Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Santiago de Guayaquil, or just Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as that nation's main port. Guayaquil is on the west margin of the Guayas River, which flows into the Gulf of Guayaquil in the Pacific Ocean. Guayaquil is at 2.21°S 79.90°W, about 250 km south-southwest of the capital of Ecuador, Quito. According to the most recent census (2001), its population was 2,189,865. However, the estimated metropolitan population was 2,908,338.
Guayaquil is the capital of the Ecuadorian province of Guayas and the seat of the namesake canton. (In Ecuador, a cantón (canton) is a second-order subnational entity below a first-order province.)
Notable Places
The Malecón 2000 is a restoration project of the historic Simon Bolivar Pier. It will be a symbolic center of the city, a mix of green areas and shopping.
The Palacio Municipal is located in front of the Malecón and holds the political offices of city and provincial officials. Built in a neoclassical style, it is considered one of the most important architectural works in the country.
Las Peñas Neighborhood in the northeast corner of the city's center, is the artistic center of the city. Many of the area's 400-year-old houses have been converted into art galleries and several notable artists have studios in the area.
The Mercado Artesanal is the largest artisan market in the city. The market is housed in a 240-shop building that takes up the entire block of Baquerizo Avenue, between the streets Loja and Juan Montalvo. Its many vendors sell indigenous crafts, jewelry, and paintings.
Parque Centenario is located on the street 9 de Octubre, between Lorenzo de Garaycoa and Quito. This is the largest park downtown, occupying four city blocks. It offers shady refuge from the equatorial sun, with large trees arching over the walkways and lawns. A large Statue of Liberty dominates the central area of the park.
Parque Seminario, located on 10 de Agosto Avenue and Chile, is home to many iguanas, some of which approach 5 feet in length. Every afternoon, workers bring fruit and vegetable scraps to lure the iguanas from the trees so that onlookers may watch them descend for a snack. There is also a pond filled with colorful Japanese Tilapia. An equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar is located in the center of the park.
Most buildings in downtown Guayaquil include soportales. These are colonnades or arcades that provide protection to pedestrians from the equatorial sun and torrential rains.
Many churches feature Spanish-influenced architecture.
Bahia is a popular marketplace.