| − | '''Ecuador''' is a country in [[South America]]. It is near the equator, hence its name, which means ''equator'' in [[Spanish]]. The country borders [[Colombia]] on the north and [[Peru]] on the south and east. To the west is the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Part of the [[Inca Empire]] consisted of what is now Ecuador until the Spanish [[conquistadors]] reached the area in 1533. [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ec.html] The area became a Spanish colony known as Quito until it received its independence early in the 19th century AD as Gran Colombia, which consisted of more land than modern-day Ecuador. | + | '''Ecuador''' is a country in [[South America]]. It is near the equator, hence its name, which means ''equator'' in [[Spanish]]. The country borders [[Colombia]] on the north and [[Peru]] on the south and east. To the west is the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Part of the [[Incas|Inca Empire]] consisted of what is now Ecuador until the Spanish [[conquistadors]] reached the area in 1533. [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ec.html] The area became a Spanish colony known as Quito until it received its independence early in the 19th century AD as Gran Colombia, which consisted of more land than modern-day Ecuador. |