Even if you didn't actually know, you probably wouldn't be surprised to hear that the Equator runs straight through Ecuador. The country is bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. For such a small country, there a range of different terrains, there are volcanoes, the Andes mountain range, jungles and coastal areas, also Ecuador owns the Galapagos Islands (population 6,000 ish) which lie just short of a thousand km off the coast. The Galapagos consists of 6 major islands, 12 smaller islands, and more than 40 really small islands. The ecology is so fragile here, that there are only a limited amount of visitors allowed per year, and these people must always have a guide with them, stay on paths and that sort of thing. One of the main attractions are the giant tortoises, which would have become extinct if the captive breeding program had not been established. Now, the tortoises are kept captive until the age of 10 years, when they are able to fend for themselves, then they are released onto the island of their origin. Each island's tortoise is distinct.
The country itself is divided into 3 geographical areas.
First, the Costa, the coastal region running between the Andes and the Pacific ocean. This covers about a quarter of the country, but houses more than half the population. Located in this area is Guayaquil, the largest city and important seaport. This is the most productive area of Ecuador, most export crops are grown here.
Secondly, the Sierra, or highlands, this covers about a quarter of the land. In this area are the Andes which have two more or less parallel ranges, between these is a plateu. Parts of this plateu are quite fertile and have been farmed for centuries by the Indians. Some of the mountain peaks are covered in snow all year round, but Quito (the capital city) also in this area has the sun almost directly overhead all year round and is luck to enjoy spring like weather for most of the year.
Thirdly, the Oriente, located to the east of the Andes consists mostly of tropical jungle. Some of the rivers that began as mountain streams high in the Andes rush down through the Oriente, as tributaries of the Amazon River. The Oriente makes up a bit less than half of the country's area, but only houses about 3 percent of the population.
25% of Ecuador's population is Indian. Over 1.5 million Indians inhabit the Sierra, and some farms located there have been dated at 1000BC. After the Inca conquored the area, the Quechua language was introduced. Spanish missionaries adopted the language, so it became the language of most of the tribes. The Sierra Indians are mostly rural, only about 2 percent live in the cities.
There are only 2 small indigenous tribes left in the Costa region, they make their livings as hunters, fishermen and farmers, although some earn money posing for tourist pictures and selling crafts. As the land in the Oriente is opened up by missionaries and traders many of the indians move deeper into the jungle.
The Mestizos make up around 55% of the population, these people are of mixed Spanish and Indian descent. About 10% of the population are Negros, there are also Chinese, Germans, French, English and Irish families as well. The elite of Ecuador consists of the Hispanics, 10% of the population who are of Spanish descent.

Info from "Enchantment of the World" series