Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`2 00 S, 77 30 W`
Map references: |  |
`South America`
Area: |  |
`total: 283,561 sq km country comparison to the world: 73 land: 276,841 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than Nevada`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km`
Coastline: |  |
`2,237 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath`
Climate: |  |
`tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands`
Terrain: |  |
`coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea-level`
Natural resources: |  |
`petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`8,650 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`432 cu km (2000)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 16.98 cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%) per capita: 1,283 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |

`
frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts
volcanism: Ecuador experiences volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Sangay (elev. 5,230 m), which erupted in 2010, is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina (elev. 1,476 m), a shield volcano that last erupted in 2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago
`

Environment - current issues: |  |
`deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world`

People

Population: |  |
`15,007,343 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 65`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 30.1% (male 2,301,840/female 2,209,971) 15-64 years: 63.5% (male 4,699,548/female 4,831,521) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 463,481/female 500,982) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 25.7 years male: 25 years female: 26.3 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`1.443% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82`
Birth rate: |  |
`19.96 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Death rate: |  |
`5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 186`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 67% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`Guayaquil 2.634 million; QUITO (capital) 1.801 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 99 male: 23.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 75.73 years country comparison to the world: 82 male: 72.79 years female: 78.82 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`2.42 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 91`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`37,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`2,200 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54`
Major infectious diseases: |  |
`degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 97% of population rural: 88% of population total: 94% of population unimproved: urban: 3% of population rural: 12% of population total: 6% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 84% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 16% of population total: 8% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%`
Religions: |  |
`Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%`
Languages: |  |
`Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.3% female: 89.7% (2001 census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`NA`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador`
Government type: |  |
`republic`
Capital: |  |
`name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe`
Independence: |  |
`24 May 1822 (from Spain)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)`
Constitution: |  |
`20 October 2008`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`16 years of age; universal, compulsory for persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 52%; Lucio GUTIERREZ 28.2%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.4%; other 8.4%
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (124 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAIS 59, PSP 19, PSC 11, PRIAN 7, MPD 5, PRE 3, other 20; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (according to the Constitution, justices are elected through a procedure overseen by the Judiciary Council); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (Constitutional Court justices are appointed by a commission composed of two delegates each from the Executive, Legislative, and Transparency branches of government)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Democratic Left or ID [Dalton BACIGALUPO]; Ethical and Democratic Network or RED [Martha ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Vicente TAIANO]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country or MUPP-NP [Rafael ANTUNI]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Pulley, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or PS-FA [Rafael QUINTERO]; Warrior's Spirit Movement [Jaime NEBOT]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Marlon SANTI, president]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Manuel CHUGCHILAN, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Luis Alberto ANDRANGO Cadena, president]; National Teacher's Union or UNE [Mariana PALLASCO]`
International organization participation: |  |
`CAN, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Benigno GALLEGOS Chiriboga chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven, New Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Heather HODGES embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil`
Flag description: |  |

`
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice
note: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You Our Homeland) lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and approximately one-third of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador suffered a severe economic crisis, with GDP contracting by 5.3%. Poverty increased significantly, the banking system collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its external debt. In March 2000, the Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew an average of 5.2% per year, the highest five-year average in 25 years. After moderate growth in 2007, the economy reached a growth rate of 7.2% in 2008, in large part due to high global petroleum prices and increased public sector investment. President Rafael CORREA, who took office in January 2007, defaulted in December 2008 on Ecuador's sovereign debt, which, with a total face value of approximately US$3.2 billion, represented about 80% of Ecuador's private external debt. In May 2009, Ecuador bought back 91% of its "defaulted" bonds via an international auction. Economic policies under the CORREA administration - including an announcement in late 2009 of its intention to terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties, including one with the United States - have generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. The Ecuadorian economy contracted 0.4% in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and to the sharp decline in world oil prices and remittance flows. Growth picked up to a 3.7% rate in 2010, according to Ecuadorian government estimates.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$115 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $111.4 billion (2009 est.) $111 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$58.91 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 0.4% (2009 est.) 7.2% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$7,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $7,600 (2009 est.) $7,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 6.4% industry: 35.9% services: 57.7% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`4.59 million (urban) (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 8.3% industry: 21.2% services: 70.4% (2005)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 6.5% (2009 est.)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`33.1% (June 2010)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 35.3% note: data for urban households only (June 2010)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`46.9 (June 2010) country comparison to the world: 34 50.5 (2006) note: data are for urban households`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`23.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $14.48 billion expenditures: $18.21 billion (2011 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`23.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 19.9% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 4.3% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`8.68% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 47 9.19% (31 December 2009)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`19% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 98 9.14% (31 December 2008)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$6.198 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.201 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$21.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $18.83 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$17.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $14.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$4.248 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 84 $4.562 billion (31 December 2008) $4.266 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp`
Industries: |  |
`petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`3.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93`
Electricity - production: |  |
`16.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`15.81 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`20.68 million kWh (2007 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`1.12 billion kWh (2007 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`485,700 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`181,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58`
Oil - exports: |  |
`338,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36`
Oil - imports: |  |
`80,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`6.542 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`283.2 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`283.2 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`7.985 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-692 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $-337.4 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$17.37 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $14.35 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish`
Exports - partners: |  |
`US 33.5%, Peru 6.8%, Chile 6.5%, Columbia 4.9% (2009 est.)`
Imports: |  |
`$17.65 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $14.27 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods`
Imports - partners: |  |
`US 25.4%, Columbia 10.6%, Venezuela 6.5%, Brazil 4.5% (2009 est.)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$3.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $3.792 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$14.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $13.48 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$12.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $11.95 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $8.019 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`2.004 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 57`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`13.635 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 52`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded
domestic: fixed-line services provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership reached about 95 per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 593; landing points for the PAN-AM and South America-1 submarine cables that provide links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |

`
many TV and radio stations are privately-owned; the government owns and runs one national television station and controls two others, as well as multiple radio stations; Ecuador has multiple television networks and TV channels, and a large number of local channels; more than 400 radio stations; broadcast media required by law to give the government free air time to broadcast programs produced by the state (2007)
`

Internet country code: |  |
`.ec`
Internet hosts: |  |
`67,975 (2010) country comparison to the world: 82`
Internet users: |  |
`3.352 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 64`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`428 (2010) country comparison to the world: 18`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 105 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 55 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 323 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 284 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`2 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`extra heavy crude 434 km; gas 5 km; oil 1,378 km; refined products 1,262 km (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 965 km country comparison to the world: 90 narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 43,670 km country comparison to the world: 85 paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)`
Waterways: |  |
`1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2010) country comparison to the world: 53`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 41 country comparison to the world: 77 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 1, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 1 registered in other countries: 7 (Bolivia 1, Panama 6) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Ecuadorian Armed Forces: Ecuadorian Land Force (Fuerza Terrestre Ecuatoriana, FTE), Ecuadorian Navy (Fuerza Naval del Ecuador (FNE), includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`20 years of age for selective conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2008)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 3,728,906 females age 16-49: 3,844,918 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 2,834,213 females age 16-49: 3,269,535 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 152,593 female: 147,143 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 135`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country`
Refugees and internally displaced persons: |  |
`refugees (country of origin): 11,526 (Colombia); note - UNHCR estimates as many as 250,000 Columbians are seeking asylum in Ecuador, many of whom do not register as refugees for fear of deportation (2007)`
Illicit drugs: |  |

`
significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008)
`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011