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but  the  population  is  estimated  at  1,500,000.
Perhaps  1,200,000  would  be  nearer  the  true
figure.  Seventy-five  per  cent,  are  Indians,
200,000  half-breeds,  100,000  white,  2500  negroes, ­
  with  a  floating  foreign  population  of
7500.
There  are  fewer  railways  in  Ecuador  than
any  other  country  of  South  America.  One
American  owned  and  operated  railway  running ­
  from  Duran,  on  the  opposite  bank  of
the  river  from  Guayaquil  to  Quito,  a  distance
°f  285  miles,  may  be  described  briefly  as  the
scenic  road  of  the  world.  There  is  another
road  of  about  20  miles,  and  one  or  two  contemplated ­
  lines.
Ecuador  has  been  cursed  by  revolutions,  and
depressed  by  the  lack  of  enterprise  on  the  part
of  its  various  governments.  Guayaquil  is  perhaps ­
  the  dirtiest  city  in  the  world  and  at  all
times  a  hotbed  of  filth  and  disease.  For  these
reasons  it  has  been  shunned  by  tourist  and
traveler  alike,  although  it  is  one  of  the  best
markets  I  know  of  on  the  West  Coast.
The  country  has  no  great  industries.  It  is,