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_*_People
_#_Population: 10,751,648 (July 1991), growth rate 2.3% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 30 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 68 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Ecuadorian(s); adjective--Ecuadorian

_#_Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian
25%, Spanish 10%, black 10%

_#_Religion: Roman Catholic 95%

_#_Language: Spanish (official); Indian languages, especially Quechua

_#_Literacy: 86% (male 88%, female 84%) age 15 and over can
read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 2,800,000; agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%,
commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982)

_#_Organized labor: less than 15% of labor force

_*_Government
_#_Long-form name: Republic of Ecuador

_#_Type: 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; Battle of Pichincha)

_#_Constitution: 10 August 1979

_#_Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809, independence
of Quito)

_#_Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso
Nacional)

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government--President Rodrigo BORJA
Cevallos (since 10 August 1988); Vice President Luis PARODI Valverde
(since 10 August 1988)

_#_Political parties and leaders:

Right to center parties--
Social Christian Party (PSC), former President Leon FEBRES Cordero
Rivadeneira;
Conservative Party (PC), Alberto DAHIK, leader;
Radical Liberal Party (PLR), Blasco Manuel PENAHERRERA Padilla,
director;

Centrist parties--
Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Averroes BUCARAM Saxida, director;
Radical Alfarist Front (FRA), Cecilia CALDERON de Castro, leader;
Peo