Fundacion Europeo para niños con cancer

About Ecuador

Ecuador, on the west coast of the South American continent, bordering with Colombia and Peru, is divided into three distinct geographic areas. With 11.6 Mio inhabitants, Ecuador is the most densely populated country of Latin America.

The coastal area (Costa) is marked by miles of sandy beaches, mangrove forests and lush tropical vegetation. Its people vary in race and color, but a great population for Afro Americans have settled in the Esmeraldas aera. They are descendants of slaves that were brought from Africa by the Spanish colonialists.

The Andeans (Sierra) form a great divide through the middle of the country. Snow covered volcanoes of more than 6000 m altitude and breathtaking landscapes fascinate tourists. The Indian population spreads throughout the highlands. In the middle of the mountain on 2800 m altitude lies Quito with a population of 1.2 Mio.

The rainforest region (Oriente) and precursor to the Amazonas river, forms the third geographic area of Ecuador. Its climate is tropically hot and humid, its vegetation dense and lush. The economic interest in the oil industry has formed a multiracial society there. However, the more deeper into the interior of the rainforest one reaches, the more traditional the people become.

Ecuador is a developing country and with a per capita GDP of USD 2300 belongs to the lower level on the middle income scale. However, the divide between rich and poor is one of the most marked in the world. Approx. 40% of the population is poor (income of 1 to 2 USDdaily), despite its exports of oil. About 20% (income below 1 USD daily) are extremely poor. This part mostly lives in the countryside. Unemployment and Underemployment are about 50-60%. The banking crisis of 1999 and following recession caused widespread emigration (5% of population in 5years). There are many state run institutions, but governance is poor, corruption high and reforms are rarely realized, especially in the sectors of health and education.