Guayaquil - Culture
Guayaquil,
in full Santiago de Guayaquil, city, western Ecuador, capital of Guayas
Province. The city is situated on the Guayas River, near the head of the
Gulf of Guayaquil, in the country's low-lying Pacific littoral. 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).
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). Among the notable landmarks
are a 16th century church in the old district of Las Peρas
and a monument commemorating the Guayaquil Conference (1822) between the
South American statesmen Josι de San Martνn and Simσn Bolνvar.
Guayaquil was founded in 1537 by the Spanish explorer Francisco de
Orellana. Population (1996 estimate) 1,925,479.
The
city of Guayaquil, which is the economic, commercial and financial core of
the country, is situated on the Gulf of Guayaquil along the important
Guayas River. Here we may find the El Malecσn Park, from where the
barges which navigate the majestic river may be seen; the Monument
commemorating the famous meeting between the liberators Simσn Bolνvar
and San Martνn in 1822; The Clock Tower, of Moorish style; and the
important colonial buildings of the Municipality and the Governor’s
office.
The traditional neighbourhood of Las Peρas, situated at the foot of the El Carmen Hill, conserves a sample of the colonial history of the city. From the El Carmen Hill, the Sacred Heart blesses the city. Also found here is the General Cemetery, with its sculptures, gardens and Greek-Roman style mausoleums. Guayaquil has interesting museums such as those of the Central Bank of Ecuador, of the Casa de la Cultura, of the Pacific Bank, and of the Municipality, among others.
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