Galapagos

Region

Pacific Ocean. The islands belong to Ecuador

Capital

Quito. Population: 2.1 million (2008 estimate).

Government

Democratic republic since 1978.

Geography

Ecuador is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The Andes running from the Colombian border in the north to Peru in the south have two main ranges - the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, divided by the Avenue of Volcanoes. The coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific is covered by tropical forests and plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar. The Amazon jungle comprises 36% of Ecuador's land area, but contains only 3% of the population. Colonisation is, however, increasing in the wake of the oil boom.

Language

Spanish is the official language, but Quichua (Kichwa) and other indigenous languages are common.

Religion

Christianity, with 95% Roman Catholic.

Time

Mainland: GMT - 5.
Galapagos Islands: GMT - 6.

Social Conventions

Casual wear is widely acceptable, other than for business. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Revealing clothes should not be worn in towns.

Photography: A tip may be requested if you wish to take someone's photograph and it is better to seek permission first.

Electricity

120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs used are American-style (two perpendicular flat blades above a circular grounding pin) and Japanese-style (two perpendicular flat blades).

Head of State

President Rafael Correa since 2007.

Recent History

Elected in October 2006, Ecuador's left-wing president Rafael Correa, aligned with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, has pushed through a new constitution which gives him more power. He has pursued nationalization policies, pledged to close a US military base and broken relations with the neighbouring Colombia over a border incident. The two countries were on the brink of war after Colombian forces attacked a guerrilla camp on the Ecuadorean side of the border.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period:

2009

1 Jan New Year's Day;

12 Feb Amazon and Galapagos Day;

27Feb Civicism and National Unity Day;

10 Apr Good Friday;

1 May Labour Day;

24 May Battle of Pichincha;

10 Aug Independence Day;

9Oct Guayaquil Independence Day;

2 Nov All Souls' Day;

3 Nov Cuenca Independence Day;

25 Dec Christmas Day;

31 Dec New Year's Eve.

2010

1 Jan New Year's Day;

12 Feb Amazon and Galapagos Day;

27Feb Civicism and National Unity Day;

2 Apr Good Friday;

1 May Labour Day;

24 May Battle of Pichincha;

10 Aug Independence Day;

9Oct Guayaquil Independence Day;

2 Nov All Souls' Day;

3 Nov Cuenca Independence Day;

25 Dec Christmas Day;

31 Dec New Year's Eve.

NOTE: Ecuador's Carnival (in March/April), the Foundation of Guayaquil (usually in October), the Foundation of Cuenca (usually in November) and the Foundation of Quito (usually in December) are not official public holidays, but are widely observed. Other holidays, in addition to the above, may be marked locally.

Things to Do

Hiking in the Andes - High-altitude walks in the Cotopaxi and El Cajas national parks require some stamina due to the lack of oxygen, but this is your chance to see the stunning scenery of the grass-covered paramo plateaus, surrounded by volcanoes.

Scaling volcanoes - Cotopaxi - the world's highest active volcano - is one of the best mountains to start your climbing career. The climb doesn't require previous experience, but you need to be very fit and accustomed to high altitude.

Jungle - The wet equatorial forest of the Oriente is teeming with wildlife. Some areas are dotted with eco-lodges from where travellers embark on canoe expeditions through the intricate network of rivers and creeks that form the Amazon basin.

Cycling down the Andes - A few tour agencies in Quito offer cycling trips that take in the high-altitude paramo at an altitude of 4,000m (13,123ft) down to the lush tropical forests at 1,000m (3,280ft), passing the numerous climatic zones in between.

Cruising in the Galapagos - One of the world's most enticing destinations, the remote Pacific islands are full of unique creatures that you can't find anywhere else in the world. The ultimate experience is swimming with the giant Galapagos tortoises. Cruises should be booked in advance.

Surfing - The Pacific coast of Ecuador has sandy beaches that draw crowds of surfers. The village of Montañitahas grown into a surfers' enclave with plenty of cheap accommodation and active nightlife.

Devil's Nose - Riding on the train's roof is not forbidden by the local tourist authorities in Ecuador - it's more encouraged. The famously precipitous Devil's Nose'train route takes you from Riobamba to the Alausi station, with most passengers opting to ride on top of the carriage.

Indian shopping - Indigenous markets are an ethnologist's wonder, but also a cheap and efficient way to stock up on gifts for your friends and families. While the Otavalomarket mostly caters for tourists, the market in Saqisili is a authentically local affair.

Things to See

Quito - Set at 2,850m (9,348ft), the Ecuadorean capital boasts one of the continent's best-preserved colonial downtowns. Its lavishly decorated 16th-century churches are full of exquisite religious art, while its plazas remember marching conquistadores, shackled slaves and Jesuits preaching to the Indians.

Avenue of Volcanoes - Driving along the Panamericana on a sunny day, you'll find yourself surrounded by towering snowcapped volcanoes that invite for a hiking or climbing adventure. The most notable of them are volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.

Equator line - The huge granite monument marking the equator line is not far from Quito (www.mitaddelmundo.com). Local guides will show how water swirls clockwise and anti-clockwise direction on both side of the line to prove its scientific significance.

Cuenca - Founded in 1577, Cuenca (www.cuenca.com.ec) is perhaps the best example of a South American colonial city. You are likely to feel the ambience already when checking into your hotel, most of which are located in heritage buildings. The nearby Ingapirca site gives a glimpse of Ecuador's pre-colonial history.

Guayaquil - The long riverside promenade in Ecuador's commercial capital (www.inguayaquil.com) is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with shady gardens and nice restaurants. Nearby, Barrio las Peñas is a former slum converted into a bohemian district, full of galleries, souvenir shops and bars.

Littoral - This narrow coastal belt has several attractive towns, such as Playas Posoriaand Salinas, while Esmeraldas, one of the country's most important ports, is also known for its beautiful beaches. The relaxing island of Muisneis fast becoming a popular destination.

Baños - This tourist resort is booming despite having been several times evacuated because of its violent neighbour - the permanently erupting Tungurahua volcano. At night, you can watch from a safe distance how the mountain exhales fumes and lava streaks.

Galapagos Islands - This is the place to see the main characters in Charles Darwin's Origin of Species' - Darwin finches and more unusual creatures, such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana and the unique tropical penguins (www.galapagospark.org).

Travel Advice

Most visits are trouble-free. It is advised against all travel to the province of Sucumbios, which borders Colombia. Armed groups are active in this province and there is a risk of kidnapping and crime.

Visitors are advised against all travel within 16 km (10 miles) of the Tungurahua volcano in all directions due to an eruption on 6 February 2008. At present, the Ecuadorian authorities have forbidden all access to the volcano and have restricted access to Baños, Pelileo and the immediate surrounding areas. Visitors should also monitor local media for updates.

Street demonstrations, protests and strikes are commonplace in Ecuador, and they sometimes turn violent. Take care to avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering, particularly under present political circumstances.

It is a legal requirement to carry some form of identification with you at all times. A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.

Travellers should be aware of the risks of crime in all areas and take sensible precautions at all times. You should be particularly vigilant in poorer urban areas, after dark and on public transport. It is recommended not to travel alone.

Some bus robberies have been reported at the Macará and Huaquillas Ecuador/Peru border crossings and in the provinces of El Oro, Los Rios, Guayas and Azuay. 'Express kidnappings' are on the increase. Visitors should exercise caution when arriving in, and travelling around, Ecuador and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors. Although tourists were not initially targeted, there has been an increase in this kind of robbery and some tourists have been affected. Visitors should be particularly aware around the city of Guayaquil and in the south of Ecuador, including the Ecuador/Peru border crossings of Macará and Huaquillas, as the majority of reported cases come from these areas. The threat from terrorism is low. But travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.