Ecuador

The region today known as the Republic of Ecuador became part of the great Incan Empire in 1463. As the Spanish colonized more of South America, they passed along European diseases which took a terrible toll on the indigenous population and at the same time reduced the ability of the locals to resist colonization. By 1563, Quito had become the seat of a real audiencia (administrative district) of Spain, which controlled the region for the next 257 years. A movement towards independence from Spain had its birth in Quito on August 10, 1809, a date that is significant to the entire continent. Liberation took several years, but following the Ecuadorian War of Independence (1820 to 1822) in which Spanish forces were defeated by a coalition of South American military forces the Republic of Gran Colombia was formed. In 1830, Ecuador broke away and formed its own republic.

A long-standing dispute with Peru over control of territory in the Amazon basin culminated in war in 1941. After a few weeks of fighting, the conflict was ended by diplomatic means, with Peru having taken some territorial gains. However, tensions and fighting between the two nations would continue well into the late 20th century, with a final border demarcation being agreed to in 1999.

Camouflage Patterns of Ecuador

• Ecuadorian red tiger stripe pattern. Used in general service with the Ecuadorian Armed Forces from the late 1970s to early 1990s

• Ecuador National Police grey urban pattern - worn by GOE, GIR and GEMA - circa 1990s.