: 28.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.21 years
male: 73.35 years
female: 79.22 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:
2.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,700 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian

Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish
and others 7%, black 3%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Languages:
Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5%
male: 94%
female: 91% (2003 est.)

Government Ecuador

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador

Government type:
republic

Capital:
Quito

Administrative divisions:
22 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, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Independence:
24 May 1822 (from Spain)

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

Constitution:
10 August 1998

Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages
18-65, optional for other eligible voters

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005);
Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; former President Lucio GUTIERREZ was removed from office
by congress effective 20 April 2005
head of government: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005);
Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same
ticket by popu