Galápagos Giant Tortoise
These ancient reptiles can live over 150 years and were studied by Charles Darwin on the Galápagos Islands, which belong to Ecuador.
Flag of Ecuador
Field Report
Ecuador is a small country on the northwestern coast of South America, sandwiched between Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, with the Pacific Ocean along its western edge. It packs an extraordinary variety of landscapes into a space roughly the size of Colorado — snowy volcanoes, thick rainforest, coastal lowlands, and a chain of volcanic islands far out in the ocean. About 18 million people call Ecuador home, speaking Spanish as well as dozens of indigenous languages passed down through ancient peoples who have lived there for thousands of years.
From the Field Notebook
Galápagos Giant Tortoise
These ancient reptiles can live over 150 years and were studied by Charles Darwin on the Galápagos Islands, which belong to Ecuador.
Harpy Eagle
One of the most powerful eagles on Earth, the harpy eagle hunts monkeys and sloths through the dense forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Poison Dart Frog
Tiny and brilliantly colored, these frogs carry enough toxin in their skin to warn predators away, and indigenous peoples once used their secretions to tip hunting darts.
Ceviche
Fresh seafood marinated in citrus juice and mixed with onions and tomatoes, ceviche is a staple along Ecuador's Pacific coast and tastes bright and tangy.
Llapingachos
These pan-fried potato and cheese patties are a highland comfort food, often served alongside fried egg and a peanut sauce.
Cuy
Roasted guinea pig has been eaten in the Andes for thousands of years and is still prepared for special celebrations by families in the mountain villages.
Ecuador is the only country in the world named after an imaginary line — the equator runs right through it, meaning you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
The Galápagos Islands sit about 600 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean and are home to animals found nowhere else on Earth, including marine iguanas that swim in the ocean.
Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of bananas, shipping them to countries on nearly every continent.
Quito, Ecuador's capital city, sits at nearly 9,400 feet above sea level, making it the second-highest official capital city in the world — higher than most mountains in the United States.
Ecuador has more bird species per square mile than almost any other country, with over 1,600 species recorded — that is more than the entire continent of North America combined.
Daily Life
77
Years life expectancy
96%
Can read and write
91%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Ecuador is home to 33 distinct people groups — 1 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Most Ecuador's people follow Christianity (93.5%). Evangelical Christians make up about 10.6% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Deaf
50,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.