Ecuador

The word “Ecuador” means a country on the northwestern coast of South America, home to the Galápagos Islands and named for the equator, which passes through it. In plain terms, a South American country named after the equator, which runs through it.

“Ecuador” is pronounced EHK-wuh-daw (/ˈɛk.wə.dɔɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “Ecuador” used in a sentence: “They traveled to Ecuador to hike in the Andes and visit the Galápagos.”

“Ecuador” is a noun.

The word “Ecuador” comes from Spanish. From Spanish Ecuador, meaning "equator" — the country takes its name from the equatorial line that crosses it.

“Ecuador” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Ecuador takes its name from the Spanish word for "equator," because the equator passes directly through the country. This geographic feature gives the nation its name and is commemorated by monuments near its capital.

Ecuador is home to the Galápagos Islands, a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific famous for their unique wildlife. The country itself sits on the northwestern coast of South America.

Ecuador is located in South America, on the continent's northwestern coast, and should not be confused with Central American countries despite some shared Spanish colonial history.