Ecuador, with a population of 14.5+ million, is considered among the most mega-diverse countries in the world. In relation to its surface, Ecuador holds the greatest amount of species of plants and animals on Earth. It occupies fourth place in bird diversity.
Ecuador’s official language is Spanish. Its capital is Quito (3½ hours by plane from Miami), which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 1970s for having the best preserved old town center in Latin America. Its government is a Democratic Republic. The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, but there is complete religious freedom. The country is divided into four different zones: the Amazon Basin, the Andean Highlands, the Pacific Lowlands (where Hacienda Palo Alto is located, and the cities of Bahia de Caraquez and Manta) and the Galapagos Islands. Since it is located right on the equator, the country as a whole experiences no extreme weather changes, and it is generally spring weather year-round, except at high elevations.
The currency is the US Dollar. Ecuador’s local coins are equivalent to American pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and fifty-cent pieces, all of which are legal tender in Ecuador. Ecuador is located in the same time zone as the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, and it does not have daylight savings time. Ecuador welcomes foreigners, including North Americans and Europeans, who seek residency. There is no income tax and very low property taxes. There is a consumption tax (sales tax) of 12%. Foreigners are permitted to own land in Ecuador directly or through various domestic and overseas entities, and many have done so happily for many years.
The relatively new 2008 constitution is the first in the world to recognize and provide legal Rights of Nature, or ecosystem rights.
Ecuador is rich in resources, and it exports petroleum, fish, shrimp, timber, and gold. The many farmers of Ecuador grow bananas, flowers, coffee, cacao,sugar, tropical fruits, palm oil, palm hearts, rice, roses, and corn year-round.
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