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Ecuador vs. Colombia

Introduction

EcuadorColombia
BackgroundWhat is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected presidents. In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence. General elections were held in April 2021, and voters elected Guillermo LASSO president; he will take office on 24 May 2021.

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006, and the AUC as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, illegal armed groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to expand its presence into every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Geography

EcuadorColombia
LocationWestern South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and PeruNorthern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates2 00 S, 77 30 W4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map referencesSouth AmericaSouth America
Areatotal: 283,561 sq km

land: 276,841 sq km

water: 6,720 sq km

note: includes Galapagos Islands
total: 1,138,910 sq km

land: 1,038,700 sq km

water: 100,210 sq km

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Nevadaslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundariestotal: 2,237 km

border countries (2): Colombia 708 km, Peru 1529 km
total: 6,672 km

border countries (5): Brazil 1790 km, Ecuador 708 km, Panama 339 km, Peru 1494 km, Venezuela 2341 km
Coastline2,237 km3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

note: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350 nm measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climatetropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlandstropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terraincoastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
Elevation extremeshighest point: Chimborazo 6,267

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,117 m

note: because the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet farthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea level
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 593 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, fish, timber, hydropowerpetroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Land useagricultural land: 29.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 5.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 19.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 38.9% (2018 est.)

other: 31.4% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 37.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 54.4% (2018 est.)

other: 8.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land15,000 sq km (2012)10,900 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards

frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts

volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (5,230 m), which erupted in 2010, is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina (1,476 m), a shield volcano that last erupted in 2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Environment - current issuesdeforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islandsdeforestation resulting from timber exploitation in the jungles of the Amazon and the region of Chocó; illicit drug crops grown by peasants in the national parks; soil erosion; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - notenote 1: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

note 2: genetic research indicates that the cherry-sized tomato originated in Ecuador without any human domestication; later domestication in Mexico transformed the plant into the large modern tomato; archeological research indicates that the cacao tree, whose seeds are used to make chocolate and which was long thought to have originated in Mesoamerica, was first domesticated in the upper Amazon region of northwest South America - present-day Ecuador - about 3,300 B.C.
only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
Total renewable water resources442.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)2.36 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionnearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populatedthe majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated

Demographics

EcuadorColombia
Population17,093,159 (July 2021 est.)50,355,650 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 25.82% (male 2,226,240/female 2,138,219)

15-24 years: 17.8% (male 1,531,545/female 1,478,222)

25-54 years: 40.31% (male 3,333,650/female 3,480,262)

55-64 years: 7.92% (male 647,718/female 691,759)

65 years and over: 8.15% (male 648,761/female 728,491) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 23.27% (male 5,853,351/female 5,567,196)

15-24 years: 16.38% (male 4,098,421/female 3,939,870)

25-54 years: 42.04% (male 10,270,516/female 10,365,423)

55-64 years: 9.93% (male 2,307,705/female 2,566,173)

65 years and over: 8.39% (male 1,725,461/female 2,390,725) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 28.8 years

male: 28 years

female: 29.6 years (2020 est.)
total: 31.2 years

male: 30.2 years

female: 32.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.16% (2021 est.)1.04% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.71 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)16.51 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.15 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 18.55 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.18 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 77.76 years

male: 74.8 years

female: 80.87 years (2021 est.)
total population: 76.91 years

male: 73.77 years

female: 80.23 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.07 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.14 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.3% (2020 est.)0.4% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Ecuadorian(s)

adjective: Ecuadorian
noun: Colombian(s)

adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groupsMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, White 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, Mulatto 1.9%, Black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.)Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Amerindian 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS45,000 (2020 est.)180,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsRoman Catholic 74%, Evangelical 10.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.4% (includes Mormon, Buddhist, Jewish, Spiritualist, Muslim, Hindu, indigenous, African American, Pentecostal), atheist 7.9%, agnostic 0.1% (2012 est.)

note: data represent persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities
Roman Catholic 79%, Protestant 14% (includes Pentecostal 6%, mainline Protestant 2%, other 6%), other 2%, unspecified 5% (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)3,000 (2020 est.)
LanguagesSpanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2%; note - (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish (official)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.8%

male: 93.8%

female: 92.1% (2017)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.1%

male: 94.9%

female: 95.3% (2018)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Colombia; as of 19 July 2021, Columbia has reported a total of 4,639,466   cases of COVID-19 or 9117.93 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 228.58 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 18 July 2021, 29.64% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 15 years

male: 15 years

female: 16 years (2015)
total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2018)
Education expenditures5% of GDP (2015)4.5% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 64.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 81.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 83.5% of population

total: 94% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 16.2% of population

total: 6% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 86.4% of population

total: 97.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 13.6% of population

total: 2.7% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 91.9% of population

total: 97.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 8.1% of population

total: 2.1% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 80.1% of population

total: 94.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 19.9% of population

total: 5.3% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population3.043 million Guayaquil, 1.901 million QUITO (capital) (2021)11.167 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.034 million Medellin, 2.810 million Cali, 2.299 million Barranquilla, 1.349 million Bucaramanga, 1.071 million Cartagena (2021)
Maternal mortality rate59 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)83 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight5.2% (2018/19)3.7% (2015/16)
Health expenditures8.1% (2018)7.6% (2018)
Physicians density2.04 physicians/1,000 population (2016)2.19 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density1.4 beds/1,000 population (2016)1.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate19.9% (2016)22.3% (2016)
Demographic profile

Ecuador's high poverty and income inequality most affect indigenous, mixed race, and rural populations. The government has increased its social spending to ameliorate these problems, but critics question the efficiency and implementation of its national development plan. Nevertheless, the conditional cash transfer program, which requires participants' children to attend school and have medical check-ups, has helped improve educational attainment and healthcare among poor children. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize.

An estimated 2 to 3 million Ecuadorians live abroad, but increased unemployment in key receiving countries - Spain, the United States, and Italy - is slowing emigration and increasing the likelihood of returnees to Ecuador. The first large-scale emigration of Ecuadorians occurred between 1980 and 2000, when an economic crisis drove Ecuadorians from southern provinces to New York City, where they had trade contacts. A second, nationwide wave of emigration in the late 1990s was caused by another economic downturn, political instability, and a currency crisis. Spain was the logical destination because of its shared language and the wide availability of low-skilled, informal jobs at a time when increased border surveillance made illegal migration to the US difficult. Ecuador has a small but growing immigrant population and is Latin America's top recipient of refugees; 98% are neighboring Colombians fleeing violence in their country.

Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.

Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain's ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela's political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.

Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government's December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades-although the number is likely to be much higher-including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.

Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada.

Contraceptive prevalence rate80.1% (2007/12)81% (2015/16)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 53.8

youth dependency ratio: 42.1

elderly dependency ratio: 11.7

potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 45.4

youth dependency ratio: 32.3

elderly dependency ratio: 13.2

potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.)

Government

EcuadorColombia
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form: Ecuador

local long form: Republica del Ecuador

local short form: Ecuador

etymology: the country's position on the globe, straddling the Equator, accounts for its Spanish name
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia

conventional short form: Colombia

local long form: Republica de Colombia

local short form: Colombia

etymology: the country is named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Quito

geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

note: Ecuador has two time zones, including the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6)

etymology:
named after the Quitus, a Pre-Columbian indigenous people credited with founding the city
name: Bogota

geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: originally referred to as "Bacata," meaning "enclosure outside of the farm fields," by the indigenous Muisca
Administrative divisions24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence24 May 1822 (from Spain)20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holidayIndependence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitutionhistory: many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic through a referendum, by public petition of at least 1% of registered voters, or by agreement of at least one-third membership of the National Assembly; passage requires two separate readings a year apart and approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, and approval by absolute majority in a referendum; amendments such as changes to the structure of the state, constraints on personal rights and guarantees, or constitutional amendment procedures are not allowed; amended 2011, 2015, 2018
history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991

amendments: proposed by the government, by Congress, by a constituent assembly, or by public petition; passage requires a majority vote by Congress in each of two consecutive sessions; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on citizen rights, guarantees, and duties also require approval in a referendum by over one half of voters and participation of over one fourth of citizens registered to vote; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal systemcivil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications; traditional law in indigenous communitiescivil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
Suffrage18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, voluntary18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (since 24 May 2021); Vice President Alfredo Enrique BORRERO Vega (since 24 May 2021); the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (since 24 May 2021); Vice President Alfredo Enrique BORRERO Vega (since 24 May 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 February 2021 with a runoff on 11 April 2021 (next to be held in February 2025)

election results:
2021: Guillermo LASSO Mendoza elected president; first round election results: percent of vote - Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 32.72%, Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 19.74%, Yaku PEREZ Guartambel (MUPP) 19.38%, Xavier HERVAS Mora (Independent) 15.68%, other 12.48%; second round election results: percent of vote - Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 52.5%, Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 47.5%

2017: Lenin MORENO Garces elected president in second round; percent of vote - Lenin MORENO Garces (Alianza PAIS Movement) 51.1%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 48.9%
chief of state: President Ivan DUQUE Marquez (since 7 August 2018); Vice President Marta Lucia RAMIREZ Blanco (since 7 August 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Ivan DUQUE Marquez (since 7 August 2018); Vice President Marta Lucia RAMIREZ Blanco (since 7 August 2018)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 27 May 2018 with a runoff held on 17 June 2018 (next to be held in 2022); note - political reform in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection

election results: 2018: Ivan DUQUE Marquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Ivan DUQUE Marquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo PETRO (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2%

2014: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (U Party) 51.0%, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA (CD) 45.0%, other 4.0%
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next to be held in February 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - UNES 32.21%, MUPP 16.81%, ID 11.98%, PSC 9.73%, CREO 9.65%, MC-PSE 3.76%, other 15.86%; seats by party - UNES 49, MUPP 27, ID 18, PSC 18, CREO 12, MC-PSE 2, independents 3, other 8; composition - men 85, women 52, percent of women 38%; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties
description: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of:
Senate or Senado (108 seats; 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for indigenous communities, 5 members of the People's Alternative Revolutionary Force (FARC) political party for the 2018 and 2022 elections only as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms)
Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (172 seats; 165 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, 5 members of the FARC for the 2018 and 2022 elections only as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up vice presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms)

elections:  
Senate - last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2022)
Chamber of Representatives - last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2022)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CD 19, CR 16, PC 15, PL 14, U Party 14, Green Alliance 10, PDA 5, other 9; composition - men 77, women 31, percent of women 28.7%
Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 35, CD 32, CR 30, U Party 25, PC 21, Green Alliance 9, other 13; composition - men 147, women 25, percent of women 14.5%; total Congress percent of women 20%
Judicial branchhighest courts: National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (consists of 21 judges, including the chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office: justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the executive, legislative, and Citizen Participation branches of government; judges appointed for 9-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years

subordinate courts: Fiscal Tribunal; Election Dispute Settlement Courts, provincial courts (one for each province); cantonal courts
highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 judges); Superior Judiciary Council (consists of 13 magistrates)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Court members from candidates submitted by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Constitutional Court magistrates - nominated by the president, by the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Council of State members appointed by the State Council plenary from lists nominated by the Superior Judiciary Council

subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts
Political parties and leadersAlianza PAIS movement [Lenin Voltaire MORENO Garces]
Avanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ]
Central Democratic Movement or CD [Jimmy JAIRALA]
Citizen Revolution Movement or MRC [Rafael CORREA]
Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO]
Democratic Left or ID
Forward Ecuador Movement [Alvaro NOBOA]
Fuerza Ecuador [Abdala BUCARAM] (successor to Roldosist Party)
Honesty Alliance or MC-PSE (alliance including Concertation Movement or MC and Socialist Party of Ecuador or PSE)
Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Marlon Rene SANTI Gualinga]
Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Gilmar GUTIERREZ Borbua]
Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS]
Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]
Socialist Party [Patricio ZABRANO]
Society United for More Action or SUMA [Mauricio RODAS]
Union of Hope or UNES (coalition of left-leaning parties)
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Jorge Enrique ROBLEDO]
Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN)
Conservative Party or PC [Hernan ANDRADE]
Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez]
Green Alliance [Claudia LOPEZ Hernandez]
Humane Colombia [Gustavo PETRO]
Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA]
People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry]
Radical Change or CR [Rodrigo LARA Restrepo]
Social National Unity Party or U Party [Roy BARRERAS]

note: Colombia has numerous smaller political movements
International organization participationCAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOBCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne Leila Juez De A-BAKI (since 6 February 2020)

chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200

FAX: [1] (202) 333-2893

email address and website:
embassy@ecuador.org

http://www.ecuador.org/

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco SANTOS Calderon (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338

FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643

email address and website:
eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.co

https://www.colombiaemb.org/

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. FITZPATRICK (since 3 July 2019)

embassy: E12-170 Avenida Avigiras y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito

mailing address: 3420 Quito Place, Washington DC  20521-3420

telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000

email address and website:
ACSQuito@state.gov

https://ec.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 19 September 2019)

embassy: Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota

mailing address: 3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC  20521-3030

telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000

FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600

email address and website:
ACSBogota@state.gov

https://co.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice

note: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity

note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
National anthemname: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)

lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE

note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung
name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI

note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdictionhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, redAndean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

EcuadorColombia
Economy - overview

Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which accounted for about a third of the country's export earnings in 2017. Remittances from overseas Ecuadorian are also important.

In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis that lead to some reforms, including adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in most of the years that followed. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7% of the Ecuador's bilateral debt. Various economic policies under the CORREA administration, such as an announcement in 2017 that Ecuador would terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties - including one with the US, generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment.

Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges from 5% to 45% on an estimated 32% of imports. Ecuador's economy fell into recession in 2015 and remained in recession in 2016. Declining oil prices and exports forced the CORREA administration to cut government oulays. Foreign investment in Ecuador is low as a result of the unstable regulatory environment and weak rule of law.

n April of 2017, Lenin MORENO was elected President of Ecuador by popular vote. His immediate challenge was to reengage the private sector to improve cash flow in the country. Ecuador's economy returned to positive, but sluggish, growth. In early 2018, the MORENO administration held a public referendum on seven economic and political issues in a move counter to CORREA-administration policies, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and revive employment and the economy. The referendum resulted in repeal of taxes associated with recovery from the earthquake of 2016, reduced restrictions on metal mining in the Yasuni Intangible Zone - a protected area, and several political reforms.

Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America's fourth largest oil producer and the world's fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia's economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs).

Colombia's economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia's sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia's FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017.

Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance-a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$197.631 billion (2019 est.)

$197.525 billion (2018 est.)

$195.01 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$741.099 billion (2019 est.)

$717.7 billion (2018 est.)

$700.091 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate0.06% (2019 est.)

1.29% (2018 est.)

2.37% (2017 est.)
3.26% (2019 est.)

2.51% (2018 est.)

1.36% (2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$11,375 (2019 est.)

$11,562 (2018 est.)

$11,618 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$14,722 (2019 est.)

$14,452 (2018 est.)

$14,314 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 6.7% (2017 est.)

industry: 32.9% (2017 est.)

services: 60.4% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 7.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 30.8% (2017 est.)

services: 62.1% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line25% (2019 est.)35.7% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est.)

note: data are for urban households only
lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.2% (2019 est.)

-0.2% (2018 est.)

0.4% (2017 est.)
3.5% (2019 est.)

3.2% (2018 est.)

4.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force8.086 million (2017 est.)19.309 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 26.1%

industry: 18.4%

services: 55.5% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 17%

industry: 21%

services: 62% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate5.71% (2019 est.)

5.26% (2018 est.)
10.5% (2019 est.)

9.68% (2018 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index45.4 (2018 est.)

48.5 (December 2017)

note: data are for urban households only
50.4 (2018 est.)

53.5 (2014)
Budgetrevenues: 33.43 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 38.08 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 83.35 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 91.73 billion (2017 est.)
Industriespetroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicalstextiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate-0.6% (2017 est.)

note: excludes oil refining
-2.2% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssugar cane, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, poultry, cocoa, potatoessugar cane, milk, oil palm fruit, potatoes, rice, bananas, cassava leaves, plantains, poultry, maize
Exports$25.446 billion (2019 est.)

$24.183 billion (2018 est.)

$23.907 billion (2017 est.)
$61.697 billion (2019 est.)

$60.151 billion (2018 est.)

$59.644 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiescrude petroleum, crustaceans, bananas, fish, refined petroleum (2019)crude petroleum, coal, refined petroleum, coffee, gold (2019)
Exports - partnersUnited States 30%, China 13%, Panama 8%, Chile 7% (2019)United States 31%, China 11%, Panama 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019)
Imports$26.096 billion (2019 est.)

$25.677 billion (2018 est.)

$24.594 billion (2017 est.)
$87.072 billion (2019 est.)

$80.546 billion (2018 est.)

$76.136 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicines, soybean products (2019)refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, corn (2019)
Imports - partnersUnited States 22%, China 18%, Colombia 9%, Panama 5% (2019)United States 27%, China 20%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6% (2019)
Debt - external$50.667 billion (2019 est.)

$43.224 billion (2018 est.)
$135.644 billion (2019 est.)

$128.238 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates25,000 (2020 est.)

25,000 (2019 est.)

25,000 (2018 est.)

the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -

3,457.93 (2020 est.)

3,416.5 (2019 est.)

3,147.43 (2018 est.)

2,001 (2014 est.)

2,001.1 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt45.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

43.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
49.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

49.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.395 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.259 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$47.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$46.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$53 million (2019 est.)

-$1.328 billion (2018 est.)
-$13.748 billion (2019 est.)

-$13.118 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$107.436 billion (2019 est.)$323.255 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: B- (2020)

Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020)
Fitch rating: BBB- (2020)

Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2017)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 57.7 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 69.1 (2020)

Trading score: 71.2 (2020)

Enforcement score: 57.5 (2020)
Overall score: 70.1 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 87 (2020)

Trading score: 62.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 34.3 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues32% (of GDP) (2017 est.)26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 8.8%

male: 6.9%

female: 12% (2019 est.)
total: 20%

male: 15.9%

female: 25.4% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 60.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -21.3% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 68.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 14.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -19.7% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving24.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

25.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

25.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
15.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

16.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

16.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

EcuadorColombia
Electricity - production26.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)74.92 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption22.68 billion kWh (2016 est.)68.25 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports211 million kWh (2015 est.)460 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports82 million kWh (2016 est.)378 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production517,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)863,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports383,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)726,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves8.273 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)1.665 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves10.9 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)113.9 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production477.8 million cu m (2017 est.)10.02 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption453.1 million cu m (2017 est.)10.08 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)48.14 million cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity8.192 million kW (2016 est.)16.89 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels43% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)29% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants54% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)69% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production137,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)303,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption265,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)333,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports25,870 bbl/day (2015 est.)56,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports153,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)57,170 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 97% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019)
electrification - total population: 97% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019)

Telecommunications

EcuadorColombia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 2,195,840

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.15 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 7,012,306

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14.23 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 15,853,100

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94.97 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 66,283,175

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.47 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.ec.co
Internet userstotal: 9,448,692

percent of population: 57.27% (July 2018 est.)
total: 29,990,017

percent of population: 62.26% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: Ecuador's remote and mountainous geography lends challenges to tele-density; government-owned provider to improve fixed-line and LTE infrastructure, with emphasis on fiber expansion from urban to rural areas and installation of a 5G network; small telecom market dominated by the non-competitive mobile sector; inadequate fixed-line infrastructure and slowed fixed-line broadband services (2021) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line services with digital networks provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 13 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership has reached 91 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 593; landing points for the PAN-AM, PCCS, America Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable and SAm-1 submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, and extending onward to the Caribbean and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

Colombia's telecom infrastructure has improved through a government program of competition to upgrade services based on LTE and 5G, focusing on infrastructure in small urban centers and rural areas; national ICT Plan increased broadband and fiber connectivity; operators testing 5G and completed 20k terrestrial cable connecting 80% of the country; benefit due to access to commercial submarine cable (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 132 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed-line services; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations (2019)

international: country code - 57; landing points for the SAC, Maya-1, SAIT, ACROS, AMX-1, CFX-1, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, Globe Net, PAN-AM, SAm-1 submarine cable systems providing links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 2,092,458

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.53 (2019 est.)
total: 6,949,852

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14.1 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediaabout 60 media outlets are recognized as national; the Ecuadorian Government controls 12 national outlets and multiple radio stations; there are multiple TV networks and many local channels, as well as more than 300 radio stations; many TV and radio stations are privately owned; broadcast media is required by law to give the government free airtime to broadcast programs produced by the state; the Ecuadorian Government is the biggest advertiser and grants advertising contracts to outlets that provide favorable coverage; an antimonopoly law and communication law limit ownership and investment in the media by non-media businesses (2019)combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019)

Transportation

EcuadorColombia
Railwaystotal: 965 km (2017)

narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2017)

note: passenger service limited to certain sections of track, mostly for tourist trains
total: 2,141 km (2015)

standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (2015)

narrow gauge: 1,991 km 0.914-m gauge (2015)
Roadwaystotal: 43,216 km (2015)

paved: 8,161 km (2015)

unpaved: 35,055 km (2015)
total: 206,500 km (2016)
Waterways1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012)24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012)
Pipelines485 km extra heavy crude, 123 km gas, 2131 km oil, 1526 km refined products (2017)4991 km gas, 6796 km oil, 3429 km refined products (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

container port(s) (TEUs): Guayaquil (1,680,751) (2019)

river port(s): Guayaquil (Guayas)
major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo
Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura

oil terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal

container port(s) (TEUs): Buenaventura (1,121,267), Cartagena (2,995,031) (2019)

river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena)

dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal)

Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura
Merchant marinetotal: 147

by type: container ship 1, general cargo 7, oil tanker 29, other 110 (2020)
total: 120

by type: general cargo 22, oil tanker 8, other 90 (2020)
Airportstotal: 432 (2013)total: 836 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 104 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 4 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 26 (2017)

under 914 m: 51 (2017)
total: 121 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 53 (2017)

under 914 m: 18 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 328 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 37 (2013)

under 914 m: 291 (2013)
total: 715 (2013)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 201 (2013)

under 914 m: 488 (2013)
Heliports2 (2013)3 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 7 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 35

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,365,261 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 64.2 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 157

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,704,037 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,349,450,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixHCHJ, HK

Military

EcuadorColombia
Military branchesEcuadorian Armed Forces: the Ecuadorian Army (El Ejército Ecuatoriano), Ecuadorian Navy (Fuerza Naval del Ecuador, FNE, includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE); Ministry of Interior: National Police (Policía Nacional del Ecuador) (2021)Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC; includes Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC); Colombian National Police (civilian force that is part of the Ministry of Defense) (2021)
Military service age and obligation18 years of age for selective conscript military service; conscription has been suspended; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Ecuadorian birth requirement; 1-year service obligation; females have been allowed to serve in all branches since 2012 (2019)18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP2.3% of GDP (2019)

2.4% of GDP (2018)

2.4% of GDP (2017)

2.5% of GDP (2016)

2.6% of GDP (2015)
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

3.2% of GDP (2019)

3.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

3.2% of GDP (2017)

3.1% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Ecuadorian Armed Forces have approximately 40,000 active personnel (25,000 Army; 9,000 Navy; 6,000 Air Force) (2021)the Military Forces of Colombia (FMC) have approximately 295,000 total active troops (235,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including about 22,000 marines; 14,000 Air Force); approximately 185,000 Colombian National Police (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe military's equipment inventory is mostly older and derived from a wide variety of sources; since 2010, Ecuador has received limited amounts of military equipment from more than 15 countries with Brazil, South Africa, and Spain as the leading suppliers (2020)the Colombian military inventory includes a wide mix of equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Canada, Europe, Israel, South Korea, and the US; Germany, Israel, and the US are the leading suppliers of military hardware since 2010; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2020)

Transnational Issues

EcuadorColombia
Disputes - international

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border

in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Illicit drugssignificant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgentsillicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 188,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2016, a 18% increase over 2015, producing a potential of 710 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2016, the Colombian government reported manual eradication of 17,642 hectares; Colombia suspended aerial eradication in October 2015 making 2016 the first full year without aerial eradication; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; Colombia probably remains the second largest supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation was estimated to be 1,100 hectares in 2015, sufficient to potentially produce three metric tons of pure heroin
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 451,093 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay), 65,854 (Colombia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2021)refugees (country of origin): 1,742,927 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)

IDPs: 8,137,396 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985; about 300,000 new IDPs each year since 2000) (2021)

stateless persons: 11 (2020)

Environment

EcuadorColombia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 14.91 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 41.15 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 23.51 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 15.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 97.81 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 81.52 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 1.293 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 549 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 8.076 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 3.49 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 3.73 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 6.391 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.75% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,297,211 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 683,340 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.9% (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,150,120 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,089,821 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.2% (2013 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook