male: 68.49 years
female: 73.82 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian

Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian
25%, Spanish 10%, black 10%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%

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

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.1%
male: 92%
female: 88.2%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador

Data code: EC

Type of government: republic

Capital: Quito

Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El
Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios,
Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,
Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)

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

Constitution: 10 August 1979

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 and head of government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN
Cordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Eduardo PENA Trivino
(since 18 October 1995); president and vice president were elected
for four-year terms by universal suffrage; runoff election held 5
July 1992; results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president (next
election was held 19 May 1996; no presidential candidate received
more than 50% of the vote; a runoff election between BUCARAM and
NEBOT will be held on 7 July 1996); note - former Vice President
DAHIK resigned 11 October 1995 and left the country to escape arrest
on corruption charges; National Congress chose PENA as his successor
in accordance with the constitution
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held 19 May
1996; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PSC
27, PRE 21, DP 10, Pachakutik Movement 7, ID 5, PLRE 3, MPD 2,