Read about Ecuador's history from the pre-colonial period until the present

 

Ecuador's unique natural environment has been the root of many conflicts, especially over oil and other natural resources in the Amazon Basin

 

Ecuador has a large population of indigenous peoples, comprising approximately 40% of its total population

 

Plan Colombia has had an enormous impact on Ecuador in the form of increased terrorism and drug trafficking around the northern border

 

Ecuador's relationship with the United States and global trade organizations has made it vulnerable to unfair trade agreements, but there are also many alternative fair trade initiatives sprouting up all over the country