From South America’s oldest city to the islands that inspired Charles Darwin, these are the most interesting facts about Ecuador.
Fast facts
Official name: Republic of Ecuador
Population: 18,309,984
Area: 283,561 sq km
Capital city: Quito
Major languages: 98.6% Spanish (Castilian; official), 3.9% Indigenous (3.2% Quechua)
Major religions: Christianity (68.2% Roman Catholic, 19% Protestant)
Time zone: UTC-05:00 (SA Pacific Standard Time)
Interesting facts about Ecuador
1. Ecuador is in the northwest region of South America and borders Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica and the Pacific Ocean.
2. About 42,000 sq miles of the Amazon rainforest thrives in Ecuador.
3. Ecuador is South America’s fourth smallest country.
4. Ancient findings in Ecuador suggest that the first inhabitants lived there from 3000 to 2500 BCE.
5. Ecuador didn’t have any states or cities until the ruling of the Inca empire (1471–93).
6. Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish explorer, arrived in the region in 1531, and Spain invaded and conquered Ecuador in 1534.
7. Ecuador gained independence from Spanish rule in 1822.
8. Ecuador formed part of the Republic of Gran Colombia and separated as its own republic in 1830.
9. The flag of Ecuador consists of three horizontal bands: the top band is yellow and takes up half of the flag’s height, symbolizing the country’s sunshine, grain and natural resources. The middle band is blue, representing the sky and the sea, while the bottom band is red, symbolizing the blood shed for independence. The flag also features the national coat of arms in the center.
10. Quito, founded by the Spanish in 1534, is also a UNESCO site. It is a great example of where Indigenous and European art fuse together, with evidence of baroque (old Western culture) style.
11. Quito is the oldest city among all South American capitals.
12. Quito is also the world’s second-highest capital city, at an elevation of 2,850 m (9,350 ft).
13. Guinea pig (locally known as “cuy”) is considered a delicacy in some parts of Ecuador, particularly among the Indigenous communities.
14. The Galápagos Islands is an archipelago some 1,000 km from the coast of Ecuador, and it is where the Nazca, Cocos, and Pacific plates meet. The resulting seismic and volcanic activity and unique wildlife make this a prized UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15. The Galápagos Islands are said to have inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution of natural selection following a visit in 1835.
16. Ecuador is the Spanish word for equator. The equator is an imaginary line that separates the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere. The line runs through the northern part of the country, about 25 km (15 mi) from Quito.
17. The Mitad del Mundo (“Middle of the World”) in Ecuador is a 100-foot monument with a globe and a yellow line depicting Earth’s midpoint. It was established in 1979 to pay homage to the equator, which they believed to be at that particular point. Unfortunately, more accurate measuring techniques have determined that they were off by a few hundred feet.
18. In 2022, Ecuador was the third largest exporter of cocoa beans ($937M USD).
19. Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world that legally recognizes the “rights of nature” movement, granting ecosystems the right to exist and thrive. In fact, it was the first country to change its constitution in 2008 to state that nature has the same rights as people and corporations.
20. Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador is rich in flora and fauna. The park has approximately 4,000 species of vegetation, along with some unexpected guests, such as spectacled bears and jaguars. Approximately 6% of the world’s bird species can be found there, which is around two-fifths of Ecuador’s bird species.
21. Ecuador’s national tree is the cinchona tree, which produces quinine, the first known treatment for malaria. It is also the national tree of Peru.
22. Ecuador was the world’s second-largest exporter of roses in 2022 ($809M USD). The country’s unique climate allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of flowers year-round.
23. The Panama Hats actually originate from Ecuador.
Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Ecuador using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.