The official name is the Republic of Ecuador. The country owes its name to the imaginary **equator line** that crosses its territory.

The Republic of Ecuador was established in 1830, when it separated from Gran Colombia (a state that included territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador). Historically, the name highlights the country's unique geographical position.

Ecuador is located in northwest South America, bordering Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east. Its coast extends along the Pacific Ocean.

The country is divided into four natural regions: the Amazon, the Sierra (Andes), the Coast, and the Insular Region (Galapagos Islands). This geographical diversity makes it one of the **most biodiverse countries in the world**.

The capital of Ecuador is Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito. It is the oldest city in South America and the **second most populous city** in the country after Guayaquil.

Quito is the political and administrative center of Ecuador. It is located on the eastern slope of the Pichincha volcano, at 2,850 meters above sea level, making it one of the **highest capitals in the world** (along with La Paz). Its historical center is considered a **UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site**.

Ecuador is a **Unitary and Decentralized Republic** governed by the 2008 Constitution. Its system is distinguished by five branches of state power:

• Executive Branch: Headed by the **President**, Head of State and Government, elected by popular vote for a four-year term.
• Legislative Branch: Exercised by the **National Assembly**, a unicameral body.
• Judicial Branch: Led by the **National Court of Justice**.
• Electoral Branch: Organized by the **National Electoral Council (CNE)**.
• Transparency and Social Control Function: Control bodies that oversee rights and public probity.

Ecuador shares land borders with two countries: Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east. Its total land border is 2,010 km.

• Peru: 1,529 km
• Colombia: 481 km

To the west, the Ecuadorian coast extends over the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the Galapagos Islands have a strategic position in the Pacific, increasing its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Spanish is the official language of Ecuador. However, the Constitution also recognizes Kichwa and Shuar as official languages for intercultural relations. Additionally, there are **11 other recognized ancestral languages**.

Education in the systems of indigenous communes, communities, peoples, and nationalities is taught in their own language, ensuring respect for the country's **linguistic and cultural diversity**.

Ecuador is a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion and belief, although it maintains a profound influence from **Catholicism**, inherited from the colonial era.

• Catholicism: It is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 79% of the population.
• Protestantism/Evangelism: It is the second largest religion.
• No Affiliation: Nearly 10% declare themselves atheist, agnostic, or non-religious.

Since 2000, the legal tender currency in Ecuador has been the US Dollar (USD). The country abandoned its previous currency, the Sucre, in a process known as dollarization.

Dollarization provides monetary stability and low inflation, although it removes the Central Bank's ability to use monetary policy. Fractional metallic coins are minted locally (Ecuadorian cents), but banknotes are **exclusively US dollars**.