Ecuadorian

Ecuadorian refers to something of, from, or related to Ecuador, a country in the northwest of South America. As a demonym, it designates people who are born in Ecuador or identify with its culture, and it can describe things associated with the country. The name Ecuador comes from Spanish for “the equator,” an allusion to the country’s location along the equatorial line; the capital Quito lies near the equator.

Geographically, Ecuador encompasses the Andean highlands, the coastal plain, and part of the Amazon rainforest, as well as the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into 24 provinces, with Quito as the capital and Guayaquil as the largest city and major port. The population is diverse, with a plurality of mestizos and sizable Indigenous groups such as Quechua and Shuar, along with Afro-Ecuadorians and Montubios.

Linguistically, Spanish is the dominant language. Indigenous languages such as Quechua and Shuar are spoken in various regions, and English is used in tourism and business settings. The majority of Ecuadorians identify as Roman Catholic, with Protestant and other communities also present.

Economically, Ecuador has a mixed economy with significant sectors in petroleum, agriculture (notably bananas and flowers), and tourism. Since 2000 the economy uses the United States dollar as its official currency. The Galápagos Islands, part of Ecuador, are renowned for their unique biodiversity and scientific significance.