Ecuadors

Ecuadors is not a standard term in English-language reference works. It may appear as a mistaken plural of Ecuador, the country, or as a reference to the Spanish word ecuador meaning “the equator.” This article outlines common interpretations and clarifies appropriate usage.

Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The capital is Quito, and the largest city is Guayaquil. The official language is Spanish; indigenous languages such as Quechua are also spoken. The population is around 17 to 19 million. The economy relies on oil, agriculture (notably bananas and flowers), and a growing services sector. The country uses the United States dollar as its currency since 2000. Its geography includes the Andean highlands, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands. People from Ecuador are called Ecuadorians.

In another sense, ecuador is the Spanish word for the equator, the imaginary line at 0 degrees latitude that crosses multiple continents. In English, the term is “equator.” The Ecuadorian nation takes its name from its location near the equator, a fact reflected in climate variation and biodiversity across its regions. The term “Ecuadors” is rarely used in formal writing and is generally avoided in favor of Ecuador or equator, depending on context.