highest peak is Chimborazo, at 20,702
feet (6,310 meters). Between the ranges
are fertile valleys and plateaus. East of
the Andes, rain forests grow in the basin
of the Amazon River. In this region the
Napo River flows toward Peru.
Most of Ecuador has a hot, humid climate
year-round. The mountain regions
are cooler, and the highest peaks are
snowcapped.
Plants and Animals
Palms grow in the central part of Ecuador’s
coast. The coastal region is also the
agricultural center of the country. The
mountains have some evergreen forests
as well as grasses at higher elevations.
Logging has threatened many of Ecuador’s
rain forests.
In the rain forests live monkeys, jaguars,
ocelots, foxes, weasels, otters, skunks,
raccoons, coatis (relatives of the raccoon),
and tree-dwelling mammals
called kinkajous. The Galapagos Islands
are known for their unusual animal life,
including giant tortoises and marine
iguanas.
People
More than 40 percent of Ecuadorans are
mestizos—people with mixed European
and American Indian roots. Almost the
same number of people are American
Indians. Whites, blacks, and Asians form
smaller groups. Most people are Roman
Catholics. Spanish is the official language,
but many Indians speak Quechua
or Shuar.
Most Ecuadorans live in cities along the
coast or in the mountains. Very few
102 Ecuador BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
people live in the eastern part of the
country.
Economy
Ecuador’s economy depends on natural
resources and agriculture. The country
produces mainly oil, bananas, and
shrimp. Other important products
include sugarcane, palm oil, rice, corn,
cut flowers, and canned fish. In recent
years manufacturing has increased in
Ecuador. Factories make tires, textiles,
and other items.
History
The land now known as Ecuador had a
long history before the arrival of Europeans.
People there made pottery figures
as early as 3000 to 2500 BC. In the AD
1400s the Inca of what is now Peru conquered
the area. They ruled until Spain
invaded in 1534. The Spanish built
huge estates and forced the Indians to
work on them.
With help from Simon Bolivar, Ecuador
won its independence from Spain in
1822. It joined Colombia and Venezuela
to form the Republic of Colombia,
called Gran Colombia. Bolivar served as
its president. Ecuador left the republic
in 1830 and became an independent
country.
Since independence Ecuador has had
many changes of government. Because
of the constant change, it has been difficult
for Ecuadorans to make progress.
However, Ecuador solved one longstanding
problem in 1998, when the
president signed a peace treaty with
Peru. The two countries had been fighting
for many years over part of their
shared border.
..More to explore
Andes • Bolivar, Simon • Galapagos
Islands • Quito
Women sell reeds at a market in Ecuador.
The reeds are used to make hats.
Cotopaxi is an active volcano in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador.
Facts About
ECUADOR
Population
(2008 estimate)
13,481,000
Area
105,037 sq mi
(272,045 sq km)
Capital
Quito
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Guayaquil,
Quito, Cuenca,
Machala, Santo
Domingo de los
Colorados,
Manta
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Ecuador 103
Edinburgh
Population
(2006 estimate)
464,000
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland,
one of the four main parts of the country
called the United Kingdom. The city
is known as a place of learning. Through
the years it has produced many great
thinkers and writers.
Cityscape
Edinburgh is built on a series of hills
and rocky ridges. It has a port on a part
of the North Sea.
The oldest section of Edinburgh is
called the Old Town. It developed
around Castle Rock, which rises high
above a valley floor. At its top stands
Edinburgh Castle, the home of Scottish
kings and queens in ancient times.
Edinburgh’s other main section is the
New Town. Despite its name, it is more
than 200 years old. Today it is the city’s
main business area.
Economy
Edinburgh is a major center of banking
and law. Other services, such as education,
health care, trade, and tourism, are
also important.
History
People have lived in the Edinburgh
region for thousands of years. What is
now called the Old Town dates back to
the 1000s.
Edinburgh became Scotland’s capital in
the 1400s. Scotland was then an independent
kingdom. It became part of the
United Kingdom in 1707.
In the 1700s Edinburgh became a great
cultural center. Many important philosophers,
writers, and scientists lived
there. It was also the birthplace of the
Encyclop.dia Britannica.
Edinburgh’s New Town was built in the
late 1700s and early 1800s. The city
grew greatly over the next century.
Scotland began to govern most of its
own affairs again in 1999. Scottish law-
Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s most
popular tourist attractions.
104 Edinburgh BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
makers began meeting in Edinburgh
once more.
#More to explore
Scotland • United Kingdom
Edison, Thomas
Alva
Thomas Edison was called a “wizard”
because of his many important inventions.
He created more than 1,000
devices on his own or with others. His
best-known inventions include the phonograph
(record player), the lightbulb,
and motion-picture equipment.
