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Republic of Ecuador
Republica de Ecuador
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday

OTL equivalent: Ecuador
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Location of Republic of Ecuador
Location of Republic of Ecuador
Anthem "Salve, Oh Patria"
Capital
(and largest city)
Quito
Language Spanish
Demonym Ecuadorian, Ecuatoriano (Spanish)
Government Unitary Presidential Republic
President Jaime Nebot
Area 283,561 km²
Population 14,306,876 (2010 census) 
Currency Sucre, Peso-Real
Organizations SAC
LoN

Ecuador is a country located in South America, and a member of the South American Confederation.

History[]

Pre-Doomsday[]

Ecuador was inhabited by many native tribes such as the Timor before being annexed by the Inca Empire. Later, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro claimed the area as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru for the Spanish crown, later separating it. After almost 300 years of colonial rule, Simón Bolívar made Ecuador a part of the Republic of Gran Colombia. Ecuador separated in 1830. In the late 19th century, demand for Ecuadorian cocoa beans suddenly arose, immensely helping Ecuador's economy. In 1895, revolutionary leader Eloy Alfaro decentralized the government. However, Ecuador fell back into military rule in 1925. Through the 1930's and 1940's, Ecuador was ruled by José María Velasco Ibarra.

In 1941, war broke out between Peru and Ecuador over control of the Amazon basin. Fighting ended with the Rio Protocol which was overseen by the United States. Ecuador suffered significant losses including its border with Brazil. In 1960, foreign investment in oil contributed to the Ecuadorian economy. However, that year, Ecuador slipped back into military rule, and this lasted until 1979, with the election of Jaime Roldós Aguilera. There were impressive indicators of economic growth between 1972 and 1979: the government budget expanded some 540 percent, whereas exports as well as per capita income increased a full 500 percent. Industrial development had also progressed, stimulated by the new oil wealth as well as Ecuador's preferential treatment under the provisions of the Andean Common Market, of which Ecuador was a founder in 1990.

When Roldós died in an airplane accident, Osvaldo Hurtado, his successor, was faced with immediate economic crisis brought on by the sudden end of the petroleum boom upon coming to power in 1981. He was unable to tame the economy before doomsday, facing immense hyperinflation and foreign debt.

Post-Doomsday[]

Ecuador was not hit during Doomsday on 26 September 1983. However, Doomsday forced Ecuador to make significant economic reforms. Ecuador needed to reduce dependence on the oil industry. It was forced to stop all foreign borrowing. Hurtado, despite being highly unpopular for his socialistic economic policy, is credited for consolidating Ecuador's democratic political system under tremendously difficult conditions.

Hurtado was succeeded with the election of León Febres Cordero, who pursued a more laissez-faire economic policy, in addition to cracking down on drug trafficking and terrorism. His tenure was marred by bitter wrangling with other branches of Government and his own brief kidnapping by elements of the military. A devastating earthquake in March 1987 interrupted oil exports and worsened the country's economic problems.

In 1990, Ecuador becomes a founding member of the Andean Union, wished to be a part of the countries that would soon become one of the most powerful economic forces in the world. This action was the only action that prevented Ecuador from falling onto among the worst economic crises in its history.

Ecuador decided to attempt to decrease poverty by opening much of its mountainous land to farming and tourism through massive irrigation projects funded through foreign investment. Ecuador built new cities along its coast, with factories outfitted in the latest technology. Ecuador's economic growth allowed it to compete with other SAC nations.

Ecuador was controlled by a succession of left-wing presidents, but due to outside pressure Ecuador kept capitalism as its favoured economic system. Álvaro Noboa, famous banana magnate, was elected as the first right-wing president in a long time.

In 2012, Jaime Nebot was elected as new President of Ecuador.

Economy[]

Ecuador is an emerging economy, and one of the poorest nations in South America. Despite this, it has recently experienced rapit economic growth following the end of the Andean Conflict. Liberalization and market reform have made it an integral member of the South American Confederation. Ecuador's economy is dependent on agriculture and crude oil. Crops grown in Ecuador include bananas, flowers, coffee, cacao, sugar, tropical fruits, palm oil, palm hearts, rice, roses, and corn. Other industries are petroleum, fish, shrimp, timber and gold. Ecuador, nevertheless, has a large service sector which accounts for the majority of its economy. It has opened up offshore banking to other nations, and built several resorts along the coasf. Quito has become a modern metropolis with many industrial complexes and office buildings, but it has been surpassed in economic importance by Guayaquil, an important centre of world trade.

Culture[]

Ecuador's culture is very diverse, and is based on the majority mestizo population, of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent. Small influences have come from the country's African minority, and, more recently, an Asian minority. In general, it is divided into three geographic regions: the coast, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon rain forest. Before the arrival of the Spanish, each had its own distinct culture. Ecuador's cuisine today varies by region, leading to a diverse array of foods. The official language of Ecuador is Spanish, but indigenous languages such as Quichua are commonly spoken in highland regions. Ecuador is the source of many famous works of art and literature.

International relations[]

Ecuador is a member of the League of Nations and the South American Confederation. It is one of the three permanent members of the five-nation committee that governs the Panama Canal Zone. The Canal Zone's current High Commissioner is the Ecuadorian Admiral José Noritz.

Sports[]

Association football (soccer) by far was the most popular sport in Ecuador pre-Doomsday and remains so to this day. Its domestic league is well-attended; its national team has qualified for every World Cup since the tournament's resumption in 1990, and made it to the semifinals in 2002 and 2006.

The indoor version of football, also known as futsal (or indor in Ecuador) is the most popular winter sport. Basketball is another popular indoor sport.

Tennis has taken on popularity in recent years among the middle and upper classes. Ecuadorians such as Nicolas Lapentti and Andres Gomez have done well in the South American-based ATP Tour.

Rugby union, heavily influenced by the growth of the sport in Argentina, has a rapidly growing fan and player base.

Ecuador is a member of FIFA and the International Rugby Board.

See Also[]

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