)0.27% (2019 est.). Total population: 15 839 000. Quito - the national capital and the second most populous city of Ecuador. NEW! )according to 2021 statistics from Ecuador's Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society, 50% of homes do not have access to fixed internet, total: 2,371,297 (2020 est. Situated in the foothills of the Andeans at an elevation of 2,850 meters (making it the second-highest capital city in the world after Laz Paz in Bolivia), Ecuador's capital city of Quito is known for its Spanish colonial center, particularly its sixteenth and seventeenth century palaces and religious sites, many of which remain intact today. (2020) so also sent to the National Assembly a new regulation proposal that is still under discussion. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize. The Galpagos are located 1,000 kilometres (621mi) west of the Ecuadorian coast. Officially, Duran is the name of the canton (county) with Eloy Alfaro as its capital. BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER Thraupis cyanocephala in the Tandayapa Valley of Northwestern ECUADOR. The North and South Poles are at 90N and -90S, respectively. )note: excludes oil refining, agriculture: 26.1%industry: 18.4%services: 55.5% (2017 est. In alphabetical order, these provinces are: Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua and Zamora-Chinchipe. )3.81% (2019 est. ), conventional long form: Republic of Ecuadorconventional short form: Ecuadorlocal long form: Republica del Ecuadorlocal short form: Ecuadoretymology: the country's position on the globe, straddling the Equator, accounts for its Spanish name, name: Quitogeographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 Wtime difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)time zone note: Ecuador has two time zones, including the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6)etymology: named after the Quitu, a Pre-Columbian indigenous people credited with founding the city; the name is also a combination of two Tsafiki words: quitso (meaning "center" or "half") + to or tu ("the world"); the combination roughly translates as "center of the world" and reflects the fact that native peoples recognized that at the two annual equinoxes, the overhead sun in that area (only about 20 km (12 mi) north of the equator) did not display any shade and thus must be in the middle of the world, 24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe, Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809), history: many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008amendments: proposed by the president of the republic through a referendum, by public petition of at least 1% of registered voters, or by agreement of at least one-third membership of the National Assembly; passage requires two separate readings a year apart and approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, and approval by absolute majority in a referendum; amendments such as changes to the structure of the state, constraints on personal rights and guarantees, or constitutional amendment procedures are not allowed; amended 2011, 2015, 2018, civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications; traditional law in indigenous communities, has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction, citizenship by birth: yescitizenship by descent only: yesdual citizenship recognized: noresidency requirement for naturalization: 3 years, 18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, voluntary, chief of state: President Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (since 24 May 2021); Vice President Alfredo Enrique BORRERO Vega (since 24 May 2021); the president is both chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (since 24 May 2021); Vice President Alfredo Enrique BORRERO Vega (since 24 May 2021)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 February 2021 with a runoff on 11 April 2021 (next to be held in February 2025)election results: 2021: Guillermo LASSO Mendoza elected president; first round election results: percent of vote - Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 32.72%, Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 19.74%, Yaku PEREZ Guartambel (MUPP) 19.38%, Xavier HERVAS Mora (Independent) 15.68%, other 12.48%; second round election results: percent of vote - Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 52.5%, Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 47.5%2017: Lenin MORENO Garces elected president in second round; percent of vote - Lenin MORENO Garces (Alianza PAIS Movement) 51.1%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 48.9%, description: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - all Assembly members have alternates from the same party who cast votes when a primary member is absent, resigns, or is removed from officeelections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next scheduled in February 2025)election results: percent of vote by party - UNES 32.21%, MUPP 16.81%, ID 11.98%, PSC 9.73%, CREO 9.65%, MC-PSE 3.76%, other 15.86%; seats by party - UNES 49, MUPP 27, ID 18, PSC 18, CREO 12, MC-PSE 2, independents 3, other 8; composition as of March 2022 - men 84, women 53, percent of women 38.7%; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties, highest court(s): National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (consists of 21 judges, including the chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (consists of the court president and 8 judges)judge selection and term of office: candidates for the National Court of Justice evaluated and appointed justices by the Judicial Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; justices elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; candidates for the Constitutional Court evaluated and appointed judges by a 6-member independent body of law professionals; judges appointed for 4-year renewable termssubordinate courts: provincial courts (one for each province except Galapagos); fiscal, criminal, and administrative tribunals; Election Dispute Settlement Courts; cantonal courts, Avanza Party or AVANZA [Javier ORTI Torres]Central Democratic Movement or CD [Jimmy JAIRALA]Citizen Revolution Movement or MRC or RC5 [Rafael CORREA]Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO]Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]Forward Ecuador Movement [Alvaro NOBOA]Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Marlon Rene SANTI Gualinga]Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio Edwin GUTIERREZ Borbua]Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS]Social Christian Party or PSC [Jaime NEBOT Saadi]Socialist Party [Gustavo VALLEJO] Society United for More Action or SUMA [Guillermo CELI], CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, chief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne Leila Juez De A-BAKI (since 6 February 2020)chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200FAX: [1] (202) 333-2893email address and website: embassy@ecuador.orghttp://www.ecuador.org/consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco, chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. FITZPATRICK (since 3 July 2019)embassy: E12-170 Avenida Avigiras y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quitomailing address: 3420 Quito Place, Washington DC 20521-3420telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000email address and website: ACSQuito@state.govhttps://ec.usembassy.gov/consulate(s) general: Guayaquil, three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justicenote: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms, Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red, name: "Salve, Oh Patria!" Machala is known as the Banana Capital of the World. Here, average temperatures are 3 to 9C (37.4 to 48.2F), and the precipitation often appears in the form of rain, hail, and thick fog. The highest point in Ecuador is Mount Chimborazo, at 20,560ft (6,268m); while the lowest point is at the Pacific Ocean. Almost all of the rivers in Ecuador rise in the Sierra region and flow east toward the Amazon River or west toward the Pacific Ocean. Guayaquil is located on the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Duran is known as a dormitory town, because many residents travel to other cities and regions for work, returning at night to sleep there. STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus at Sachatamia Lodge above Mindo in Northwestern ECUADOR. Main fishing products include herring and mackerel. There are 80 cities in Ecuador, with a population of 10,000 or more. The first country on the main list, Bolivia, is a country with multiple capitals; La Paz is the seat of the government while Sucre is the constitutional capital. Ecuadortopographic map Click on the mapto display elevation. The Oriente is also home to a large number of Ecuador's indigenous groups, notably the lowland Quechua, Siona, Secoya, Huaorani, and Cofn. )$10,400 (2020 est. The elevation of the places in Ecuador is also provided on the maps. Manta was most recently founded in 1535. Most world cities fall into this "nothing special" (elevation-wise) category. Quito is also the capital city closest to the equator. The legal structure of the city/canton is a little confusing. Nevertheless, the conditional cash transfer program, which requires participants' children to attend school and have medical check-ups, has helped improve educational attainment and healthcare among poor children. Guayaquil Photo by YoTuT Guayaquil is the biggest city in Ecuador and it's the country's main port. Guayaquil was founded in 1538 as a native village before falling under Spanish rule on gaining her independence in 1820. Ecuador; Including the Galpagos Islands: Areas at altitudes <1,500 m (4,921 ft) in the provinces of Carchi, Cotopaxi, Esmeraldas, Morona Santiago, Orellana, Pastaza, and Sucumbios. Quito is also known for being the capital city that is closest to the equator. An estimated 2 to 3 million Ecuadorians live abroad, but increased unemployment in key receiving countries - Spain, the United States, and Italy - is slowing emigration and increasing the likelihood of returnees to Ecuador. Lines of latitude indicate the distance of a location north or south of the equator (an imaginary line halfway between the North and South Pole). )2.3% of GDP (2020 est. note: data are in current year dollars$25.89 billion (2019 est.) For other settlements, . The climate in the Sierra is divided into levels based on altitude. In the Sierra region, the streams and rivers are narrow and flow rapidly over precipitous slopes. Duran is a small city on the east banks of Rio Guayas. Rain can also vary on a local basis. It is visited by many international tourists if even for a short time as they pass through its international airport. Located in the Andes Mountains, Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes. )wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est. In marvin demoff attorney julie barer interviewmarvin demoff attorney julie barer interview Ecuador - Population Other natural resources include timber and hydropower. )investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est. note 1: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in worldnote 2: genetic research indicates that the cherry-sized tomato originated in Ecuador without any human domestication; later domestication in Mexico transformed the plant into the large modern tomato; archeological research indicates that the cacao tree, whose seeds are used to make chocolate and which was long thought to have originated in Mesoamerica, was first domesticated in the upper Amazon region of northwest South America - present-day Ecuador - about 3,300 B.C. I also blog about photography on Storyteller Tech. ), 16.19 births/1,000 population (2023 est. The next four are more than 1,000m lower than El Alto-La Paz, with Ecuador 's capital Quito coming in at second place at 2,784m and Colombia 's capital Bogot rounding out the top five at 2,601m. Ecuador has land which is rich in petroleum. Im a traveler and photographer. The city is a popular tourist attraction, but several tourists traveling from low altitude areas experience altitude sickness upon landing. ), total population: 78.25 yearsmale: 75.32 yearsfemale: 81.32 years (2023 est. ), production: 0 metric tons (2020 est. Most rivers in Ecuador rise in the upper elevations of the Andes, flowing east toward the Amazon River, or west into the Pacific Ocean. ), 77.9% (2018/19)note: percent of women aged 15-50, improved: urban: 100% of populationrural: 87.1% of populationtotal: 95.4% of populationunimproved: urban: 0% of populationrural: 12.9% of populationtotal: 4.6% of population (2020 est. These cities are spread across the country, in many of Ecuadors 24 provinces. But are not sure about the altitude. )government consumption: 14.4% (2017 est. From 15 m to 300 m (~50 ft to ~1,000 ft) This is a list of cities located at altitudes from about 15m (approx. Cuenca is a small, clean city located in the southern portion of Ecuador. 3,230 m. according to Google Maps. The Pastaza includes the Agoyan waterfall, which at sixty-one meters is the highest waterfall in Ecuador. Geographically speaking, Ecuador is broken down in three distinct regions, the coastal region along the Pacific Ocean, the Andes that cut through the middle of the country and the Amazon region. While the city is known as Duran, it is also known as Eloy Alfaro. )nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est. List [ edit] Alphabetical [ edit] Ambato Arajuno Archidona Atacames Azogues Babahoyo Baeza Baha de Carquez Balao Balsas Balzar Baos de Agua Santa Bucay Calceta Carlos Julio Arosemena Tola Catarama Chone Coca Colimes Coronel Marcelino Mariduea Cuenca Daule Durn El Chaco El Empalme El Guabo El Triunfo Highest town in Venezuela. Peru, Colombia. )biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est. The largest city in Ecuador is Guayaquil, with a population of 1,952,029 people. The few exceptions are the longer, perennial rivers that flow throughout the Costa Externa from the Costa Internal and the Sierra on their way to the Pacific Ocean. [3] Guayaquil, located on the southern part of the coast is the biggest city in the country. )6.11% (2020 est. ), 45.4% of GDP (2017 est. 16m Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. With a population of 1,397,698 according to the last census (2001), and, as estimated by the municipality, approximately 1,504,991 in 2005, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. )percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.9% (2015 est. Below are the elevation maps of Ecuador for different zooms. Ecuador occupies a total area of 283,561 sq.km, which also includes the Galapagos Islands. Quito and most other populated areas in the Sierra are located at this temperate level. Guayaquil, in full Santiago de Guayaquil, largest city and chief port of Ecuador. note: data are in current year dollars$22.401 billion (2020 est.) So . Internal flight services from Ecuador to Galpagos are also available for tourists making it more convenient for guests from outside. ecuador cities by elevation. The provinces are subdivided into a total of 221 cantons. The government has increased its social spending to ameliorate these problems, but critics question the efficiency and implementation of its national development plan. The following is a list of the world's major cities (either capitals, more than one million inhabitants or an elevation of over 1,000 m [3,300 ft]) by elevation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I been living in boquete panama couple of months but kind of exp here and windy thinking of moving to Ecuador close to beach too fish. Ecuador is divided into four geographic regions: the coastal lowlands and mountain area; the Central Andes Mountains and its two major chains (Cordillera Occidental in the West) and the (Cordillera Oriental in the east); the lower mountains that fade into rolling hills and lowlands of the east, and the territory of the Galapagos Islands - officially called the Archipielago de Colon - located about 1,000km to the west. In fact, Rafael Correa (past president of Ecuador) is reported to have joked to this effect. In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence. The road from Baos to Puyo has long been known for its narrowness, curves and sheer drops (only one lane in some places, on one area, actually cut into the side of a cliff so that the cliff roofs over it). The most important eastwest road across the Andes is the road from Quito to Lago Agrio, which is paved for most of its length yet is heavily traveled by tractor-trailersand the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline serves as the guardrail for long stretches of this road. June 30, 2022; marie mcdonald spouse; aldi lamb shanks in red wine cooking instructions . martha washington inn restaurant; bc lions coaching staff 2020; bullhead city river run 2022. )43.2% of GDP (2016 est. The original Spanish settlement was founded in the 1530s at the mouth of the Babahoyo River, just east of the present site, by Sebastin de Belalczar, a lieutenant of the Spanish . Quito is located at 9,350 feet (2,850 meters) above sea level. Elevation map of Ecuador Longitude: -78.183406 Latitude: -1.831239 Elevation: 1394m / 4573feet Barometric Pressure: 86KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: andespanoL1003170 explored Feb 15 Thank you SWALLOW TANAGER Male Tersina viridis Eating Orange Pico Pico Fruit in a Tree in Mindo in Northwestern ECUADOR. List of South American cities by elevation, Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 02:25, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_South_American_cities_by_elevation&oldid=1141046370. )proven reserves: 24 million metric tons (2019 est. Driving Distance Calculator. Quitos latitude, elevation, and coordinates, 17 Best Galapagos Beaches (8 Islands) Photos, Snorkeling, Wildlife, Baltra Island Visitor Guide (Galapagos Gateway) 7 Things to Know, 12 Ugly Insects to Avoid (Creepy Facts, Photos) Parasites, Bugs, 9 Safest Countries in Europe: Ranked by Data (Travelers Guide), Camels Have 3 Eyelids: Heres Why (Facts and Functions), Jaguar vs Cheetah: 8 Key Differences Compared (Markings, Habitat, etc), 9 Ugly African Animals to See on Safari: Weird Birds, Mammals, 10 Facts About Darwins Cotton in the Galapagos (Gossypium darwinii), 10 Plantain Recipes: How to Cook Plantains (Videos, Photos, Recipes), 10 Tips for Shopping at an Open Market in Ecuador (11 Spanish Phrases), 11 Facts about Ecuadors Pink Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin), 11 Facts About Ecuadorian Chicha (Saliva-Fermented Yuca Drink), 13 Tasty Facts About Golden Berries: Andean Uvilla Fruit, 13 Tips for Using City Buses in Cuenca, Ecuador, La Paz, Bolivia: 11,942 feet (3,640 meters), Quito, Ecuador: 9,350 feet (2,850 meters), Sucre, Bolivia: 9,022 feet (2,750 meters). Ecuador (officially, the Republic of Ecuador) is divided into 24 administrative provinces(provincias, singular - provincia). )note: data are in 2017 dollars, 0.13% (2021 est. Several of the larger islands, however, have freshwater springs. ), urban population: 64.8% of total population (2023)rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. mark goodman tudor scotty dog spine fracture. The total population of Ecuador is 17,246,500 as of 27-May-19 , which represents 0.22% of global population and ranks Ecuador # 68 worldwide. ), forest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est. Name: Ecuador topographic map, elevation, terrain. Santo Domingo was founded on May 29, 1861. Join us as we share our experiences and the best attractions, animals, and foods from around the world. It is home to Quito International Airport and is one of two primary entry points for foreign tourists. )crude oil estimated reserves: 8.273 billion barrels (2021 est. )the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001, electrification - total population: 97% (2019)electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019), installed generating capacity: 9.354 million kW (2020 est. 283,561 km 2 (109,484 sq mi) is land and 6,720 km 2 (2,595 sq mi) water. )consumption: 342.407 million cubic meters (2019 est. )consumption: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est. )$11,400 (2019 est. Administrative city: Tena WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN Female (a hummingbird) Florisuga mellivora Hovering in Sleeping Hibiscus Bush in Mindo, ECUADOR. Guayaquil Guayaquil, the capital of Guayas Province, is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador with a population of about 2,278,691. ), 59 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est. The tropical level400 to 1,800 meters (1,312 to 5,906ft)has temperatures ranging from 20 to 25C (68.0 to 77.0F) and heavy precipitation. Or maybe a detail/fact to add? The cordilleras were formed earlier in the Cenozoic era (the current geological era), as the Nazca Plate has subducted underneath the South American Plate and has raised the mountain range. )wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. ), production: 342.407 million cubic meters (2019 est. It retains many historical buildings from the Spanish colonial period and its city center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. . The eastern lowlands in the Oriente experience abundant rainfall, especially in the Andean Piedmont, sometimes exceeding 5,000 millimeters (196.9in) per year. )1 (2019 est. Ecuador is comparatively high at an average elevation of 1117 meters above sea level. ), total: 11.3% (2020 est. It has 2237 km of land boundaries, with Colombia in the north (708 km border) and Peru in the east and south (1,529 km border). In addition, the country, continental region, latitude and longitude are shown for all cities listed. )exports: 1.826 billion kWh (2019 est. A second, nationwide wave of emigration in the late 1990s was caused by another economic downturn, political instability, and a currency crisis. The above blank map represents Ecuador - a country in northwestern South America. ), improved: urban: 100% of populationrural: 96.9% of populationtotal: 98.9% of populationunimproved: urban: 0% of populationrural: 3.1% of populationtotal: 1.1% of population (2020 est. ), women married by age 15: 3.8%women married by age 18: 22.2% (2018 est. Fitch rating: B- (2020)Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020)Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020)note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained. The Esmeraldas River is 320 kilometers long and has a 20,000-square-kilometer drainage basin. They are noted for their association with Charles Darwin, whose observation of animals here during the voyage of the Beagle led to his formation of the theory of natural selection as a means of evolution. deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galpagos Islands. )female: 4.2% (2020 est. Its second largest city is Guayaquil, in the Guayas Province. The elevation of the city's central square is 2,800 m (about 9,186 ft), making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the . This isnt unheard of, other countries also have multiple capitals (The Netherlands, Chile, Honduras all have two capitals. )2.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $2.98 billion)2.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $3.14 billion)2.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.1 billion), approximately 40,000 active military personnel (25,000 Army; 9,000 Navy; 6,000 Air Force) (2022), the military's equipment inventory is mostly older and derived from a wide variety of sources; in recent years, Ecuador has received limited amounts of military equipment from more than 15 countries, including Brazil, China, Russia, and the US (2022), 18 years of age for selective conscript military service, although conscription was suspended in 2008; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Ecuadorian birth requirement; 1-year service obligation; females have been allowed to serve in all branches since 2012 (2022)note: in 2017, women made up an estimated 3% of the military, border conflicts with Peru dominated the militarys focus until the late 1990s and border security remains a priority, but in more recent years, security challenges have shifted towards counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics operations, particularly in the northern border area where violence and other criminal activity related to terrorism, insurgency, and narco-trafficking in Colombia, as well as refugees from Venezuela, has spilled over the border; troop deployments along the border with Colombia were scaled back following the 2016 signing of a peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist group (see Appendix T), but recent violence associated with FARC dissidents to the agreement have led Ecuador and Colombia to reinforce their shared border; since 2012, the Ecuadorian Government has also expanded the militarys role in general public security and counter-narcotics operations, in part due to rising violence, police corruption, and police ineffectivenessthe military has had a large role in Ecuadors political history; it ruled the country from 1963-1966 and 1972-1979, and supported a dictatorship in 1970-1972; during the 1980s, the military remained loyal to the civilian government, but civilian-military relations were at times tenuous, and the military had considerable autonomy from civilian oversight; it was involved in coup attempts in 2000 and 2010 (2023), the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters of Ecuador as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen; there has been a slight decrease with four attacks reported in 2021 and five in 2020; one ship was boarded while underway and two ships were fired upon, organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, refugees (country of origin): 65,854 (Colombia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2021); 513,900 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2022), Ecuador is a major transit country for illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and chemical precursors to process cocaine from Colombia and Peru; not a major drug producing country, total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030, Children under the age of 5 years underweight, School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education), International law organization participation, Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income, Household income or consumption by percentage share, Civil aircraft registration country code prefix, Military and security service personnel strengths, Military equipment inventories and acquisitions, Refugees and internally displaced persons, Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI).