Ecuador

=__**Ecuador**__=

**Location**
Ecuador is located on the Western part of South America below Columbia and above Peru. Ecuador has The Pacific Ocean on its West side, It is one of unique countries in the world that is in both the northern and the southern hemisphere. It has a length of 714 km (444 miles) North - South and a width of 658 km (409 miles). The boundary length of Ecuador is 4,247 km (2,639 mi), and 2,237. It is the fourth smallest country in South America.

The Galapagos Islands is a major attraction of Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands is estimated to be from 3 million to 10 million years old.The Islands lie on the junction of three tectonic plates– the Pacific, Cocos and Nazca. This is part of the reason for the 13 volcano eruptions that have happened on the island over the last 100 years. The most recent volcano eruption in Ecuador November 29, 2011 The Galapagos' highest point is the peak of Wolf volcano on Isabela Island at 5600 ft (1707 m). The Islands' have 837 miles (1350 km) of coastline, more than mainland Ecuador. It is a huge tourist attraction.

**Agriculture**
Ecuador's most important economic is agriculture. Even though it is so important, it is only 11% permanent farmland and 18% permanent pasture land. In the 1970s, these sectors decreased by 5.4% in 1978 due to emphasis on oil exploitation, 2.8% in 1979, and 2% in 1980. Starting in 1985 and going to 1990, it showed an annual increase of 4.8%. From then to 2000, it increased by 1.7 (annually). 26.5% of the population used agriculture for their occupations in 1999 and 11% in 2000. Their agricultural products are bananas, coffee, tea, rice, sugar, beans, corn, potatoes, and many different tropical fruits. Recent exported products have been roses, carnations, strawberries, melons, asparagus, heart of palm, and tomatoes. Some major highlands crops are corn, barley, wheat, kidney-beans, horse-beans, potatoes, peas and soybeans are used for feeding domestic animals. Other crops for domestic consumption are rice, maize, and African palm.

**Foods**
Ecuador is known for its exotic fresh friuts, high quality fish and seafood, and the countless varieties of Andean potatoes. Probably 50 percent or more of Equador people produced their own food. All over the country, you will find a wide frequency of national and regional dishes, which include lemon marinated shrimp, toasted corn and patties stuffed with minced spicy meat.

Sports and recreation
Football (soccer) is Ecuador's main sport. The nation team has made it to the world cup 4 times. Other sports that are played are basketball and volleyball. Cockfights are held regularly as well as beauty contests. Bull fights are held occasionally as well as playing Pelota de mano or handball.

Ecuador began its Olympic participation in the 1924 summer games. Unfortunately, they have only won 1 gold medal since then.



**Animals**
1,500 species of birds including 9th place worldwide in species found by the country. Ecuador has about 30 endemic species, most of them members of the rodent family. 1,500 species of birds. ||
 * ====== Ecuador boasts of 369 species which puts it in first place by species per square area . Ecuador has about 30 endemic species, most of them members of the rodent family. ============ || ====== Ecuador boasts of 369 species which puts it in first place by species per square area.

9th place worldwide in species found by the country

1,500 species of birds

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Religion
Ecuador's religion is 95% Roman Catholic. The Quechua, Indians of the central Andes who are the descendants of the Incas, make offerings to the powers that control natural forces which can change events and not only be weak and helpless against bad weather and disease. Ecuador church called La Compañía.

Ecuador History
In 1532 Francisco Pizzaro, a spanish explorer, appeared of the coast of what is now Ecuador. During the next year, the spanish explorers executed the Inca leader Atahualla. As the spash moved through Ecuador, some people greated them kindly and others attacked them. All those tribes were executed.