Ecuador - Center for Cultural Resources - Latin America - LibGuides at Indiana University Southeast

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Population: 17.5 million people live in Ecuador (2023)
Capital: Quito with almost 2 million inhabitants
Name: República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador)
Government: Democracy, Republic
Language: Spanish
Literacy: More than 92% of the people can read and write.
Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 69%)
Currency: 1 US Dollar = 100 cents
National Symbols: yellow, blue and red (national colours), Andean condor (national bird)
National Anthem: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)
National Day: 10 August (Independence Day)
History: Amerindians were the earliest settlers in the region which later became part of the Inca empire. The region was colonised by the Spanish in 16th century. Ecuador proclaimed independence in 1809 and from 1820 - 1830 was part of Gran Colombia. Only in 1840 the independence of Ecuador was recognised by Spain. Since 15 October 2023, Daniel Noboa is the President of Ecuador. He is 35 years old and the youngest president in Ecuador's history and one of the youngest presidents in the world.