Guayaquil

Guayaquil
City
Panorama view of Guayas River and downtown Malecon waterfront area, from Santa Ana Hill
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): La Perla del Pacífico English: The Pearl of the Pacific
Motto: Por Guayaquil Independiente English: For Independent Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Coordinates:
Country	Ecuador
Province	Guayas
Canton	Guayaquil
Settled	1534
Independence	1820
Government
• Mayor	Jaime Nebot
• Vice-Mayor	Domenica Tabacchi
Area
• City	344.5 km2 (133.01 sq mi)
• Land	316.42 km2 (122.17 sq mi)
• Water	28.08 km2 (10.84 sq mi)
• Metro	2,493.86 km2 (962.88 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13.2 ft)
Population (2010 census)
• City	2,291,158
• Density	6,700/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
• Metro	2,690,000
Demonym	Guayaquilean
Time zone	ECT (UTC-5)
Postal code	090101 to 090158
Area code(s)	(+593) 4
Vehicle registration	G
Website	www.guayaquil.gob.ec

Aerial view of Guayaquil

Guayaquil (pronounced: ), officially Santiago de Guayaquil (English: Santiago of Guayaquil) (pronounced: ), is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, with around 2.69 million people in the metropolitan area, as well as the nation's main port. The city is the capital of the Ecuadorian province of Guayas and the seat of the namesake canton.

Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil.

History

Guayaquil is recognized as being founded, by the government, on July 25, 1538^[1] with the name Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de Guayaquil (Most Noble and Most Loyal City of St. James of Guayaquil) by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana. Even before it was founded by the Spanish, it already existed as a native village.

In 1600 Guayaquil had a population of about 2,000 people; by 1700 the city had a population of over 10,000.

In 1687, Guayaquil was attacked and looted by English and French concubines.

In 1709, the English captains Woodes Rogers, Etienne Courtney, and William Dampier along with a crew of 110, looted Guayaquil and demanded ransom; however, they suddenly departed without collecting the ransom after an epidemic of yellow fever broke out.

On October 9, 1820, almost without bloodshed, a group of civilians, supported by soldiers from the "Granaderos de Reserva", a battalion quartered in Guayaquil, overwhelmed the resistance of the Royalist guards and arrested the Spanish authorities. Guayaquil declared independence from Spain, becoming Provincia Libre de Guayaquil, and José Joaquín de Olmedo was named Jefe Civil (Civilian Chief) of Guayaquil. This would prove to be a key victory for the Ecuadorian War of Independence.

On July 26, 1822, José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar held a famous conference in Guayaquil to plan for the independence of Spanish South America.

In 1829, the city was invaded by the Peruvian Army, which occupied it for seven months.

In 1860, the city was the site of the Battle of Guayaquil, the last of a series of military conflicts between the forces of the Provisional Government, led by Gabriel García Moreno and General Juan José Flores, and the forces of the Supreme Chief of Guayas, General Guillermo Franco, whose government was recognized as possessing sovereignty over the Ecuadorian territory by Peruvian president Ramón Castilla.

Large portions of the city were destroyed by a major fire in 1896.

On July 8, 1898, the Guayaquil City Hall "Muy Ilustre Municipalidad de Guayaquil" officially recognized the anthem written by José Joaquín de Olmedo in 1821, with the music composed by Ana Villamil Ycaza in 1895, as the "Himno al 9 de Octubre" Canción al Nueve de Octubre, most widely known now as the "Himno a Guayaquil" (Guayaquil Anthem).

Engraving depicting a map of Guayaquil in 1741.

Guayaquil's waterfront around 1920.

Economy

Guayaquileños' main sources of income are: formal and informal trade, business, agriculture and aquaculture. Most commerce consists of small and medium businesses, adding an important informal economy occupation that gives thousands of guayaquileños employment.^[2]

Ongoing projects seek urban regeneration as a principal objective to the growth of the city's commercial districts, as the increase of capital produces income. These projects in the city driven by the recent mayors have achieved this goal after investing large sums of money. The current municipal administration aims to convert Guayaquil into a place for first-class international tourism and business multinationals.^[3]

Tower blocks in the city

Transport

Guayaquil maintains an infrastructure for import and export of products with international standards. Among its major trading points are the Seaport, the largest in Ecuador and one of the biggest influx of shipping on the shores of the Pacific and José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. Additionally, it has an infrastructure of roads to other cities and provinces, which are considered among the best in the country.

Government

Guayaquil's mayor Jaime Nebot and Ecuador's president Rafael Correa.

Guayaquil City Hall.

Guayaquil's current mayor is Jaime Nebot, a well-known member of the political party Partido Social Cristiano. Jaime Nebot began a campaign of construction projects for the city in the late 1990s to attract tourism, that included the "urban regeneration", which reconstructed the city in all levels including sidewalks, parks, sewer system, it took the power and telephone lines underground, it saw a lot of reconstruction of the city's chaotic transit system with the construction of multiple infrastructures (streets, speedways, overhead passages, tunnels, etc.).

In August 2006, the city's first bus rapid transit system, Metrovia, opened to provide a quicker, high-capacity service. One of the main projects was called Malecón 2000 , the renovation of the promenade (malecón) along the Guayas River with the addition of a boardwalk in 2000. Another project was the creation of the Nuevo Parque Histórico, a park in a housing development area that is called Entre Ríos because it lies between the Daule and Babahoyo rivers (which confluence to form the Guayas river), in a mangrove wetland area. The park cost the city about 7 million dollars.

Geography

Gulf of Guayaquil.

Guayaquil, Ecuador, the nation's largest city and the capital of Guayas Province. It is on the Guayas River about 40 miles (64 km) north of the Gulf of Guayaquil, near the Equator. Guayaquil is Ecuador's chief port and principal commercial and manufacturing center. An international airport and the only railway to the nation's interior serve the city.

Landmarks include the cathedral and the church of San Francisco.

Guayaquil city sectors

Builidings in Puerto Santa Ana.

Historic buildings in the Parque Histórico.

Las Peñas neighborhood.

Guayaquil skyline

Demographics

Climate

Guayaquil features a tropical savanna climate. Between January and April the climate is hot and humid with heavy rainfall, especially during El Niño years when it increases dramatically and flooding usually occurs. The rest of the year (from May through December) however, rainfall is minimal due to the cooling influence of the Humboldt Current, with usually cloudy mornings and very agreeable afternoon and evening breezes.

Food

Ecuadorian ceviche, made of shrimp, lime and tomato sauce

Typical Guayaquil cuisine includes mostly seafood dishes such as encebollado and ceviche. The most traditional dish of Guayaquil is Arroz con Menestra y Carne Asada (Rice with lentils and grilled beef).^[6] Churrasco is also a staple food of Guayaquil.

During breakfast, Patacones and Bolon de Verde (fried plantain with cheese mashed and given a rounded shape) play a big role. Pan de yuca is a typical snack in Guayaquil. Local cuisine is heavily influenced by the diversity of Guayaquil's ethnic groups which includes Italian, Spanish and Eastern African origins.

Notable people

Artists

Ecuador is known for its artists and its place in art history. Many of them were born in Guayaquil, such as:

Julio Jaramillo.

José Joaquín de Olmedo.

• Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco (1908, Guayaquil - d. 1993, Quito)
• Araceli Gilbert (b. 1913, Guayaquil – d. 1993, Quito)
• Demetrio Aguilera Malta (b. 1909, Guayaquil - d. 1981, Mexico)
• Enrique Gil Gilbert (1912, Guayaquil - d. 1973, Guayaquil)
• Enrique Tábara (b. 1930, Guayaquil)
• Eugenia Viteri (b. 1928, Guayaquil)
• Félix Arauz (b. 1935, Guayaquil)
• Joaquín Gallegos Lara (b. 1909, Guayaquil – d. 1947, Guayaquil)
• Jorge Velarde (b. 1960, Guayaquil)
• Jorge Queirolo B. (b. 1963, Guayaquil)
• José de la Cuadra (1903, Guayaquil - d. 1941, Guayaquil)
• José Martínez Queirolo (b. 1931, Guayaquil – d. 2008, Guayaquil)
• Juan Villafuerte (b. 1945, Guayaquil; d. 1977, Barcelona, Spain)
• Julio Jaramillo (b. 1935, Guayaquil – d. 1978, Guayaquil)
• Luis Burgos Flor (b. 1939, Guayaquil)
• Luis Miranda (b. 1932, Guayaquil)
• Luis Molinari (b. 1929, Guayaquil)
• Numa Pompilio Llona (b. 1832, Guayaquil – d. 1907, Guayaquil)
• Theo Constanté (b. 1934, Guayaquil)
• Víctor Manuel Rendón (b. 1859, Guayaquil – d. 1940, Guayaquil)
• Xavier Blum Pinto (b. 1957, Guayaquil)
• Osvaldo Sánchez Maciaz (b. 1988, Guayaquil)

Others

Other notable people from Guayaquil include:

• Fernanda Cornejo, Miss Ecuador International 2011, Miss International 2011
• Olga Álava, Miss Ecuador Earth 2011, Miss Earth 2011
• Sir Frederick Ashton, British choreographer and dancer
• Novelist Demetrio Aguilera Malta
• Animator Mike Judge
• Poets José Joaquín de Olmedo,^[7] Karina Galvez^[8] and Adalberto Ortiz
• Writer/historian Jenny Estrada
• color commentator for the WWE Spanish team and former professional wrestler Hugo Savinovich
• Scholar Benjamín Urrutia
• Former world's oldest person María Capovilla
• Archeologist Presley Norton Yoder
• Violinist Alex Jimbo Viteri
• Violinist Jorge Saade
• Writer Pedro Jorge Vera
• Actor Albert Paulsen
• Operatic soprano Beatriz Parra Durango
• rapper Gerardo Mejía, made famous during the early 90s for his song "Rico Suave"
• Tennis player Pancho Segura who in 1950 and 1952 was the world's Co-No. 1 player
• Tennis player Andrés Gómez, who won the ATP Championship of Roland Garros in Paris, France in 1990
• Swimmer Jorge Delgado 4th in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, multiple times South American champion (19), Gold Medal 1975 Panamerican champion.
• Striker Felipe Caicedo, who is currently playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.
• Striker Joao Plata, who is currently playing for Real Salt Lake.
• Carolina Aguirre, Miss Universe 2012 Candidate
• Prima ballerina and choreographer Noralma Vera Arrata
• Writer and feminist Rosa Borja de Ycaza

Religious buildings

Catedral Metropolitana.

As in many other cities from Ecuador, Guayaquil inherited the catholic organization from the colonial Spanish times and was divided in parishes. Nonetheless, many of the original religious and historic buildings tied to those parishes were destroyed by fires and the attack of English, French, and Dutch pirates. Today, very few remains of religious colonial architecture are present and in all cases have been altered without preserving their originality. The oldest church of Guayaquil, rebuilt many times though, is the "Iglesia de Santo Domingo".

Guayaquil has a cathedral and many other Roman Catholic churches. Approximately 80% of Guayaquileños are Catholics, however, several Protestant groups are also present, such as the Evangelical Church with about 150,000 members.

Many other faiths and religions are represented throughout the city. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has many meetinghouses and the Guayaquil Ecuador Temple located in the area. There is a small Jewish community, composed mostly of Israeli citizens, and German immigrants who fled Germany during the Second World War.

Education

Biblioteca Municipal de Guayaquil

Biblioteca Municipal de Guayaquil (Municipal Library of Guayaquil) serves as the public library of Guayaquil.^[9] The city has several universities, including the University of Guayaquil (founded in 1867), the Universidad Catolica de Santiago de Guayaquil and the Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL)

Sports

Barcelona's Stadium Estadio Monumental, the second largest stadium in South America.

There are two major Emelec is short for "Empresa Electrica del Ecuador" – the team was sponsored by the electric power company when founded.)

The city is the home of Luis Morejon, and held annually in November.

Another major event in the city is the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Universities

ESPOL offices at night.

Some of Guayaquil's main universities are:

• Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral
• Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo
• University of Guayaquil
• Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil
• Universidad Laica Vicente Rocafuerte
• Universidad Casa Grande
• Universidad Santa Maria
• Blue Hill College
• Universidad Del Pacífico – Ecuador
• Institute of Graphics Arts and Digital Science
• Universidad Politécnica Salesiana

Notable places

Malecon 2000

Las Peñas Neighborhood.

The Malecón 2000 is a restoration project of the historic Simón Bolívar Pier. It will be a symbolic centre of the city, a mix of green areas and shopping. The tall ship Guayas has its home base here.

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 is a neighbourhood in the northeast corner of the city centre; is the artistic centre 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 Loja and Juan Montalvo streets. Its many vendors sell indigenous crafts, jewellery, and paintings.

Parque Centenario is located on Av. 9 de Octubre, between Lorenzo de Garaycoa and Pedro Moncayo. This is the largest park in the town centre, 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 (also known as Parque de Las Iguanas or Iguana Park) located on 10 de Agosto Avenue and Chile Avenue, is home to many iguanas (Iguana iguana),^[10] some of which approach 5 feet in length. Tourists and locals alike often feed the iguanas mango slices from park vendors. There is also a pond filled with colourful Japanese Tilapia. An equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar is located in the centre of the park.

Urdesa is a traditional neighborhood, for restaurants, stores.

Bahia is a popular marketplace for toys, clothing, electronic goods, DVDs, and CDs.

Transport

The city's new airport, José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (IATA airport code: GYE), though using the same runways, had its passenger terminal completely rebuilt in 2006 and was renamed. The old passenger terminal, Simon Bolivar, is now a convention centre.^[11]

See also

• List of urban parishes of Guayaquil
• José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport

References

External links

• Municipalidad de Guayaquil
• Guayaquil at Google Maps
• Guayaquil Photo
• Barrio De Paz – A documentary about gang culture in Guayaquil on OneWorldTV

Provincial capitals in Ecuador Within regions, north to south Insular Puerto Baquerizo Costa Esmeraldas Portoviejo Babahoyo Guayaquil Santa Elena Santo Domingo Machala Sierra Tulcán Ibarra Quito Latacunga Ambato Guaranda Riobamba Azogues Cuenca Loja Oriente Lago Agrio Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca) Tena Puyo Macas Zamora