Ecuador

About the Flag

The Republic of Ecuador is located in western South America between Colombia and Peru on the Equator bordering the Pacific Ocean. It is divided into 21 provinces distributed throughout four different regions: Coast, Sierra or Mountains, Eastern Regions or Amazon, and the Insular Region or Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador is a full member of the UN, the OAS, Andean Community, and the IMO. The legal system is based on civil law. The President is the Chief of State and Head of Government, and there is a unicameral National Congress. The capital is Quito, and the official language is Spanish.

Ecuador’s main exports are crude oil, bananas, shrimp and other sea products, oil derivatives, coffee, cocoa, and non-traditional products such as fruits and flowers. The United States and Latin America are its chief trading partners.

The main port is Santiago de Guayaquil. Other ports are Puerto Bolivar, Manta and Esmeraldas, where the main oil terminal is located.

The currency unit is the sucre, although most transactions with foreign entities are carried out in US dollars.

The legislation governing Ecuadorian Ship Registry is conformed by the Code of Maritime Police, the Regulation for Maritime Activities issued by the Merchant Marine National Office (DIGMER), the Regulations for Inscriptions for the Harbormaster's Office, the Law for the Development of Maritime Transport and Related Activities, the General Law of Registration, and the Law for Facilitation of Exports and Maritime Transport and its Rules and Regulations.