Durán, Ecuador

Durán, also known as Eloy Alfaro, is a city located in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, near the junction between the Daule & Babahoyo rivers, and where the Guayas River forms. This town is the capital of the Durán canton, which was created in 1986 by a local government decree. The town is officially named "Eloy Alfaro" for the Ecuadorian ex-president Eloy Alfaro Delgado.

As of the 2001 Ecuadoran census, there were 178,714 people residing within the canton limits. Durán is part of Guayaquil's metropolitan area. Most of its residents are commuters to other places, hence it is known as a "dormitory town". The towns of Duran, Samborondon, and Guayaquil are connected by the bridge Rafael Mendoza Avilés.

Durán is also well known for being the first (one of the) railroad hub cities in Ecuador. As of July, 2007, there were government programs in place to reactivate the railroad located on this town, and also the railroads connecting Duran with other cities located in the highlands of Ecuador.

Coordinates: 2°10′24″S 79°49′52″W / 2.17333°S 79.83111°W / -2.17333; -79.83111