Coast
The Ecuadorian Coast lies to the
west of the Andes mountain range. A smaller mountain range running from its
North to its South boasts many rich and fertile plains. The Coast is
primarily made up of three ecosystems: the tropical rainforests to the
north, the tropical plains of the central and southeastern region, and the
dry forests of the western peninsular region. Two other ecosystems also
exist along the seacoast, with their unique animal and plant life.
The average coastal temperature ranges from 70 to 85 F. A mild winter lasts from December to May, and a cool summer goes from June to December. A warm current, known as El Niņo, causes increased rainfall from January to May.
Products such as bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, soybeans, sugar cane, cotton, shrimp, and a variety of fruits are cultivated along the Coast to meet domestic and foreign demand.