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Machala | |
---|---|
City | |
Nickname: Banana Capital of the World | |
Coordinates: 3°16′S 79°58′W / 3.267°S 79.967°W | |
Country | Ecuador |
Province | El Oro |
Canton | Machala |
Founded | 1573 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Dario Macas Salvatierra |
Area | |
• City | 42.91 km2 (16.57 sq mi) |
Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
Population (2022 census)[1] | |
• City | 288,072 |
• Density | 6,700/km2 (17,000/sq mi) |
Demonym | Machaleño / a |
Time zone | UTC-5 (ECT) |
Area code | (+593) 7 |
Website | www.machala.gob.ec (in Spanish) |
Machala (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈtʃala]) is a city in south-west Ecuador. It is the capital of the El Oro Province, and is located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. Machala has a population of 288,072 (2022 census); it is the sixth-biggest city in the country, and the second-most important port. It has been referred to as the Banana Capital of the World.