Ecuador is in north-western South America, it has a Pacific Ocean coastline and borders Colombia to the north-east and Peru to the south.

Ecuador hosts Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on earth; the Galapagos Islands, made famous by naturalist Charles Darwin and many cities and sites which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Climbing and trekking are popular tourist activities and compete but have strong competition with its tropical beaches offering.