The Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, wich is bounded by Colombia on the north, by Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Galápagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón) are in the Pacific, about 965 kilometers (600 miles) west of the ecuadorian continental territory. The country was named after the Equator Line and has an area of 98,985 m2 . The capital is Quito, MD (Metropolitan District).