Ecuador 2006
In 2006, Ecuador was a small country located in South America. According to constructmaterials, it is bordered by Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east. The population of Ecuador in 2006 was estimated to be around 13 million people, with the majority of its citizens being of mixed Amerindian and Spanish descent. Spanish is the official language, however many indigenous languages are also spoken. The main religion is Roman Catholicism, but there is also a strong presence of Evangelical Protestantism in some areas.
At this time, Ecuador had been a democratic republic since 1979 after decades of military rule and political instability. Despite this, poverty levels remained high and inequality was widespread throughout the country. In 2006, Ecuador’s economy was largely dependent on its exports of oil, bananas, shrimp and other agricultural products. There were some efforts to diversify its economy by encouraging foreign investment in tourism and manufacturing but with limited success. The healthcare system was also inadequate with poor access to basic medical care for much of the population as well as high rates of infant mortality and malnutrition.
Yearbook 2006
Ecuador. In the second round of the presidential election on November 26, leftist Rafael Correa for Alianza País won a convincing victory over Álvaro Noboa of the Partido Renovador Institucional Acción Nacional (PRIAN) with close to 60% of the vote. Of the eligible voters, 76% took part in the election, which was considered high. According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Ecuador include Independence Day (May 24) and New Year (January 1). The multi-millionaire Noboa, Ecuador’s richest man and lost a presidential election for the third time in a row, represented to most voters the old corrupt system, while Correa was considered a innovator. Among other things, Correa has promised to convene a Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution and not follow President Alfredo Palacio González’s plans for a free trade agreement with the United States, a project that caused strikes, roadblocks and violent public protests in March and April. However, Correa is expected to have problems with the legislative process in Congress because his party did not run in the congressional elections, which were held at the same time as the first round of the presidential election on October 15. There, Noboa’s PRIAN became the largest party with 28 seats. Correa’s potential support parties in Congress, including the ousted President Lúcio Gutiérrez Borbuas PSP (Partido Sociedad Patriótica) represents 38 seats. The Indian movement Conai’s political branch Pachakutik, which also belongs, made a surprisingly poor presidential election. Its candidate Luis Macas received only 2% of the vote.
During the year, a large political deal revolved around the oil company Occidental Petroleum, which violated certain conditions in the contract with the state. Ecuador’s State Prosecutor José María Borja therefore, with the support of Native American organizations and local governments in the provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos in the Amazon region, wanted to revoke the agreement. The battle flared up when Borja changed his mind and instead wanted to renegotiate Occidental’s terms, which led to Conaie threatening the rebellion.
Ecuador faces a deep dilemma between the interests of the indigenous population and the environment on the one hand, and the interests of the economy on the other. In 2013, the government announced it would set $ 3 million. hectares of rainforest in the Amazon at auction for Chinese oil companies. The move was sharply criticized by the indigenous people and especially the Shuar people’s leader, Narcisa Mashienta, who accused the government of having lied about its promise to involve the indigenous people. In response, Correa Yasuní-ITT launched the initiative. It should be a creative solution to oil extraction from the Ishpingo-Tiputini-Tambococha (ITT) oil fields in Yasuní National Park. The solution was to consist of financial support from abroad, in return for the oil remaining underground. In August 2013, Correa abandoned the initiative and authorized oil drilling,
Despite the conflicts over oil production, Correa remained incredibly popular, with 70-80% of the population behind it in the polls.
In March 2015, the Hague International Court issued a ruling supporting an order from a 2011 Ecuadorian court awarding damages to the indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon due to environmental damage caused by the North American oil company Chevron. The order stated that despite an earlier agreement between Chevron and the indigenous peoples, they could still seek further compensation. In a parallel case, the ICC issued a ruling in March in which the court acknowledged that it did not have jurisdiction to address a complaint by the indigenous people against Chevron’s chief executive.
The country was hit hard by falling oil prices on the world market. The government therefore cut 4% in the state budget for 2015. In March, it also notified a number of bills to get more tax revenue by taxing the wealthiest. The inheritance tax was to be increased up to 77.5% and real estate value added tax was to be taxed by 75% on sale. It triggered June-August demonstrations organized by the bourgeoisie facing the government. In June, the government also made 15 amendments to the constitution, which would mean that the president could be re-elected endlessly and that the military could be subject to social unrest. These changes also sparked protests. Demonstrations of the opposition and the bourgeoisie triggered similar demonstrations by Correa’s supporters.
In September, the National Communications Secretariat threatened to close the human rights organization Fundamedios. There was apparently a retaliation for the organization protesting against restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. At the end of the month, the Secretariat “gave” a final warning that Fundamedios should “cease to act politically and spread baseless rumors aimed at damaging Ecuador’s reputation.”
Ecuador Overview
Ecuador is known for its diverse experiences, including some of the most significant travel destinations in the region. The Galapagos Islands, the snow peaks of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the jungles of the Amazon region can all be found at a convenient distance.
In Ecuador, the original culture, natural wonders and colonial architecture of the Andean region combine with the stunning beaches and unique nature of the Galapagos.
- According to abbreviationfinder, EC is the abbreviation code for Ecuador.
The distances are shorter than the neighboring countries and the tourist services are of high quality. If time is limited and you want to experience all the elements of the Andean region at once, you can warmly recommend Ecuador as a destination.
Ecuador can also be easily explored by mountain biking, kayaking, surfing or diving.
Ecuador is a slightly smaller country than Finland, which, as its name implies, is located at the equator. The western and eastern mainstream of the Andes divide the country into three main regions; To the Pacific coast, the plateau between the mountain ranges and the almost unspoilt rainforest basin. Ecuador also includes the volcanic Galapagos Islands. Due to the distinct status of the islands, plant and animal species are the most special on earth. Many of the native species of the islands were also of interest to Charles Darwin, and the expedition to the islands influenced his understanding of the evolution of species.
Ecuador is South America at its most diverse; snow-capped volcanoes, lush rubber forests and Native American tribes cultivating the slopes of the Andes.
Area: 283,520 km²
Population: 16,904,867 (estimate 7/2020)
Capital: Quito
Population: 40% mestizos, 40% Indians, 15% Spaniards, 2% blacks
Language: Spanish, Quechua (Quechua), Quichua and other Native American languages
Main products: Oil, bananas, shrimps, fish, coffee, textiles, metal industry, paper production, wood production, chemicals, plastic
Form of government: Republic
