21 May 2013 Last updated at 05:59 ET

Ecuador profile

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The Chimborazo volcano, located along the equatorial bulge, puts its summit at the furthest point from the centre of the earth

• Full name: Republic of Ecuador
• Population: 14.8 million (UN, 2012)
• Capital: Quito
• Area: 272,045 sq km (105,037 sq miles)
• Major languages: Spanish, indigenous languages
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 73 years (men), 79 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 US dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish
• GNI per capita: US $4,200 (World Bank, 2011)
• Internet domain: .ec
• International dialling code: +593