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 "The area close to the equator is the part of our planet, where in the smallest space the diversity of natural impressions reaches its maximum."
The statement above refers already to what can be expected in our beautiful country on the west coast of South America. Ecuador can roughly be divided into three different landscapes:
"The coast lands at the Pacific Ocean (COSTA) " The Andes, with its majestic Snow caped Volcanoes (SIERRA) " The jungle in the headwaters of the Amazon Rainforest (ORIENTE) The Galápagos Islands, a unique wonder of nature, situated about 1000km from the mainland, where Charles Darwin developed his theory about the origin of species, crown the scenic variety of the Andean state. The name Ecuador owes its name to its situation, while Ecuador is the Spanish name for equator. Thanks to this equatorial situation you can expect good weather all through the year in Ecuador. Ecuador borders on the north to Columbia, in the east and south to Peru and in the west the Pacific Ocean is the natural border.
Ecuador characterizes itself through a broad spectrum of climates, the variety of flora and fauna and the existence of Indian as well as Southern European cultures. The climate differs depending on the region: from hot and humid on the COSTA and the ORIENTE to a temperate and Andean climate in the SIERRA. In Ecuador you will have the possibility to enjoy the original nature of the different areas with its divers animal world. On an adventure tour organized by SURTREK you will collect new impressions of foreign cultures and as well have the possibility to be active and maybe climb a 5000m plus volcano after a trekking tour.
Besides that you can get to know the incredible and fascinating animal world of the wonderful islands on a Galápagos cruise tour. When you are looking for a combination between untouched natural areas and ethnic and cultural diversity then Ecuador is the right country for you! Experience more of the culture and nature of Ecuador with Surtrek, your tour operator for individual adventure tours in Ecuador!
Ecuador general Information:
• Name of the state: República del Ecuador 
• Time difference compared to MET: - 7 hours (summertime), -6 hours (wintertime)
• Capital: Quito
• Government type: Presidential Republic (independent from Spain since 1822)
• Administrative divisions: 22 provinces, which are divided in more cantons
• Surface: app. 270.700 qkm
• Currency: US-Dollar
• Gross national product: 1075 US $ per inhabitant (1998)
• Inflation rate: 9-15 % (estimation for 2004)
• Raw materials: oil, natural gas, gold, fish, timber
• Import products: ways of transport, vehicles, machines, chemical products
• Export products: oil, bananas, shrimps, cacao, coffee, tourism
• Population: app. 12,1 million
• Ethnic groups: app. 35 % Indigenas, app. 50 % Mestizos, app. 10 % whites, app. 5% blacks as well as mulattos and other sections of the population
• Population density: apx. 42 inh./qkm Growth population: 2,2 %
• Life expectancy: men: 66 years, women: 71 years
• Literacy rate: 90%
• Languages: Spanish (official language), Quechua and other Indian languages
• Religion: 80 % Catholics, 20 % nature religions und others
• Biggest cities: Guayaquil (app. 2 million), Quito (app. 1,8 million), Cuenca (app. 380.000)
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South America 
