My wife and I are thinking of retiring to Ecuador. ), 1 (2021 est. A recent remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 635km2 of tidal flats in Ecuador, making it the 41st ranked country in terms of tidal flat area.[4]. Climate in the Galpagos Islands is both moderated by the ocean currents and affected by altitude. Quito is also the capital city closest to the equator. And the largest population of Ecuadorians outside of Ecuador. BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER Thraupis cyanocephala in the Tandayapa Valley of Northwestern ECUADOR. total: 11,467,989 (2020 est. ), production: 0 metric tons (2020 est. The eastern lowlands in the Oriente experience abundant rainfall, especially in the Andean Piedmont, sometimes exceeding 5,000 millimeters (196.9in) per year. Quito and most other populated areas in the Sierra are located at this temperate level. In the Sierra region, the streams and rivers are narrow and flow rapidly over precipitous slopes. )-7.79% (2020 est. The Elevation Maps of the locations in Ecuador are generated using NASA's SRTM data. Ecuador's capital and largest city is Quito, which is in the province of Pichincha in the Sierra region. 283,561km2 (109,484sqmi) is land and 6,720km2 (2,595sqmi) water. Tanager Photo by Peter Wendelken. You have to give credit by linking to this Ecuador Elevation Map page. Situated at an elevation of 9,350ft, it is the world's second highest capital city and the . This phenomenon is particularly significant in the Sierra. The highest mountain peak (Chimborazo) is at 6,267 meters. ), 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est. The city proper must have a population of 175,000 or higher to be on the list. note: data are in current year dollars, United States 22%, China 18%, Colombia 9%, Panama 5% (2019), refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicines, soybean products (2019), $7.912 billion (31 December 2021 est. The city has a population of approximately 1.4 million and, although it serves as an important political, economic and cultural center, it is not the most populous city in Ecuador. PURPLE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD MALE Amazilia rosenbergi Hovering in the Ro Silanche Bird Sanctuary in Northwestern ECUADOR. According to the 2020 population projections, Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural), Last edited on 25 November 2022, at 16:21, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geography_of_Ecuador&oldid=1123773301, This page was last edited on 25 November 2022, at 16:21. ), fossil fuels: 21% of total installed capacity (2020 est. It has 2237km of land boundaries, with Colombia in the north (708km border) and Peru in the east and south (1,529km border). )exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est. Hummingbird Photo by Peter Wendelken. Quito is also known for being the capital city that is closest to the equator. 16m Phnom Penh , Cambodia. Officially, Duran is the name of the canton (county) with Eloy Alfaro as its capital. 2. 16m Malaga , Spain. Here are more Quito facts. The elevation of the places in Ecuador is also provided on the maps. Situated in the foothills of the Andeans at an elevation of 2,850 meters (making it the second-highest capital city in the world after Laz Paz in Bolivia), Ecuador's capital city of Quito is known for its Spanish colonial center, particularly its sixteenth and seventeenth century palaces and religious sites, many of which remain intact today. ), 59 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est. )geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est. The islands have witnessed a large number of tourists and travelers over recent years. June 14, 2022; salem witch trials podcast lore . South Africa even has three). These cities are spread across the country, in many of Ecuadors 24 provinces. Glaciers start at a height of about 5,000 meters (16,500 ft). The provinces are subdivided into a total of 221 cantons. Altitude of city(ies of travel) Altitude information external icon for Ethiopia: 1. ), $29.325 billion (2021 est.) Administrative city: Tena By contrast, climate in the Sierra varies more as a function of altitude. Latitude is measured in degrees (), 180. )female: 4.2% (2020 est. )1 (2020 est. . The northern Ecuadorian Andes are divided into three parallel cordilleras which run in what is similar to an S-shape from north to south: the western, central (Cordillerra Real) and eastern (Cordillera Occidental) cordilleras. Portoviejo was founded on March 12, 1535. Ecuador While the city is known as Duran, it is also known as Eloy Alfaro. note: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350 nm measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago Climate tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Terrain )$182.165 billion (2020 est. Rivers may slow and widen as they cross the hoyas yet become rapid again as they flow from the heights of the Andes to the lower elevations of the other regions. Other ports in Ecuador include Machala, Manta, and Esmeraldas. Most world cities fall into this "nothing special" (elevation-wise) category. )agricultural: 8.076 billion cubic meters (2017 est. )investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2017 est. Quito is Ecuadors political capital and is located high in the Andes mountains. It's located at an elevation of 2,580 meters above sea level, making it number two of the highest capital cities in the world. The Napo ranges in width from 500 to 1,800 meters. It is knowns as the city of the RoyalTamarind Trees. In order to remain free and to keep improving, this site uses cookies created by Google to compile visit statistics and display personalized advertisements. It was originally known as Jocay (meaning Golden Doors) and was a Manta Indian capital in 1200 CE. The cold level above 450 meters (1,476ft) has temperatures below 14C (57.2F). ), total subscriptions: 2,063,044 (2020)subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est. ), urban population: 64.8% of total population (2023)rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. In general, temperatures are around 17C (62.6F). The second-highest capital in the world is Quito which is situated at 2,850 meters / 9,350 ft above sea level. Mestizo (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.). (male 745,170/female 840,761), total dependency ratio: 50.9youth dependency ratio: 39.4elderly dependency ratio: 11.5potential support ratio: 8.7 (2021 est. All of these rivers flow into the Amazon River. Highest town in Venezuela. In Spanish, Guayaquileo/a. Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557. Ecuador is a country located on the northwestern edge of South America. This list of the highest cities in the world includes only cities with a population greater than 100,000 inhabitants and an average height above sea level over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). Ecuador is a country in western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, for which the country is named. ), total petroleum production: 478,000 bbl/day (2021 est. Manta is home to some of the best beaches in Ecuador (El Murcilago, Santa Marianita, and San Lorenzo). The city is a popular tourist attraction, but several tourists traveling from low altitude areas experience altitude sickness upon landing. The Esmeraldas River is 320 kilometers long and has a 20,000-square-kilometer drainage basin. The above blank map represents Ecuador - a country in northwestern South America. Gustavo Thomas 2017) )forest: 38.9% (2018 est. ), total: 11.3% (2020 est. In general, rainfall amounts are highest on exposed locations at lower altitudes. Its second largest city is Guayaquil, in the Guayas Province. note: data are in current year dollars, United States 30%, China 13%, Panama 8%, Chile 7% (2019), crude petroleum, crustaceans, bananas, fish, refined petroleum (2019), $28.567 billion (2021 est.) Running north-south, small coastal mountain rangesthe Colonche, Chindul, and Mache mountainsrise to 2,600 feet (800 metres). I also blog about photography on Storyteller Tech. )0.01% (2019 est. ), degree of risk: high (2020)food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fevervectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria, total: 3.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. )note: excludes oil refining, agriculture: 26.1%industry: 18.4%services: 55.5% (2017 est. Several of the larger islands, however, have freshwater springs. Guayaquil is abeautiful coastal city and is Ecuadors most populated city. Each region has different factors that affect its climate. Almost all of the rivers in Ecuador rise in the Sierra region and flow east toward the Amazon River or west toward the Pacific Ocean. What cities in Ecuador are on your bucket list? But if we are going to compare apple to apples, we should rank these cities by equal measure by constitutional capitals. Santo Domingo de los Colorados is the biggest city in Ecuador by square footage (422 sq mi / 1,093 km2). Heres a half day, kid friendly walking tour that is one of our favorites. )from coal and metallurgical coke: 45,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. Interactive Color Elevation Map Note: Please note that Ecuador Elevation Map is in alpha. Guayaquil is home to the largest and most important port in Ecuador. Base map OpenStreetMap contributors Peru, Colombia. They grow tomatoes, peppers, coffee, bananas, mangos and many other tropical fruits. Key facts about Ecuador. note: data are in current year dollars$19.877 billion (2020 est.) The sixty-kilometer-long Guayas River forms just north of Guayaquil out of the confluence of the Babahoyo and Daule rivers. To help you get a clear picture of the major cities and areas, we put together this guide. )wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est. The largest cities in Equador are Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Machala, Manta, Portoviejo, Duran (Eloy Alfaro), Esmeraldas, and Ambato. The government controls most of the 44 public media, this includes national media and multiple local radio stations. Hi, Im Bryan Haines. NEW! The almost vertical sun and the rarefied air in the higher Sierra region allow the land to warm quickly during the day and lose heat quickly at night. The largest city in Ecuador is Guayaquil, with a population of 1,952,029 people. )the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001, electrification - total population: 97% (2019)electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019), installed generating capacity: 9.354 million kW (2020 est. )tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est. It retains many historical buildings from the Spanish colonial period and its city center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. )expenditures: $38.08 billion (2017 est. The highest point in Ecuador is Mount Chimborazo, at 20,560ft (6,268m); while the lowest point is at the Pacific Ocean. Biggest Cities In Ecuador 1. 22 Sally Lightfoot Crab Facts: Guide to Galapagoss Grapsus grapsus, Ecuador Souvenirs: 16 Best Things to Buy in Ecuador (Food, Art, Textiles). Hi! Temperature is determined by altitude. In marvin demoff attorney julie barer interviewmarvin demoff attorney julie barer interview In this post, youll learn about the largest cities in Ecuador, including details like their population, elevation, attractions, locations and more. What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. ), $10,700 (2021 est. . Ecuador: 3300 10826 Highest town in Ecuador. As you plan your trip (or relocation) to Ecuador, its good to know about the major cities. Hummingbird Photo by Peter Wendelken. The Galpagos Islands have no significant rivers. In addition, the country, continental region, latitude and longitude are shown for all cities listed. ecuador cities by elevation. ), total: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est. Interactive Color Elevation Map, Below you will able to find elevation of major cities/towns/villages in Ecuador along with their elevation maps. )solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est. Cotopaxi in Ecuador is one of the world's highest active volcanos. 50 ft) to 300m (approx. Villa de San Francisco de Quito, or Quito, is Ecuador's capital and second-largest city. Cuenca has 36 parroquias (parishes). ), 16.19 births/1,000 population (2023 est. Ecuador is thus one of the largest countries in the Americas and the 78th biggest in the world. Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru, total: 283,561 sq kmland: 276,841 sq kmwater: 6,720 sq kmnote: includes Galapagos Islands, total: 2,237 kmborder countries (2): Colombia 708 km; Peru 1529 km, territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nmnote: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350 nm measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago, tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands, coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente), highest point: Chimborazo 6,267lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mmean elevation: 1,117 mnote: 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, agricultural land: 29.7% (2018 est. Sometimes that 1000-1500 feet makes all the difference you need. 3. Total number of cities: 31. The most important eastwest road across the Andes is the road from Quito to Lago Agrio, which is paved for most of its length yet is heavily traveled by tractor-trailersand the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline serves as the guardrail for long stretches of this road. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize. It is visited by many international tourists if even for a short time as they pass through its international airport. )from consumed natural gas: 677,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est. According to other sources is, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 02:25. ), 47.3 (2020 est. ), 45.4% of GDP (2017 est. The Elevation Maps of the locations in Ecuador are generated using NASA's SRTM data. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? The city is located in the Portoviejo River Valley, which is an agricultural powerhouse. Cuenca, with its population of 400,000 in the urban area and 700,000 in the wider metropolitan area, is regarded as being Ecuador's most European city. ecuador cities by elevation. Ecuador is bordered by Colombia to the north, by Peru to the south and east, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. By this standard, Quito is the highest (constitutional) capital in the world. )6.11% (2020 est. 3,230 m. according to Google Maps. Categories Ecuador Travel, Living in Ecuador. In addition, of the 956 registered media, 58% are radio and 18% print. Manta is a city built on tuna fishing. Ecuador; Including the Galpagos Islands: Areas at altitudes <1,500 m (4,921 ft) in the provinces of Carchi, Cotopaxi, Esmeraldas, Morona Santiago, Orellana, Pastaza, and Sucumbios. )1 (2018 est. But are not sure about the altitude. )consumption: 26,353,430,000 kWh (2019 est. Name: Ecuador topographic map, elevation, terrain. Ecuador is divided into three continental regionsthe Costa (coast), Sierra (mountains), and Oriente (east)and one insular region, the Galpagos Islands (officially Archipilago de Coln). How many Ecuadorians live in New York? The first country on the main list, Bolivia, is a country with multiple capitals; La Paz is the seat of the government while Sucre is the constitutional capital. Im a traveler and photographer. The Costa Internal, by contrast, is crossed by perennial rivers that may flood during the rainy season, sometimes forming swamps. )municipal solid waste recycled annually: 683,340 tons (2015 est. ), $2.952 billion (2021 est. <p>the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001</p> The 7 Most Picturesque Small Towns In Wisconsin, The 8 Most Picturesque Small Towns In the Adirondack Mountains, The 12 Most Picturesque Small Towns in Tennessee. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. peterbilt sleeper bedding. Above sea level to an altitude of 450 meters (1,476ft), the islands have a mixture of tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. ), municipal solid waste generated annually: 5,297,211 tons (2015 est. Other natural resources include timber and hydropower. OZOMENE ALTINOTE Actinote ozomene, a BUTTERFLY IN THE GRASS, Reserva Las Gralarias near Mindo, Ecuador. Chimborazo emerges from cloud cover - Ecuador, Elevation of Williamsburg Ct, Wilmington, DE, USA, Elevation of S Main St, Union Dale, PA, USA, Elevation of Forest Hill Rd, Lake Forest, IL, USA, Elevation of Newton Rd, Bowling Green, OH, USA, Elevation of 39 Pickering St, Brompton SA, Australia, Elevation of Magnit, Timiriazev St, 30/3, Sochi, Krasnodarskiy kray, Russia, Elevation of Lovers Ln, Fort Myers Beach, FL, USA, Elevation of 7 Maples Dr, Kingwood, TX, USA. )subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 88 (2020 est. These maps also provide topograhical and contour idea in Ecuador. Quito - the national capital and the second most populous city of Ecuador. Elevation map of Ecuador Longitude: -78.183406 Latitude: -1.831239 Elevation: 1394m / 4573feet Barometric Pressure: 86KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: andespanoL1003170 explored Feb 15 Thank you SWALLOW TANAGER Male Tersina viridis Eating Orange Pico Pico Fruit in a Tree in Mindo in Northwestern ECUADOR. Ecuador's population is ethnically diverse and the 2021 estimates put Ecuador's population at 17,797,737. The elevation of the places in Ecuador is also provided on the maps. Ecuador occupies a total area of 283,561 sq.km, which also includes the Galapagos Islands. The pleasant, spring-like temperatures throughout the year are the greatest benefit of Quito's high elevation. )note: data are for urban households only, lowest 10%: 1.4%highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est. The climate in the Sierra is divided into levels based on altitude. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. ecuador cities by elevation. Most rain falls in April. ), general assessment: Ecuador has a small telecom market dominated by the mobile sector; the evolution of the market has been influenced by the poor fixed-line infrastructure, which has stymied the development of fixed-line broadband services; to some extent poor infrastructure has been the result of topographical challenges which have rendered the cost of deploying networks to remote and mountainous areas prohibitive; although Ecuador has several fixed-line operators and a large number of ISPs, the state-owned incumbent leads the fixed-line market, and thus also the fixed broadband market; thus far the MVNO sector has been slow to develop, partly because the incumbent operators also have their low-cost brands and thus there is little business case for new market entrants; the government is keen to advance and improve teledensity; from 2022, additional revenue will be earmarked for programs aimed at expanding the reach of internet and mobile services in rural areas of the country; Ecuador lacks a national 5G roadmap; the mobile operators have conducted several 5G pilots, but no progress has been made on allocation spectrum for 5G, or on developing strategies to encourage investment in the sector (2022)domestic: according to 2021 statistics from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society, 50 percent of Ecuadorian homes do not have access to fixed internet; Ecuadors telecoms regulator is currently evaluating and reorganizing the 3.5GHz, 2.5 GHz, 700 MHz and AWS spectrum for future government tenders; 2G/3G technologies have a 91.11 percent of penetration and 4G technologies has 60.74 percent (2021); fixed-line teledensity is about 12 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of nearly 88 per 100 persons (2021)international: country code - 593; landing points for the SPSC (Mistral Submarine Cable), Panamerican Cable System (PAN-AM), Pacific Caribbean Cable System (PCCS), America Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable and SAm-1 submarine (SAm-1) 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 a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services. Elevation of Ecuador Longitude: -78.395598 Latitude: -0.210691 Elevation: 2350m / 7710feet Barometric Pressure: 76KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: View of Downtown Quito and El Panecillo (Quito, Ecuador. What is thehighest capital city in the world? According to other sources is Zumbahua at 3,510 m. 20 Huancayo Peru: 3259 10659 21 Tarma Peru: 3053 10016 22 Huaraz Peru: 3052 10006 23 Tulcn Ecuador: 2980 9776 24 Andahuaylas Peru: 2926 9599 25 Ipiales Colombia: 2898 9507 26 Quito Ecuador: 2850 9350 27 Tunja Colombia: 2820 9310 28 Ayacucho Peru . The highland rivers broaden as they enter the more level areas of the Costa and the Oriente. )$2.69 billion (2020 est. The elevation of the city's central square is 2,800 m (about 9,186 ft), making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the . NEW!Interactive Color Elevation Map, Note:Please note that Ecuador Elevation Map is in alpha. 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. . The temperate level2,500 to 3,200 meters (8,202 to 10,499ft)- -has a year-round temperature in the range of 10 to 15C (50 to 59F) and an annual rainfall of 1,000 millimeters (39.4in). Instead, climate on the islands follows a pattern more like that of the Sierra than the Costa. Browse by States/Provinces in Ecuador, Check our interactive Flood Map / Elevation Map for Ecuador. The town of Baos de Agua Santa features hot springs swimming pools on the foothills of the Tungurahua in the Central Cordillera. Guayaquil, in full Santiago de Guayaquil, largest city and chief port of Ecuador. It has the 29th largest exclusive economic zone of 1,077,231km2 (415,921sqmi) which includes the Galpagos Islands. The few exceptions are the longer, perennial rivers that flow throughout the Costa Externa from the Costa Internal and the Sierra on their way to the Pacific Ocean. The central belt of Ecuador that includes the Andes Mountains, inland from the coast; with volcanoes and mountain peaks that sport year-round snow on the equator; many areas long since deforested by agriculture; a number of cut-flower growing operations; at a certain altitude, cloud forests may be found. Duran is known as a dormitory town, because many residents travel to other cities and regions for work, returning at night to sleep there. 16m Riga , Latvia. The following is a list of the world's major cities (either capitals, more than one million inhabitants or an elevation of over 1,000 m [3,300 ft]) by elevation. )-0.34% (2020 est. Ecuador is comparatively high at an average elevation of 1117 meters above sea level. (2020) so also sent to the National Assembly a new regulation proposal that is still under discussion. The North and South Poles are at 90N and -90S, respectively. )imports of goods and services: -21.3% (2017 est. The eight summer months experience no precipitation, whereas the winter months of January through April have some fog and drizzle. ), deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands, 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, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements, particulate matter emissions: 14.91 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est. Ecuador Bordering Countries: ), production: 342.407 million cubic meters (2019 est. It has a large sea port and has the nickname Ecuadors First Seaport (Primer Puerto Martimo del Ecuador). Quito, the capital city, is located in a high mountain valley on the foothills of the Pichincha (volcano). The road from Baos to Puyo has long been known for its narrowness, curves and sheer drops (only one lane in some places, on one area, actually cut into the side of a cliff so that the cliff roofs over it). )2.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $2.98 billion)2.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $3.14 billion)2.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.1 billion), approximately 40,000 active military personnel (25,000 Army; 9,000 Navy; 6,000 Air Force) (2022), the military's equipment inventory is mostly older and derived from a wide variety of sources; in recent years, Ecuador has received limited amounts of military equipment from more than 15 countries, including Brazil, China, Russia, and the US (2022), 18 years of age for selective conscript military service, although conscription was suspended in 2008; 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 (2022)note: in 2017, women made up an estimated 3% of the military, border conflicts with Peru dominated the militarys focus until the late 1990s and border security remains a priority, but in more recent years, security challenges have shifted towards counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics operations, particularly in the northern border area where violence and other criminal activity related to terrorism, insurgency, and narco-trafficking in Colombia, as well as refugees from Venezuela, has spilled over the border; troop deployments along the border with Colombia were scaled back following the 2016 signing of a peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist group (see Appendix T), but recent violence associated with FARC dissidents to the agreement have led Ecuador and Colombia to reinforce their shared border; since 2012, the Ecuadorian Government has also expanded the militarys role in general public security and counter-narcotics operations, in part due to rising violence, police corruption, and police ineffectivenessthe military has had a large role in Ecuadors political history; it ruled the country from 1963-1966 and 1972-1979, and supported a dictatorship in 1970-1972; during the 1980s, the military remained loyal to the civilian government, but civilian-military relations were at times tenuous, and the military had considerable autonomy from civilian oversight; it was involved in coup attempts in 2000 and 2010 (2023), the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters of Ecuador as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen; there has been a slight decrease with four attacks reported in 2021 and five in 2020; one ship was boarded while underway and two ships were fired upon, organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, refugees (country of origin): 65,854 (Colombia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2021); 513,900 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2022), Ecuador is a major transit country for illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and chemical precursors to process cocaine from Colombia and Peru; not a major drug producing country, total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030, Children under the age of 5 years underweight, School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education), International law organization participation, Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income, Household income or consumption by percentage share, Civil aircraft registration country code prefix, Military and security service personnel strengths, Military equipment inventories and acquisitions, Refugees and internally displaced persons, Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI). At its mouth, the river forms a broad estuary with two channels around Pun Island, the deeper of which is used for navigation. Cuenca is a small, clean city located in the southern portion of Ecuador. Santo Domingo is a city (and province) located west of Quito, in northern Ecuador. The Pastaza is formed by the confluence of the Chambo and the Patate rivers, both of which rise in the Sierra.