The country covers 256,370 square kilometres and is the most densely populated in South America.Ā There are currently 17 million inhabitants. The capital is Quito with the largest number of inhabitants, followed by Guayaquil. The official language is Spanish, which is spoken by 99% of the population. There are also 13 other indigenous languages such as Kichwa and Shuar. As for religion, there is freedom of worship and the Catholic religion predominates.Ā The Ecuadorian population is made up of 41% mestizos, 39% Amerindians, 9.9% whites, 5% mulattos, 5% blacks and 0.1% Asians.
It is divided into four regions, in which 24 provinces are distributed.Ā On the Pacific coast are the provinces of Esmeraldas, ManabĆ, Los RĆos, Guayas, El Oro and Santa Elena. In the highlands, in the northern zone of Los Andes, are Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los TsĆ”chilas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Chimborazo; in the southern sector are BolĆvar, CaƱar, Azuay and Loja.Ā In the Amazon, on the other hand, are SucumbĆos, Napo, Pastaza, Orellana, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe. And in the insular region, the Galapagos Islands, composed of thirteen main islands.
The country is one of the world’s leading oil exporters, the world’s leading banana exporter and one of the leading exporters of flowers, shrimp and cocoa. Tourism is also very important in the national economy.