The climate is colder at higher altitudes. Heavy rainfall occurs in the Eastern Lowland and also in the northern part of the Coastal Lowland. The southern part of the Coastal Lowland receives a light rainfall. Light rain also falls in the Galapagos Islands. The country's service industries include communication and transportation, as well as finance, insurance, and real estate.
Petroleum is Ecuador's chief export.
Other major exports include bananas, cocoa, coffee, and shrimp. The United States is Ecuador's main trading partner for both exports and imports. Other nations with which Ecuador trades include Colombia, Germany, and Japan. Ecuador imports cars and trucks, chemicals, machinery, and many other products. GDP figures are for 1993, employment figures are for 1990.