Ecuador
Information about Ecuador
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 between 1819 and 1822 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.
Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability.
Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected Presidents.
In September 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence.
General elections, under the new constitutional framework, were held in April 2009, and voters re-elected President Rafael CORREA.
Above picture: Guayaquil, founded in 1538 on the Guayas River, is today Ecuador's main port. It is also the largest and most populous city in Ecuador.
Above picture: Located 28 km (17 mi) from Quito is snow-capped Cotopaxi, a volcano that last erupted in the 1940s. It is the second highest peak in the Ecuador, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19, 347 ft).
Above picture: The Virgin of the Apocalypse statue overlooking historic Quito from El Panecillo hill.
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