ek'wah dor, a country of South America, extending from 1 deg. 45' north latitude to 5 deg. south latitude, lying between Colombia on the n., Peru on the s. and the Pacific Ocean on the w. The eastern boundary is in dispute, so that the exact area is not known. The area usually given, however, is 115,650 square miles, making the country a little larger than Arizona. SURFACE AND DRAINAGE. The surface of Ecuador is divided into three regions: the lowland region along the coast; the highlands, including the mountains and plateaus in the central portion of the country, and the extensive plains on the east. The coast region is comparatively narrow, and from this the highlands rise abruptly to the plateau, upon which two parallel ranges of the Andes rest, extending north and south. Among the groups of mountains of this region are sixteen peaks having altitudes ranging from 15,000 to 20,500 feet. The most noted of these are Chimborazo, 20,500 feet, and Cotopaxi, 19,600 feet, as far as known the highest active volcano in the world. Near the northern boundary these parallel ranges converge and form several elevated tracts, known as knots, the most prominent one being in the southern part of Colombia. Toward the south there is a similar convergence, and between these points are a number of plateau valleys, the most important being those of Quito, Hambato and Cuenca. In elevation these range from 8000 to 14,000 feet. Their soil is fertile, and they are the home of the greater part of the population of the country. East of the Andes the land slopes to the great plain, which is continuous with the basin of the Amazon. Most of the rivers are rapid mountain streams and are of little value for navigation. However, the Amazon, known in this part of its course as the Maranon, is navigable to the point nearest to the southern boundary, and some of the larger tributaries can be ascended a part of the way with small boats. The most important of these are the Santiago, the Japura and the Napo. Some of these streams flow for a part of their course through Peru. The principal rivers flowing into the Pacific are the Mira, Esmeralda and Guayas. CLIMATE. Being directly under the equator, Ecuador has a tropical climate, but owing to the varying elevations, this is greatly modified, so that actually within the country all grades of climate, from the tropical to the frigid, are found. The lowlands on the coast are exceedingly hot, moist and in many localities unhealthful; and the plains on the east are hot and comparatively dry, while the plateau valleys have a temperate and salubrious climate, in which spring reigns throughout the year. Above these, the highest altitudes of the mountains have a rigorous, cold climate, and most of the summits are crowned with perpetual snow. The rainfall is ample for agricultural purposes, and throughout the country there are two seasons, known as the wet and the dry, though in the plateau valleys these are not distinctly marked. MINERAL RESOURCES. Ecuador has rich deposits of minerals, consisting of gold-bearing quartz, silver ore, deposits of copper, iron, mercury and petroleum. Emeralds and other precious stones have also been found within the country. However, owing to lack of transportation facilities and the lethargy of the people, none of these has been worked on an extensive scale. INDUSTRIES. Agriculture is the leading industry and is carried on chiefly in the plateau valleys. Wheat and barley sufficient for home needs are raised, and in some districts corn is successfully cultivated. Cattle are raised on the plains, and on the west side of the mountains there are many large tracts devoted to the cultivation of the cacao tree. Coffee is also raised upon the lowlands. Cacao, cinchona bark, sarsaparilla, india rubber, coffee, hides and sugar are the agricultural and forest exports. Manufactures are few and are confined almost entirely to domestic industries, except the manufacture of Panama hats, which are made from the midrib of the leaf of the screw pine. This work is done almost entirely by the indians, and because dampness is essential to the best results, most of the weaving is done at night. Transportation facilities are very poor. The only carriage road is from Quito to Guayaquil and has a length of about 125 miles. There is also a line of railway connecting Duran, opposite Guayaquil, with Guamote, 125 miles distant. The country contains about 1250 miles of telegraph lines. Throughout the interior all goods are carried upon pack animals, and lack of transportation facilities prevents extensive commerce with foreign countries. Most of the foreign trade is with France and Great Britain. INHABITANTS AND LANGUAGE. Fully one-half of the people of Ecuador are indians. These belong to two or three different nationalities, but those descended from the ancient Incas far outnumber the others. These indians have partially adopted the manners and customs of civilization. They are peaceable and industrious and are generally devoted to tilling the soil, raising live stock and manufacturing Panama goods. They speak the Quichua language. Aside from the indians the inhabitants consist of Spaniards and Creoles, who are a mixed race descended from Spaniards, negroes and people of other nationalities. Spanish is the prevailing language among these people, and it is the official language of the government. GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION. The government is republican in form. The chief executive is a president, who is elected by direct vote for four years. The legislative power is vested in a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies, which corresponds to our House of Representatives. The senators are apportioned two to each province and are elected by direct vote for a term of four years, while the members of the lower house are elected for a term of two years. The local government of each province is administered by a governor. The Roman Catholic religion prevails and is embraced by nearly all the inhabitants. Education is in a backward state. There are few public schools and no advanced educational institutions of importance. CITIES. The chief towns are Quito, the capital, and Guayaquil, the chief seaport, each of which is described under its title. HISTORY. Ecuador was a part of the empire of the Incas, and the country still contains remains of roads and other public works constructed by these people before they were conquered by the Spaniards. For some time after the conquest it was under the government of the viceroy of Peru. In 1822, along with other Spanish colonies, Ecuador gained its independence and became a part of the Republic of New Granada, now Colombia. This union was dissolved in 1829, since which date Ecuador has been an independent state. Population, estimated at 1,400,000.