

Galapagos Islands

The Archipelago of Colón (commonly known as the Galapagos Islands) is made up of 13 main islands, 17 islets, and dozens of ancient rock formations ( table: map of the islands). The volcanically formed islands, encompassing an area of 8,000 kilometers in all, lies roughly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of the Ecuadorian mainland. Apart from its beautiful beaches and unique and varied ecosystems, the Galapagos Islands are home to towering active volcanoes that reach altitudes up to 1,600 meters.

Population:

Ecuador is a multiethnic and multicultural nation. It has a population of more than 12.6 million. More than 14 indigenous groups live on the Ecuadorian mainland, maintaining their own traditions and ways of life. The following are the principal indigenous groups of the Amazon region: Huaoranis, Achuar, Shuar, Cofán, Siona-Secoya, Shiwiar and Záparo.

The provinces with the greatest number of immigrants are Pichincha and Guayas. Migration abroad has also grown in recent years due to the economic crisis. The are sizable communities of Ecuadorians in the USA, Spain, and Italy.

Aditional Info:

General Information:

Ecuador is a democratic country.
The American dollar is the official currency.
The official language of the country is Spanish, but other languages, such as Quichua Shimi, Awapit, Cha´palachi, Tsafiqui, Paicoca, A´ingae, Huaotirio, Shuar-chichan, and Záparo, are widely spoken in areas with large indigenous populations.
The predominant religion is Catholicism but many communities still preserve their ancient beliefs of worship of the earth, the mountains, and the sun.

Health Information:

If you are planning a trip to Ecuador you should take some considerations on your health care. Our country's geography and climate, in certain cases may influence in the appearance of some ills. Also you should be precautious, especially in tropical areas, from diseases transmitted by insects. Last but not least, you need to be particularly cautious with respect to what you eat and drink because in some places food isn't always prepared with the best conditions of cleanness. Best think to do before come to Ecuador is to go to the embassy of Ecuador in your country and they will give to you all the information.

Ecuador's weather is characterized for being very variable. In some places you can experience, in a single day, strong changes in temperature. High factor sunscreen, sunglasses and also warm clothes are recommended. In the Andean region you should be also cautious of altitude sickness. Abrupt changes in elevation such as this sometimes have ill effects on travellers.

One of the most common problems for travellers are the effects of food and water. This may occur because of two reasons. First, food may not be prepared hygienically (food vendors, popular markets, restaurants that may not seem clean) and second; the foreign immune systems are not accustomed to some bacteria or parasites present in food. (Fruits, ice, tap water. While in Ecuador, eat only well cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself, do not eat un-pasteurised dairy products, refrain from eating food sold by street vendors, eat only in restaurants that seem clean, and avoid ice in drinks. Drinking tap water is not advisable anywhere in Ecuador, so drink only bottled or boiled water. In case of a long trip to a place where you can't buy bottled water.

Entry Requirements:

All travellers must have a passport valid for at least six months before arriving in Ecuador. They must also have a return ticket to their country of origin or to another destination. Citizens of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador: Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, North and South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, and Yemen.