2006 Population: 13,547,510
Capital City: Quito
Official Language: Spanish
Religions:
• 95% - Roman Catholic
• 05% - other

Country History

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 by 1819 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. Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004 and has had seven presidents since 1996.

More about Ecuador from Wikipedia