Interesting Ecuador Facts.
Interesting facts about Ecuador is what this article is about, we’ll be sharing with you some of the unknown facts about Ecuador you are yet to read.
Ecuador is one of the countries with uncanny and interesting characteristics and although it isn’t as spoken of as Hawaii, it is definitely worthy of interest. Therefore, it is important that broaden your horizon about the country. Ecuador is a modest and small country located in South America. It is bordered in the north by Columbia, on the east and south by Peru and by the Pacific Ocean on the west. Ecuador has an area of 109,484 square miles (283,520 square kilometers). The country’s capital city is Quito, which was declared a World Heritage Site in the 1970s by UNESCO. The country is home to over 15 million people, while Quito has over 2 million inhabitants. The country’s official language is Spanish, but the government also recognizes Kichwa, Shuar and other indigenous languages.
Have you ever asked what are 5 interesting facts about Ecuador before? Then we have a much bigger Ecuador facts sheet for you than just 5 facts, we made sure to include all the most fun facts about the beautiful country of Ecuador. Continue below to read the most interesting Ecuador facts ever compiled:
Fun Facts About Ecuador
- Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Ecuador has a total nominal GDP of $80.9 billion, which is the 64th highest in the world. Its total nominal per capita GDP is $5,310.
- Ecuador has the 8th largest economy in Latin America and has grown exponentially in the last decade.
- Unemployment in Ecuador is around 6%, and is currently moving in a downward trend.
- Ecuador’s main exports include oil, bananas, sugar cane, shrimp, cotton and coffee. Their main imports include raw materials, fuels, and transport equipment.
- The United States dollar has been used as the country’s currency since a banking crisis in 1999. In March of 2000, the country officially made the U.S. dollar their currency in order to avoid hyperinflation.
- Ecuador’s government is a unitary presidential constitutional republic with both a President and a Vice President elected each term.
- The Ecuadorian flag is comprised of 3 colors; yellow for the diversity in the country, red for the blood that was shed for the country’s independence and blue for the sky and the ocean.
- Ecuador has numerous volcanoes that make up its terrain. Many of them are still considered active.
- It is a normal activity for doctors in Ecuador to make house calls.
- Iguana Park is located in Guyaquil, Ecuador and it is a safe haven for Iguanas.
- Public buses will stop anywhere in the cities of Ecuador if someone is flagging them down.
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- Trash trucks play music as they drive through the cities, similar to ice cream trucks in the United States.
- Fresh squeezed juice is a staple at every Ecuadorian meal. People buy fresh fruits and vegetables at markets on a daily or weekly basis and prepare meals and juices with fresh ingredients each day.
- Guinea pig is a delicacy in Ecuador. Many restaurants have meals that include guinea pig meat.
- Many Ecuadorians hold more than one job.
- Most of the festivals and holidays celebrated in Ecuador are based on their religion. 95% of the country is Catholic, therefore they celebrate many Saints days and Christian Holidays.
- Most 15 year old girls in Ecuador will celebrate their quinceanera. During this coming of age party, the girls wear pink dresses and are given away by their fathers.
- Most of the movies played in movie theaters come from the United States, and are dubbed with Spanish subtitles.
- One of the first drugs that was found to treat malaria came from the bark of a tree that is indigenous in Ecuador.
- There are 1600 different species of birds in Ecuador, which accounts for 15% of all of the bird species in the world.
- The name Ecuador came from the word equator since the equator passes directly through the country.
- Lunch is the largest meal of the day in Ecuador. Families will come home from work and school to eat together or to meet at a restaurant.
- Ecuador is divided into four regions: Costa, Sierra, Oriente, and Galapagos Islands.
- Approximately 10% of the population of Ecuador is of European descent.
- Guayaquil is the largest city and port in Ecuador. It is also the wealthiest area in the country
- Ecuador is the largest banana exporter in the world.
- The literacy rate in Ecuador is 93%.
- The national sport of Ecuador is soccer.
- There is lots of biodiversity in Ecuador. The country is home to about 25,000 species of plants and 1,600 species of birds.
- Charles Darwin noticed the biodiversity of Ecuador, which inspired him to begin studying evolution.
- Oil accounts for 40% of the country’s exports.
- Ecuador’s healthcare system is ranked as one of the best in the world.
- The majority of the world’s balsa wood comes from Ecuador.
- Voting is a requirement for Ecuadorians between the ages of 18 and 65.
The above list of Ecuador facts was compiled for your reading pleasure as well as helping you expand your knowledge about every country of the world. The next section we would answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Ecuador, these questions would border on virtually everything people ask about Ecuador, though some might have been attempted in the above Ecuador facts sheet. Read some Uruguay facts you need to know.
FAQ About Ecuador
What is Ecuador famous for?
Ecuador is famous for various things including the following:
- The Galapagos Islands; these islands are located in Ecuador.
- Banana; Ecuador is the world’s leading exporter of Banana.
- Flowers; Ecuador is the third largest exporter of flowers in the world.
- Panama hats; Panama hats are made in Ecuador.
- The Equator; The name Ecuador means equator in Spanish. The country was named after the Equator.
What is Ecuador named after?
Ecuador is name after the Equator, the name Ecuador means equator in Spanish.
What language is spoken in Ecuador?
Spanish is the official language spoken in Ecuador.
What are 5 interesting facts about Ecuador?
These are 5 interesting facts about Ecuador:
- Ecuador was named after the Equator. The term Ecuador means equator in Spanish.
- Ecuador is the country closest to space.
- Panama hats are made in Ecuador.
- Ecuador has a literacy rate of 93%.
- There are 1600 species of bird found in Ecuador.
What is a fun fact about Ecuador?
Fun fact about Ecuador is the country was named after the Equator and that it makes use of US dollar as it’s currency since 2000.
