Ecuador

Ecuador is bordered by Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. There are three distinct zones: the Sierra or uplands of the Andes, the Costa, a coastal plain between the Andes and the Pacific with plantations of bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar; and the Oriente, the upper Amazon basin to the east, consisting of tropical jungles threaded by rivers. Weather The weather in Ecuador is usually around 60-70 degrees in the rainforest, tropical and dessert conditions …

…except in big cities like Quito and Guayaquil, where there are excellent restaurants and other attractions. Many lower class citizens work in textile factories for low wages. But much of the jobs in Ecuador are related to agriculture. School attendance is mandatory for children between ages six and fourteen. Primary and secondary schools each offer six-year programs. Higher education consists of twelve state and five private universities as well as various polytechnic schools. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**