Balao

Balao
Town
Central park of Balao
Central park of Balao
Flag of Balao
Coat of arms of Balao
Motto(s): 
Por la Gloria y el Progreso de Balao (For the Glory and Progress of Balao)
Balao is located in Ecuador
Balao
Balao
Location in Ecuador
Coordinates: 2°54′38″S 79°49′00″W / 2.91047°S 79.81672°W / -2.91047; -79.81672
Country Ecuador
ProvincesGuayas
CantonBalao
Foundedbefore 1700
Government
 • MayorSandy Gómez
Area
 • Town
1.34 km2 (0.52 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2022 census)[1]
 • Town
12,850
 • Density9,600/km2 (25,000/sq mi)
DemonymBalaoense
Time zoneUTC-5 (ECT)
Websitehttp://www.municipiodebalao.gob.ec/

Balao is a town located in southern Guayas, Ecuador, near Azuay and El Oro provinces. It is the seat of Balao Canton, created in 1987.

As of the census of 2022, Balao Canton had a population of 25,655.[2] The town is connected with Guayaquil and Machala. It has an airstrip.

The town and the canton take their name from a tree. An alternate theory for the name Balao comes from a tribe called Palau, who allegedly inhabited the area in pre-hispanic times.[3] The most important rivers are: the Balao River, the Jagua River, and the Gala River. The main crops are: banana, cacao, rice, maize, cassava, tomato, coffee, and tropical fruits.

  1. ^ Citypopulation.de Population and area of Balao
  2. ^ Citypopulation.de Population and area of Balao Canton
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference memoria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).