Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 06.djvu/728

* ECUADOR. 636 ECUADOR. ever, are the seasons marked with distinctive regularity. Flora. The flora of Ecuador docs not differ essentially from that of other western coun- tries of South America, and especially resembles that of Colombia and Peru. In the lower por- tions, in the east and on the foot-hills, the vege- tation is purely tropical. Thick forests of cabi- net-wooils and of medicinal plants occupy a con- siderable portion of the territory. .Vbove COOO feet the vegetation is more northern, while above 10.000 feet trees are seldom met with, and the vegetable life consists of shrubs and coarse grasses. Fauna. The fauna includes the common South American species, such as several varieties of monkey, the jaguar, tapir, llama, vicuna, alpaca, etc. Birds, which include the condor and a large number of humming-birds which are restricted to individual volcanic cones, are represented in nu- merous species. Geologv and Mixebal Resources. The Andes contain Arehaan gneisses and granites and sedi- mentary strata of Paleozoic and Mesozoic age, all closely folded and broken in many places by eruptions of volcanic rocks. The coast and the eastern plains are floored by Cretaceous and Tertiary strata. Very little has been done to develop the min- eral resources of Ecuador, and their value is as yet unknown. In the province of Esmeraldas there "are placer deposits of gold along the Santiago, Uimbi, and Cochabibi rivers, which are worked in a small way, and near Zaruma, Province of Oro, gold quartz is mined by an American company. The total output of gold is not more than JS-oOO,- 000. Copper, iron, coal, and [jetroleum are be- lieved to occur in quantities to warrant exploita- tion. Agriculture. The agricultural resources of Ecuador are considerable. The soil in the lower portions, as well as in the elevated valleys, is of singular fertility and produces a large variety of crops. The principal product is cacao, which is cultivated chictly in the provinces of Manabi, Guayas, and Oro, "Estimates in 1H8S placed the number of cacao-trees at over 47.000.000, with an annual productiim of over ■2t),000.000 kilograms (,57,000.000 pounds). Next in imi)ortancc to cacao is coffee, which is cultivated in several dis- tricts. The conditions for sugar cultivation are very favorable, and the industry is gradually extending. Tobacco, ivory-nuts, rice, Indian corn, as well as the common cereals, such as wheat, barley, oats, and a number of medicinal and industrial plants, are also raised for the home market, as well as for export. The rubber-tree abounds, and the collecting of rubber is a grow- ing industrv-. The cattle and sheep holdings are large, aiid considerable alfalfa is cultivated. Cheese is a staple food. Manufactures. Co.mmerce, and Transport.- TION. With the exception of some coarse fabrics for native consumption, straw braid used for the manufacturing of hats and other straw articles, Ecuador has hardly any manufactures. The commerce, although steadily increasing, is as yet unimportant. The exports consist chiefly of cacao. Coffee, sugar, ivorv'-nuts, rubber, are shipped, and some gold. The exports have in- creased from 14,0.52„t14 sucres (48.7 cents) in 1893 to 15,419,222 sucres in 1000. The imports. consisting mostly of textiles, metal ware, and necessaries of life, have risen during the same period from 10,052, l(i3 sucres to 13,431,179 sucres. The trade is mostly with France, Ger- many, Great Britain, and the United States. The commerce with the United States in the period of 1890-1900 has increased as follows: Imports from Ecuador, in IS'JO, .SS3r>,437 ; in 1900, $1,524,378, Exports from the United States in 1890. .$90;!.159: in 1900. .$1.21(J.O0S. The United Stales imports must of Ecuador's rubber and a considerable portion of its cacao, and ex- ports to it railway supplies and foodstuffs. The chief ports are Guayaquil, ilanta, and Esme- raldas, The mountainous surface of the country is unfavorable to the development of transporta- tion facilities. The roads are mostly for pack- animals, being almost impassable during the rainy season. The chief road runs from Quito (q.v. ), the capital, toward Guayaquil and the ocean. Of open rail.way lines Ecuador has only about 67 miles — a short line from Duran, south of Guayaquil, to Cliimbo. A line about 300 miles in length, from Quito to Guayaquil, is to be completed al)Out 1903. It is being put through by foreign capital, and its entire cost is estimated at $18,000,000. The coast rivers are navigated by American and native steamers. There is telegraph communication between Quito and Guayaquil, and also with Colombia, while Guay- aquil has cable connection with Panama and Peru. Go'ERNMENT. The Constitution dates from 1830 and has been frequently altered. The ex- ecutive authority is shared by the President with a responsible ministry. The President is elected directly for a period of four years. The Vice- President is elected in the same uumner, but two years after the election of ihe Prc-^idcnt. serving accordingly across two terms. The Congress con- sists of two Houses. The itiembers of the Senate (two for each province) are elected directly for four years. The House of Representatives con- sists of members elected directly for two years, at the rate of one Deputy for every 35,000 in- habitants, with a Deputy for every additional 15,000 inhabitants or more. The Indians, being practically in a condition of slavery, are tin- represented. Congress meets biennially, but can be summoned for an extra session by the Presi- dent. The voting franchise is restricted to every male citizen of twenty-one years of age who is able to read and write. The local admin- istrators, from the governors of the provinces down to the lieutenants of the parishes, are all appointed by the President and removed at his discretion. For administrative purposes Ecua- dor is divided into sixteen provinces, besides the Galflpagos Archipelago, which is administered by a territorial chief. For tlie administration of justice there are a .supreme court of six judges appointed by the Congress, six superior courts or courts of appeal, whose judges are also appointed by the Congress, and a number of commercial and other inferior courts. For military defense Ecuador has a standing army of .about 3300 men and a national guard about .30,000 strong. Tlie navy consists of a torpedo-boat and a transport. See Armies and Xavie.s. Finance. The revenue of Ecuador is derived mostly from customs duties and to some extent from taxes on real estate and income, and from Government monopolies and property. At