This volume on Ecuador is one of a series of handbooks prepared by the Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on objective description of the nation's present society and the kinds of possible or probable changes that might be expected in the future. The organization of the book is in four sections dealing with the social, political, economic, and national security aspects of Ecuador. An extensive bibliography and a glossary are provided. Related documents are SO 006 036 and SO 006 669. (Author/KSM)