Generalinfo1



Mackenzie Brinckerhoff

 Ecuador has a climate for anyone! The lowlands, the Oriente region, are usually very hot and humid. On the coast, the Costa region, the temperature ranges from 65-90 degrees, while the highlands can be 35-70. But at high altitude, the Sierra, direct sunlight can heat it up to 85 degrees [5]. Their mountain ranges include 22 peaks over 14,000 feet high. Within this mountain range is the second highest active volcano, Cotopaxi [3]. Ecuador's two major rivers running through it are The Esmeraldas, and The Guayas. [5]

Do you like bananas? Well, if you do, chances are you're eating them from Ecuador! Ecuador is the largest exporter of bananas [5]. It exports 28.5% of the worlds bananas [9]. That's a lot for just one country! It also exports shrimp, petroleum, and cut flowers (It is one of America's primary suppliers in cut flowers now. [4]) It's imports are consumer goods (clothes, food, etc.), industrial materials, and capital goods (machinery used to produce items for consumers). However, even with it's major exports, 38.3% of the population (13,755,680 people) is under the poverty level. In 1999 the economy crashed and was at high risk for hyper-inflation [5]. They use euros for currency and one euro is equal to $1.57 in the U.S. Ecuador is under a Rupublic government, and it's legal system is based on the Civil Legal System [5].

95% of all Ecuadorians are of the Roman-Catholic faith [5]. In late November, many take a walk to the Quito Valley to a religious shrine "...where people come to pray for a sick person or to give thanks for health and prosperity." [5]

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