ECUADOR

Government
Sometimes had dictators
Struggled to develop democracies
Democracy today (Democratic Republic)
Governments include national legislatures and Supreme Court
Leader Today: Rafael Correa since January 2012

History
Ecuador was colonized by the Spanish and achieved independence in the 1800s.
Ecuador is the Spanish word for equator which crosses the country. Ecuador struggled to develop a democracy. It had several constitutions that provided for free elections.
But dictators and military leaders often took control. Today Ecuador is a democratic republic. It includes a national legislature, a Supreme Court and an elected president.

Economy
Main trading partner: USA
Major Industries: petroleum, wood products, textiles, food processing, cement
Agriculture Products: bananas, coffee, and shrimp
Important mineral: Gold
Most people are farmers

People and Culture
Most Ecudorians are Indians or mestizo

Ecudorian artist carve objects using the Tagua plant the Tagua nut resembles ivory which is a material that comes from elephant tusk they make button and art out of this

Countries in the Andes mountains are famous for pan pipe music

STATS

• Population: 15.47 million
• Population Density 58.24 PSM
• Life Expectancy Male: 73 years Female: 78 years
• PCI: $11,839
• GDP: $107 billion
• Imports: Coal, Tar, and Oil
• Exports: Crude petroleum, Bananas, and Crustaceans