Machala

Infobox City
official_name = Machala
nickname =
map_caption = Location of in Ecuador
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
latd=3 |latm=16 |lats= |latNS=S
longd=79 |longm=58 |longs=|longEW=W
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = ECU
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_type2 = Canton
subdivision_name1 = El Oro
subdivision_name2 = Machala
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Carlos Falquez Batallas
population_as_of = 2000
population_metro = 130,000
population_total = 216,901
timezone = ECT
utc_offset = -5
website = http://www.machala.gov.ec

Machala is a city in south-west Ecuador, capital of the El Oro Province. It is located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. It has a population of 216,901 (2000 estimate). Machala is sought to be the "Banana Capital of the World"

Machala is a commercial centre for the surrounding agriculture industries. There is a large trade in bananas, coffee and cocoa. Especially banana industry is orientated to exportation, and plays a huge role in the city's economy. It houses a university and serves as a stopping-off point on the way to nearby port Puerto Bolívar and the Jambelí Islands. Machala has a small airport which currently has no commercial flights (IATA location identifier: MCH). In the past there have been flights to Guayaquil and Quito with Ecuadorian airline TAME.

Most hotels are situated in the centre of the city.

Esmeraldeño soccer forward Eduardo Hurtado played in Machala's professional soccer team Audaz Octubrino.

External links

* [http://www.machala.gov.ec Municipio de Machala] Web site of the municipality in Spanish
* [http://www.diariocorreo.com.ec Diario Correo - El Diario de Todos] News about Machala in Spanish
* [http://www.utmachala.edu.ec/ Universidad Technica de Machala]
* [http://www.mundomachala.com/ Sitio informativo de la Capital Bananera del Mundo]