Machala
| Machala | ||
|---|---|---|
|
View of Juan Montalvo Park (Parque Juan Montalvo) and Machala Cathedral | ||
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  Machala Location of Machala in Ecuador | ||
| Coordinates: 3°16′S 79°58′W / 3.267°S 79.967°W | ||
| Country |
 Ecuador | |
| Province | El Oro | |
| Canton | Machala | |
| Founded | 1573 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Carlos Falquez Batallas | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 207.09 km2 (79.96 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 330.18 km2 (127.48 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • City | 241,606 | |
| • Density | 1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 245,972 | |
| Demonym(s) | Machaleño / a | |
| Time zone | ECT (UTC-5) | |
| Area code(s) | (+593) 7 | |
| Website | www.machala.gob.ec (Spanish) | |
Machala (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈtʃala]) is a city in south-west Ecuador. It is the capital of the El Oro Province and located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. Machala has a population of 241,606 (2010 census),it is also the fourth biggest city of the country; and the second most important port, it has been referred to as the Banana Capital of the World.The cities name originates from the great Lord Dominic Machala of Surrey, England. A Cathedral is centred in the middle of the city and the Machala population visit the Cathedral on a daily basis to worship the Lord Dominic Machala.
Economy
Machala is a commercial center for the surrounding agriculture industries. There is a large trade in bananas, coffee and cocoa. The banana industry is especially oriented for exportation, and plays a huge role in the city's economy. Bananas are shipped out from nearby Puerto Bolívar mainly to North America. Machala's geographical position near Guayaquil also makes it an important transportation center. Many travelers heading south to Peru or north to Guayaquil funnel through the city. It is not known as a tourist destination among Ecuadorians or international tourists though its proximity to the Pacific Ocean positions it close to beaches. Machala has a growing economy that was marked in 2007 by the inauguration of its first mall, with a movie theater, on the outskirts of the city.
Orientation
The center of Machala is dominated by a large Catholic church and a central plaza. The plaza was built in the early 2000s to include a large fountain. There are many hotels situated in the center of the city. Las Brisas, located nearly a mile from the central plaza, is another popular place in Machala. It is a wealthier neighborhood which used to serve as a popular hang out for local teenagers. But the remodeling of La Zona Rosa, as well as the decreased safety of the area have led to it becoming less popular.
Education
Machala has one university, the Universidad Técnica de Machala . There are many private schools in Machala and one public high school- Colegio 9 De Octubre. The city serves as a stopping-off point on the way to nearby Puerto Bolívar and the Jambelí Islands, which can only be reached by ferry.
Climate
Machala features a steppe climate (BSh) under Koppen classification.
| Climate data for Machala | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 30.4 (86.7) |
30.9 (87.6) |
31.0 (87.8) |
31.1 (88) |
29.8 (85.6) |
27.8 (82) |
27.0 (80.6) |
26.6 (79.9) |
27.0 (80.6) |
26.9 (80.4) |
28.0 (82.4) |
29.7 (85.5) |
28.85 (83.93) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 22.6 (72.7) |
22.8 (73) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.7 (72.9) |
21.5 (70.7) |
20.8 (69.4) |
20.1 (68.2) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.7 (69.3) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.68 (71.03) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 71 (2.8) |
111 (4.37) |
116 (4.57) |
69 (2.72) |
24 (0.94) |
14 (0.55) |
12 (0.47) |
11 (0.43) |
11 (0.43) |
16 (0.63) |
13 (0.51) |
21 (0.83) |
489 (19.25) |
| Source: http://pt.climate-data.org/location/5533/ | |||||||||||||
Transportation
Air
Santa Rosa International Airport (IATA: ETR, ICAO: SERO) serves as the city's principal airport. It serves with currently commercial flights to Quito with the Ecuadorian airline TAME.
References
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Machala. |
- Municipio de Machala Web site of the municipality in Spanish
- Orenses - El Oro - Machala - Ecuador / Comunidad Virtual de la Provincia de El Oro News about Machala in Spanish
- Chat Orenses - El Oro - Machala - Ecuador Chat Orenses - El Oro - Machala - Ecuador
- Investor info for Ecuador and Machala
- Universidad Technica de Machala
- Sitio informativo de la Capital Bananera del Mundo
- Ecuador, Travel in Machala
Coordinates: 3°16′S 79°58′W / 3.267°S 79.967°W
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