Population (1990) 1,508,444.

It is Ecuador's largest city and its leading economic center; major industries include shrimp fishing, petroleum refining, food processing, and the manufacture of machinery and consumer goods. Most of the nation's large export trade in bananas and the great majority of its imports pass through the city's nearby deepwater outport (completed 1962). Ecuador's principal port.

Educational centers in Guayaquil include the University of Guayaquil (1867), the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (1962), the "Vicente Rocafuerte" Lay University of Guayaquil (1847), and a polytechnic institute (1958).


Photo belongs to the M.I. Municipalidad de Guayaquil
http://www.guayaquil.gov.ec/
Guayaquil was founded in 1537 by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana. Among the notable landmarks are a 16th-century church in the old district of Las Pepas and a monument commemorating the Guayaquil Conference (1822) between the South American statesmen José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.

Guayaquil is the "gateway" to the most beautiful beaches of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and one of the best sports fishing places in the world.

If you would like to learn more about the city, go to City overview. You will get a general impression of what Guayaquil is like.

Still need a travel agency to organise your trip or a place to stay? Or you do not know where to find a doctor? All the Local Information links offer a variety of possiblities to chose from plus their directions.

The Info center will help you planing your trip in advance.

You like Guayaquil so much that you would like to stay longer? Then the Longtime stay information will help you finding a place to live and either volunteer or paid work.

The EVENT CALENDAR supplies you with information about what is goin on, where and when.

You are most welcome to leave a message, add an experience or commentary at the Message board or the Bulletin board or maybe you find some useful information there.