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FRANÇAIS
 
  Ecuador: population  
             
  The ethnic-diversity is rich. It includes: 65 % mixed, 25 % indigenous, 7 % whites, 3 % blacks.  
             
  The mixed population is divided into three main groups:
  • mestizos: mixed blood indigenous – white
  • mulatos: mixed blood whites - blacks
  • zambos: mixed bood blacks –indigenous

  
  There are many different indigenous ethnic groups:  
 
A) Indigenous ethnic groups in the Andes :
Most of the rural quechua indigenous population lives in the high moorlands in Chimborazo Province. They are around 270,000 split up into 400 communities.

  • Zaraguros : Loja region
  • Puruhuas : Riobamba
  • Salasacas : north of Ambato
  • Cañaris : north of Cuenca
  • Otavalos : Imbabura province

B) Indigenous ethnic groups in the Amazon rainforest:

  • Quechuas : +/- 65 000 inhabitants
  • Shuars : encountered mainly in the east, near Macas: +/- 4 000 inhabitants
  • Huaoranis : live in deep Amazon around Napo River: +/- 1 000 inhabitants
  • Secoyas-Cofans : a little norther in small numbers: +/- 650 inhabitants

C) Indigenous ethnic groups from north-west :

  • Chachis ou Cayapas : +/- 5 000 inhabitants
  • Tsachilas ou Colorados : near Santo Domingo de los Colorados +/- 1 000 inhabitants
  • Awas
  
  Each of the groups speaks its own language.  
             
  The Whites are concentrated in cities.  
             
  The Blacks are mainly concentrated on the northern coast, especially in San Lorenzo and Esmeraldas. Another group gathers in the northern central valley of El Chota in the north of Ibarra.