Ecuador Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Economy== {{Main|Economy of Ecuador}} [[File:GDP per capita development of Ecuador.svg|thumb|GDP per capita development of Ecuador]] Ecuador has a [[developing economy]] that is highly dependent on commodities, namely petroleum and agricultural products. The country is classified as an upper-middle-income country. Ecuador's economy is the eighth largest in Latin America and experienced an average growth of 4.6% between 2000 and 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/|title=Yahoo! Noticias España – Los titulares de hoy|work=Yahoo Noticias España|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908010451/https://es.noticias.yahoo.com/|archive-date=8 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=July 2019}} From 2007 to 2012, Ecuador's GDP grew at an annual average of 4.3 percent, above the average for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was 3.5%, according to the United Nations' Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC).<ref>[http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=MjIxMjc3 Ecuador GDP Grew 4.3 Percent Average Per Year From 2007 to 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129031542/http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=MjIxMjc3 |date=29 November 2014 }}. NAM News Network (NNN) (14 February 2013). Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref> Ecuador was able to maintain relatively superior growth during the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008|crisis]]. In January 2009, the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) put the 2010 growth forecast at 6.88%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soitu.es/soitu/2009/01/16/info/1232133437_646823.html|title=El Banco Central de Ecuador sitúa el crecimiento del 2008 en más del 6%|publisher=soitu.es|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215013020/http://www.soitu.es/soitu/2009/01/16/info/1232133437_646823.html|archive-date=15 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, its GDP grew at 8% and ranked third highest in Latin America, behind Argentina (2nd) and Panama (1st).<ref>[http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=66&c=ec&l=es Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) – Tasa de Crecimiento Real (%)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124082617/http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=ec&v=66&l=es |date=24 January 2013 }}. Indexmundi.com. Retrieved 28 January 2013.</ref> Between 1999 and 2007, GDP doubled, reaching $65,490 million according to BCE.<ref>[http://www.bce.fin.ec/indicador.php?tbl=pib Banco Central del Ecuador – Resumen de pib] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029010858/http://www.bce.fin.ec/indicador.php?tbl=pib |date=29 October 2012 }}. Bce.fin.ec (11 July 2012). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> The inflation rate until January 2008, was about 1.14%, the highest in the past year, according to the government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/ecuador/inflation_rate_%28consumer_prices%29.html|title=Ecuador Inflation rate (consumer prices) – Economy|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129053132/http://www.indexmundi.com/ecuador/inflation_rate_%28consumer_prices%29.html|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Gill, Nathan. (6 January 2012) [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-06/ecuadorian-inflation-accelerated-to-three-year-high-in-2011-1-.html Ecuadorian Inflation Accelerated to Three-Year High in 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174247/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-06/ecuadorian-inflation-accelerated-to-three-year-high-in-2011-1-.html |date=2 February 2014 }}. Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 August 2012.</ref> The monthly unemployment rate remained at about 6 and 8 percent from December 2007 until September 2008; however, it went up to about 9 percent in October and dropped again in November 2008 to 8 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecuadorencifras.com/cifras-inec/desempleo2.html|title=Ecuador en Cifras|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616030050/http://www.ecuadorencifras.com/cifras-inec/desempleo2.html|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Unemployment mean annual rate for 2009 in Ecuador was 8.5% because the global economic crisis continued to affect the Latin American economies. From this point, unemployment rates started a downward trend: 7.6% in 2010, 6.0% in 2011, and 4.8% in 2012.<ref>[http://interwp.cepal.org/cepalstat/WEB_cepalstat/Perfil_nacional_economico.asp?Pais=ECU&idioma=e. Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe, CEPAL, Bases de Datos y Publicaciones Estadísticas "Tasa de desempleo"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318012100/http://interwp.cepal.org/cepalstat/WEB_cepalstat/Perfil_nacional_economico.asp?Pais=ECU&idioma=e. |date=18 March 2015 }} Retrieved on 28 January 2013.</ref> The extreme poverty rate declined significantly between 1999 and 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cepr.net/index.php/press-releases/press-releases/new-paper-examines-ecuadors-success-in-emerging-from-economic-recession-reducing-poverty-and-unemployment|title=New Paper Examines Ecuador's Success in Emerging from Economic Recession; Reducing Poverty and Unemployment – Press Releases|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111195649/http://www.cepr.net/index.php/press-releases/press-releases/new-paper-examines-ecuadors-success-in-emerging-from-economic-recession-reducing-poverty-and-unemployment|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2001, it was estimated at 40% of the population, while by 2011 the figure dropped to 17.4% of the total population.<ref name=economy>Rebeca, Ray and Sara, Kozameh. (May 2012) [https://www.scribd.com/doc/92086279/Ecuador%E2%80%99s-Economy-Since-2007 Ecuador's Economy Since 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202093316/http://www.scribd.com/doc/92086279/Ecuador%E2%80%99s-Economy-Since-2007 |date=2 February 2014 }}. p. 15.</ref> This is explained to an extent by emigration and the economic stability achieved after adopting the U.S. dollar as official means of transaction (before 2000, the Ecuadorian ''[[Ecuadorian sucre|sucre]]'' was prone to rampant inflation). However, starting in 2008, with the bad economic performance of the nations where most Ecuadorian emigrants work, the reduction of poverty has been realized through social spending, mainly in education and health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/BANCOMUNDIAL/EXTSPPAISES/LACINSPANISHEXT/ECUADORINSPANISHEXT/0,,contentMDK:20830521~menuPK:500565~pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:500558,00.html|title=Ecuador|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605151407/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/BANCOMUNDIAL/EXTSPPAISES/LACINSPANISHEXT/ECUADORINSPANISHEXT/0,,contentMDK:20830521~menuPK:500565~pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:500558,00.html|archive-date=5 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Obverse of the series 2009 $100 Federal Reserve Note.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|The [[United States dollar]] is the common [[Currency of Ecuador|currency circulating in Ecuador]].]] Oil accounts for 40% of exports and contributes to maintaining a positive trade balance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL2E8JDF2K20120813|title=Ecuador first-half trade surplus rises to $390 mln – Energy & Oil-Reuters|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928210120/http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL2E8JDF2K20120813|archive-date=28 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since the late 1960s, the exploitation of oil increased production, and proven reserves are estimated at 6.51 billion barrels {{As of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/ecuador/oil_proved_reserves.html|title=Oil Reserves|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002093302/http://www.indexmundi.com/ecuador/oil_proved_reserves.html|archive-date=2 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2021, Ecuador had to declare a [[Force majeure]] for oil exports due to erosion near key pipelines (privately owned OCP pipeline and state-owned SOTE pipeline) in the Amazon.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valencia |first=Alexandra |date=13 December 2021 |title=Ecuador declares force majeure for oil exports, output due to erosion |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/ecuador-declares-force-majeure-oil-exports-output-due-erosion-2021-12-13/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624101112/https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/ecuador-declares-force-majeure-oil-exports-output-due-erosion-2021-12-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It lasted about three weeks, totalling just over $500 million economic losses, before their production returned to its normal level of {{Convert|435000|oilbbl/d}} in early 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2022 |title=Ecuador Resumes Oil Exports From Amazon as Fields Resume Pumping |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-06/ecuador-lifts-force-majeure-on-oil-as-fields-resume-production |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107233736/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-06/ecuador-lifts-force-majeure-on-oil-as-fields-resume-production |url-status=live }}</ref> The overall trade balance for August 2012 was a surplus of almost $390 million for the first six months of 2012, a huge figure compared with that of 2007, which reached only $5.7 million; the surplus had risen by about $425 million compared to 2006.<ref name=economy/> The oil trade balance positive had revenues of $3.295 million in 2008, while non-oil was negative, amounting to $2.842 million. The trade balance with the United States, Chile, the European Union, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico is positive. The trade balance with Argentina, Colombia, and Asia is negative.<ref>[http://www.bce.fin.ec/documentos/Estadisticas/SectorExterno/BalanzaPagos/balanzaComercial/ebc200802.pdf Ecuador: Evolucion de la Balanza Comercial] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617053839/http://www.bce.fin.ec/documentos/Estadisticas/SectorExterno/BalanzaPagos/balanzaComercial/ebc200802.pdf |date=17 June 2012 }}. Banco Central del Ecuador (January–February 2008).</ref> [[File:MAXXIMUS GUAYAQUIL-1024x1024.jpg|thumb|Puerto de Santa Ana in [[Guayaquil]], real estate center for the upper class]] In the agricultural sector, Ecuador is a major exporter of bananas (first place worldwide in export<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bananas Exports by Country 2021 |url=https://www.worldstopexports.com/bananas-exports-country/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=www.worldstopexports.com |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520031049/https://www.worldstopexports.com/bananas-exports-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref>), flowers, and the seventh largest producer of cocoa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icco.org/about-us/international-cocoa-agreements/cat_view/30-related-documents/46-statistics-production.html|title=Downloads – Statistics – Production-Related Documents|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920213254/http://www.icco.org/about-us/international-cocoa-agreements/cat_view/30-related-documents/46-statistics-production.html|archive-date=20 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ecuador also produces coffee, rice, potatoes, cassava (manioc, tapioca), plantains and sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork and dairy products; fish, and shrimp; and balsa wood.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World Fact Book|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2052.html|website=Central Intelligence Agency [U.S.]|access-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324191532/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2052.html|archive-date=24 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The country's vast resources include large amounts of timber across the country, like eucalyptus and mangroves.<ref name="Resources Maps World Banks">{{cite web|url=http://maps.worldbank.org/lac/ecuador|title=Mapping for Results – Ecuador, Latin America & Caribbean|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209020754/http://maps.worldbank.org/lac/ecuador|archive-date=9 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Pines and cedars are planted in the region of La Sierra and walnuts, rosemary, and balsa wood in the Guayas River Basin.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Ecuador.aspx Ecuador Facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Ecuador] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824105212/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Ecuador.aspx |date=24 August 2012 }}. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 14 September 2012.</ref> The industry is concentrated mainly in Guayaquil, the largest industrial center, and in Quito, where in recent years the industry has grown considerably. This city is also the largest business center of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rankings.americaeconomia.com/2010/mejoresciudades/ranking.php|title=Ranking 2010 – Ranking completo|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117023526/http://rankings.americaeconomia.com/2010/mejoresciudades/ranking.php|archive-date=17 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Industrial production is directed primarily to the domestic market.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} Despite this, there is limited export of products produced or processed industrially.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} These include canned foods, liquor, jewelry, furniture, and more.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} A minor industrial activity is also concentrated in Cuenca.<ref name="Industrias en Cuenca">{{cite web|url=http://www.invec.ec/invec.aspx?men_id=4.5|title=Industrias en CUENCA|author=DUAL dmw|access-date=13 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017064309/http://www.invec.ec/invec.aspx?men_id=4.5|archive-date=17 October 2014}}</ref> Incomes from tourism has been increasing during the last few years due to promotion programs from Government, highlighting the variety of climates and the biodiversity of Ecuador. Ecuador has negotiated bilateral treaties with other countries, besides belonging to the [[Andean Community of Nations]],<ref>[http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/sudamerican.htm South American Community Nations – Andean Community -CAN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630173459/http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/sudamerican.htm |date=30 June 2012 }}. Comunidadandina.org. Retrieved 21 August 2012.</ref> and an associate member of [[Mercosur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5195834.stm|title=Profile: Mercosur – Common Market of the South|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010143651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5195834.stm|archive-date=10 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It also serves on the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO), in addition to the [[Inter-American Development Bank]] (IDB), [[World Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), [[CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean]] and other multilateral agencies.<ref>[http://www.aladi.org/nsfaladi/preguntasfrecuentes.nsf/5094e65262960d6d03256ebe00601b70/5d03f704298b453e03256edf006df804?OpenDocument Which are its member countries?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717042956/http://www.aladi.org/nsfaladi/preguntasfrecuentes.nsf/5094e65262960d6d03256ebe00601b70/5d03f704298b453e03256edf006df804?OpenDocument |date=17 July 2012 }} aladi.org</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1496583/UNASUR|title=UNASUR (South American organization) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009045603/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1496583/UNASUR|archive-date=9 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.internationaldemocracywatch.org/index.php/union-of-south-american-nations|title=Union of South American Nations|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125080109/http://www.internationaldemocracywatch.org/index.php/union-of-south-american-nations|archive-date=25 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2007, Ecuador paid off its debt to the IMF.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecuador-referendum-imf-idUSN1522681220070416|title=Ecuador says pays off last debt with IMF|date=16 April 2007|work=Reuters|access-date=3 February 2020|language=en|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203223211/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecuador-referendum-imf-idUSN1522681220070416|url-status=live}}</ref> The public finance of Ecuador consists of the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE), the National Development Bank (BNF), the State Bank. ===Sciences and research=== [[File:NEE-01-PEGASO.jpg|left|thumb|[[Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency|EXA]]'s first satellite, [[NEE-01 Pegasus]]]] Ecuador was placed in 96th position of innovation in technology in a 2013 [[World Economic Forum]] study.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131104000235/http://elcomercio.com/sociedad/Tecnologia-innovacion-emprendimiento-emprendedores-Ecuador-desarrollo-nuevasTecnologias_0_995900422.html Ecuador ocupa el puesto 96 en innovación tecnológica]. elcomercio.com. 19 September 2013</ref> Ecuador was ranked 104th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=30 October 2023 |website=www.wipo.int |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022042128/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2013|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2 September 2021|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most notable icons in Ecuadorian sciences are the mathematician and cartographer [[Pedro Vicente Maldonado]], born in Riobamba in 1707, and the printer, independence precursor, and medical pioneer [[Eugenio Espejo]], born in 1747 in Quito. Among other notable Ecuadorian scientists and engineers are Lieutenant Jose Rodriguez Labandera,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lavandera |first1=J.R. |date=27 December 2009 |url=http://m.expreso.ec/ediciones/2009/12/27/guayaquil/guayaquil/jose-rodriguez-lavandera--el-inventor/ |title=José rodríguez lavandera, el inventor |access-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510005403/http://m.expreso.ec/ediciones/2009/12/27/guayaquil/guayaquil/jose-rodriguez-lavandera--el-inventor/ |archive-date=10 May 2011 |website=expreso.ec }}</ref> a pioneer who built the first [[submarine]] in Latin America in 1837; [[:es:Reinaldo Espinosa Aguilar|Reinaldo Espinosa Aguilar]], a botanist and biologist of Andean flora; and [[:es:José Aurelio Dueñas|José Aurelio Dueñas]], a chemist and inventor of a method of textile serigraphy. The major areas of scientific research in Ecuador have been in the medical fields, tropical and infectious diseases treatments, agricultural engineering, pharmaceutical research, and bioengineering. Being a small country and a consumer of foreign technology, Ecuador has favored research supported by entrepreneurship in information technology. The antivirus program ''Checkprogram'', banking protection system ''MdLock'', and Core Banking Software ''Cobis'' are products of Ecuadorian development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eluniverso.com/2009/02/01/0217/220/3A2B9B57BD244019AC0760C8CBF7C0EB.html |title=Checkprogram press release |publisher=Eluniverso.com |access-date=24 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119052834/http://www.eluniverso.com/2009/02/01/0217/220/3A2B9B57BD244019AC0760C8CBF7C0EB.html |archive-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ===Tourism=== {{Main|Tourism in Ecuador}} [[File:CUENCA (32126182143).jpg|thumb|[[Cuenca, Ecuador|Cuenca]], a UNESCO World Heritage city]] [[File:Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa, Baños, Ecuador (9469036870).jpg|thumb|Santuario Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Agua Santa in [[Baños de Agua Santa|Baños]]]] Ecuador is a country with vast natural wealth. The diversity of its four regions has given rise to thousands of species of flora and fauna. It has approximately 1640 kinds of birds. The species of butterflies border 4,500, the reptiles 345, the amphibians 358, and the mammals 258, among others. Ecuador is considered one of the 17 countries where the planet's highest biodiversity is concentrated, being also the largest country with diversity per km2 in the world. Most of its fauna and flora live in 26 protected areas by the state. The country has two cities with UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Quito and Cuenca, as well as two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Galapagos Islands and Sangay National Park, in addition to one [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves|World Biosphere Reserve]], such as the Cajas Massif. Culturally, the Toquilla straw hat and the culture of the Zapara indigenous people are recognized. The most popular sites for national and foreign tourists have different nuances due to the various tourist activities offered by the country. Among the main tourist destinations are: *Nature attractions: [[Galápagos Islands]], [[Yasuni National Park]], [[El Cajas National Park]], [[Sangay National Park]], [[Podocarpus National Park]], [[Vilcabamba, Ecuador|Vilcabamba]], [[Baños de Agua Santa]]. *Cultural attractions: [[Quito|Historic center of Quito]], [[Ciudad Mitad del Mundo]], [[Ingapirca]], [[Cuenca, Ecuador|Historic center of Cuenca]], [[Latacunga]] and its [[Mama Negra]] festival. *Snowy mountains: [[Antisana]] volcano, [[Cayambe (volcano)|Cayambe]] volcano, [[Chimborazo]] volcano, [[Cotopaxi]] volcano, [[Illiniza]]s volcanoes. *Beaches: [[Atacames]], [[Bahía de Caráquez]], Crucita, [[Esmeraldas, Ecuador|Esmeraldas]], [[Manta, Ecuador|Manta]], [[Montañita]], [[Playas, Ecuador|Playas]], [[Salinas, Ecuador|Salinas]] ===Transport=== [[File:Quito Trole 06 2011 1933.jpg|thumb|The [[Trolleybuses in Quito|Trolebús]] bus rapid transit system that runs through [[Quito]]. It is the principal BRT in Ecuador.]] [[File:Railways in Ecuador.svg|thumb|Railways in Ecuador {{nowrap|([[ShareMap:public/Railways in Ecuador|interactive map]])}} ]] {{Main|Transport in Ecuador}} The rehabilitation and reopening of the Ecuadorian railroad and use of it as a tourist attraction is one of the recent developments in transportation matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ferrocarrilesdelecuador.gob.ec/ferrocarriles_en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=202:noticias-novedades-y-actualidad|title=News And Updates|author=David Grijalva|access-date=13 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201224446/http://www.ferrocarrilesdelecuador.gob.ec/ferrocarriles_en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=202%3Anoticias-novedades-y-actualidad|archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> The roads of Ecuador in recent years have undergone important improvement. The major routes are Pan American (under enhancement from four to six lanes from Rumichaca to Ambato, the conclusion of four lanes on the entire stretch of Ambato and Riobamba and running via Riobamba to Loja). In the absence of the section between Loja and the border with Peru, there are the Route Espondilus or Ruta del Sol (oriented to travel along the Ecuadorian coastline) and the Amazon backbone (which crosses from north to south along the Ecuadorian Amazon, linking most and more major cities of it). Another major project is developing the road Manta – Tena, the highway Guayaquil – Salinas Highway Aloag Santo Domingo, Riobamba – Macas (which crosses Sangay National Park). Other new developments include the National Unity bridge complex in Guayaquil, the bridge over the Napo river in Francisco de Orellana, the Esmeraldas River Bridge in the city of the same name, and, perhaps the most remarkable of all, the Bahia – San Vincente Bridge, being the largest on the Latin American Pacific coast. [[Cuenca, Ecuador|Cuenca]]'s tramway is the largest public transport system in the city and the first modern tramway in Ecuador. It was inaugurated on 8 March 2019. It has {{convert|20.4|km|sp=us}} and 27 stations. It will transport 120,000 passagers daily. Its route starts in the south of Cuenca and ends in the north at the Parque Industrial neighbourhood. The [[Mariscal Sucre International Airport]] in Quito and the [[José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport]] in [[Guayaquil]] have experienced a high increase in demand and have required modernization. In the case of Guayaquil it involved a new air terminal, once considered the best in South America and the best in Latin America<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airportservicequalityawards.com/best-airport-size-2-5-million-passengers|title=Best airport in the world – 2–5 million passengers – ASQ Awards|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903133203/http://www.airportservicequalityawards.com/best-airport-size-2-5-million-passengers|archive-date=3 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and in Quito where an entire new airport has been built in Tababela and was inaugurated in February 2013, with Canadian assistance. However, the main road leading from Quito city center to the new airport will only be finished in late 2014, making current travelling from the airport to downtown Quito as long as two hours during rush hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adventurecruisenews.com/2012/03/13/quito-ecuadors-new-airport-to-open-october-2012/|title=Quito, Ecuador's New Airport – Gateway to the Galápagos|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617035421/http://www.adventurecruisenews.com/2012/03/13/quito-ecuadors-new-airport-to-open-october-2012/|archive-date=17 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Quito's old city-center airport is being turned into parkland, with some light industrial use. Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. 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