FACTS

Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Area (only Total) total: 283,560 sq km

Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Population: 13,927,650

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Quito

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 24 May 1822

National holiday: Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

HOLIDAYS

March 21 Good Friday

May 1 Labour Day

May 24 Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha

July 24 Simon Bolivar Day

July 25 Foundation of Guayaquil

August 10 Independence of Quito

October 9 Independence of Guayaquil (Guayaquil only)

October 12 Día de la Raza (Day of the Race)

October 31 National Flag Day

November 2 Memorial Day/All Souls Day

November 3 Foundation of Cuenca

December 6 Foundation of Quito

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 New Year's Eve

Weekend Saturday, Sunday