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The following information has been adapted from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3410700083.html.
Ecuador is a country located on the western coast of South America, literally sitting astride the Equator for which the Ecuador was named. Ecuador is bordered on the north by Colombia, on the east and south by Peru, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador encompasses an area of 283,570 square kilometers (including the Galapagos Islands). It is roughly the size of the US state of Colorado and is divided into 22 provinces. Two ranges of the Andes run North-South through Ecuador, and the country is divided into four distinct geographical regions:
Language
Spanish is the official language of Ecuador. Quecha, the pre-colonial language of the Incas, is still spoken by many of the indigenous peoples who make up about one-third of the Ecuador's population. In the Amazon region, several indigenous languages and dialects survive, and some have no identifiable link with any recognized language families elsewhere in the world.
Altitude
Quito is approximately 2,900 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Upon arrival, you may feel uncomfortable for several days while your body adjusts to the change.
Religion
Most of the population of Ecuador is Roman Catholic, though Protestant missionaries have been active in the country since the turn of the century. Religious freedom is observed.
Quito - Capital City of Ecuador
The city of Quito was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. It is the cultural and political center of Ecuador. The city occupies a valley some 16 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, extending along the foothills of Pichincha, a volcanic mountain peak which provides a lofty, green backdrop for this Andean capital.
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