Ecuador

Ecuador is a country the size of Colorado with majestic mountains, pristine beaches, tropical forests, and islands that are home to species that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Named after the equatorial line that runs through the country's heart, Ecuador is located on South America's Pacific Coast; Colombia borders it to the north and Peru to the east and south.

For its small size, Ecuador is a country of amazing diversity. It has four distinct regions. The sierra, formed by the Andes Mountains that split the country down its middle, has an array of beautiful snow-capped peaks, comfortable year-round temperatures, and the country's capital and cultural center, Quito. The Amazon region boasts virgin tropical rain forests, which are home to innumerable species of plant and animal life and the country's chief export—oil. The coastal region’s fertile soil and warm climate create the ideal environment to grow bananas. Finally, about 600 miles offshore, are the islands Charles Darwin made famous with The Origin of Species; the Galapagos Islands are a living testament to the evolutionary process. Giant turtles, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas are just some of the strange and beautiful species that call the Galapagos home.

Since 1962, Peace Corps Volunteers have worked at the grassroots level to assist Ecuadorian communities with a range of development needs. Large sectors of the population suffer from problems such as nutritional deficiencies and a high infant mortality rate. Poor urban youth face problems such as elevated school dropout rates, illiteracy, and high unemployment. Ecuador suffers from large-scale environmental degradation as it loses 200,000 hectares of forest per year. In 1999, Ecuador experienced a major economic and banking crisis that has exacerbated these problems and contributed to political instability.

In response to these challenges, Volunteers focus their efforts in the areas of health, agriculture, youth, and habitat conservation. The Peace Corps also integrates income generation into all four projects. An innovative community bank program enables community members to save and manage their finances as well as loan available funds to rural families.

Last updated Sep 27 2008