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Ecuador

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description Ecuador Overview

Ecuador sits on the equator in northwestern South America and takes its name from that line. Its territory spans Pacific coastal lowlands, the Andean highlands around the capital, Quito, Amazon rainforest to the east, and the Galápagos Islands, whose wildlife contributed to Darwin's theory of evolution. Quito's historic center was among the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The country uses the US dollar as its currency and has a significant indigenous population, including Kichwa-speaking communities.

help Ecuador FAQ

What currency does Ecuador use?

Ecuador uses the US dollar, which officially replaced the former sucre in 2000. Dollarization came after a severe banking and currency crisis at the end of the 1990s.

Why are the Galápagos Islands famous?

The Galápagos, part of Ecuador, host unique species that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution after his 1835 visit aboard HMS Beagle. The islands were among the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978.

What is Ecuador's capital and how high is it?

The capital is Quito, which sits in the Andean highlands at roughly 2,850 meters above sea level. Its historic center was also added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978, making it one of the earliest listed cities.

What are Ecuador's four geographic regions?

The country spans Pacific coastal lowlands, the Andean highlands around Quito, Amazon rainforest to the east, and the Galápagos Islands offshore. Ecuador sits directly on the equator, the line that gives the country its name.