Guayas Province - Ecuador

The Pearl of the Pacific is characterized by the geographical and cultural diversity that is painted by the sea. The beaches show their own contrast allowing you to admire its sunsets facing the sea, the traditions of culture still palpitate.

It is one of the 24 provinces of the Republic of Ecuador, located in the coastal region of the country, southwest of it. Its capital is the city of Guayaquil. It is the largest industrial center in Ecuador. With its 3.8 million inhabitants, Guayas is the most populous province in the country, constituting 24.5% of the population of the Republic. The province takes its name from the largest and most important river in its territory, the Guayas River. The city of Guayaquil is not only the largest city in the province, with its 2.5 million inhabitants (more than 68% of the provincial population), but also the largest city in Ecuador.

The province has all types of agribusiness in Ecuador, including factories dedicated to the production of food products, textiles, tobacco, chemicals, metal-mechanics and wood. The raising of cattle and pigs is the highlight of the livestock sector, also has numerous poultry farms. Fishing is a very important activity, as is shrimp production, which in recent years has gained great momentum.

Its entire continental shelf is considered as an oil prospecting area, with positive results, especially with regard to natural gas deposits. There is lush vegetation favored by its climate, which affects the agricultural production of rice, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee, bananas, cotton, oilseeds. Part of the population is engaged in agriculture, livestock and fishing. In addition the industry has its place in what refers to the manufacturing industry, products of the sea, sea port, but its main source of income is tourism, its beaches and spas, museums, walks through Guayaquil.

Relief Guayas Province

An orographic spine of about 400 km. from the Guayas to Esmeraldas it articulates with the Andes mountain range and constitutes the coastal mountain range. It begins with Las Cabras hills near Durán, intercepts the Guayas river with Cerrito, reappears with Las Peñas, Santa Ana, El Carmen and El Manicomio heights in Guayaquil; It rises to the North-West with the names of Chongón, Colonche, Manglaralto in the province of Guayas and continues to Manabí and Esmeraldas. The highest heights ranging between 700 and 800 meters. They correspond to the Chongón and Colonche mountain ranges.

Hydrography Guayas Province

It is crossed by a part of the Chongón-Colonche mountain system; There are scattered hills over the area such as Manglaralto, Chanduy, Estancia and Sayá. Regarding hydrography, there is a system that frames the Guayas River with its tributaries Daule and Babahoyo, which in turn receive several tributaries such as El, Tachel and Puca, for the former and Vinces, Jujan, Pita and Chimbo for the second. This whole group has formed the densest river network of the Coast.

Climate Guayas Province

The influence of the cold Humboldt and warm currents of El Niño, make the climate of tropical savanna and tropical monsoon type, with high temperatures for much of the year. In the Santa Elena Peninsula, evaporation is higher than rainfall, which has caused the area to be dry, almost desert; being its annual average temperature of 25Ø C.

Flora Province of Guayas

The Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve is one of the Natural Heritage of the Province of Guayas, it is an attraction where mangroves that reach more than 10 m are still preserved. Tall; There is a diversity of orchids and bromeliads.

Fauna Province of Guayas

The hills of the Province of Guayas are inhabited by tigrillos, saínos, guantas, deer, jaguars, anteaters, howler monkeys, carablanca monkeys (monkeys) and mate-headed monkeys. The Cerro Blanco Protected Forest is the shelter of many animals, such as morpho butterflies and lizards, has 54 species of mammals. It is also well known for its diversity of birds, 213 species, which include 30 types of birds of prey such as the hawk, hawk, among others.

Orography Province of Guayas

It is crossed by a branch of the Chongón-Colonche mountain range, which is an orographic spine of about 400 km. It starts from the Guayas River to the Esmeraldas River through the Province of Manabí. It is also known as Cordillera Costanera. It begins with Las Cabras hill near Durán (City), intercepts the Guayas river with Cerrito hill, and rises towards the NO. The highest heights range between 700 and 800 meters above sea level. In the Province of Guayas they stand out: Manglaralto hill, Chanduy hill, Estancia hill and Sayá hill.

Gastronomy Province of Guayas

Throughout the province especially in the capital you can find several well-known restaurants with renowned culinary offers as well as the famous hollows; places where the taste is exquisite and the typical dishes they offer are very appetizing due to the delight of its preparation.

Fry (Jujan, Durán, Bucay)
Rice with Menestra and Meat (It is typical in Milagro and Guayaquil)
Humitas (Cerecita, Balzar, Guayaquil, Via Puerto Inca and Naranjal)
Bun (Salitre, Guayaquil)
Dry Duck (Nobol, Petrillo)
Dry Chicken / Chicken (Milagro, Bucay, Simón Bolívar)
Seco de Chivo (Puná Island, Pedro Carbo, Progreso)
Specialties in Crab (Naranjal, Guayaquil, Balao)
Food with seafood (Beaches, Guayaquil, Puna)
Guatita (In Guayaquil several presentations)
Chucula (especially in Balzar)
Sugarcane derivatives (Bucay, Naranjito, Marshmallow)
Ripe with Cheese (Puerto Hondo, Nobol)
River fish (Samborondón, Salitre, Colimes)
Rosquitas (Especially in Samborondón)
Hallampaco (Samborondón, Salitre, Naranjal, Shuar Commune)
Bolón (El Triunfo, Guayaquil, Miracle)
Sausage Broth (Guayaquil, Nobol)
Encebollado (Milagro, Guayaquil)
Ceviche (Beaches, Guayaquil, Puná Island)

Culture and Traditions Province of Guanacas

The Guayas has an air of spontaneous creative songs that adorn the beauty of its women and the majesty of the place, among some traditions we have:

The Amorites: They are verses of charm that are dedicated to beautiful girls and life situations. To tell them to the person they are dedicated to, they must accompany themselves to the sound of the guitar and stare into the eyes with a big smile.

The Serenades: It is a very old custom and that is all over the world but that has been lost a little in the Guayas. Boyfriends, husbands or friends hire artists to dedicate songs to their loved ones under the balcony of their house.

Los Rodeos.- A characteristic custom of the people of the Ecuadorian coast that allows to see the claw and bravery of the men who work the land. Among the activities are: the taming of foals, in bullfighting and other challenges that demand a lot of skill and courage.

As in all of Ecuador, religious faith is the greatest expression of tradition and culture in the Guayas, during Holy Week many faithful enact their faith by visiting the seven churches, participating in the Viacrucis, others also entering on their knees temples

At this time it is tradition the elaboration of the pout, the whole family gathers to unite the ingredients that each one contributes and enjoy it together with the beings that he loves.

The civic celebrations are another example of culture and tradition, they have their programming on July 25 and October 9, many neighborhoods and parishes participate in the festivities, the streets are usually closed to comply with the celebration schedule, some leaders make collections, others provide prizes for the games that include: The crossing of the bagged ones, the slippery waxed stick, the egg and the spoon that demand balance, and all this ends with the election of the Queen of Neighborhood and the dinner of the dishes typical that is known as the comilona.

While in the most commemorative places to date, there are traditional parades.

Tourist Places Guayas Province

Mangrove Reserve Churute: The care of endemic mangrove species is one of the long-term purposes of the province and one of its attractions full of history are mangroves, an enriching experience recommended for visitors who want to know more about Guayas.

Santa Ana Hill: You cannot leave the capital of the province without visiting this place, it has places from which to appreciate a part of Guayaquil, viewpoints, green areas, restaurants, beautiful and colorful colonial houses that will transport you in time.

El Pantanal Zoo: you can find it about 10 minutes from the city where you can see native fauna and flora and other places with similar atmosphere, highly recommended for a day in Guayaquil.

Puerto Engabao: It is one of the fishing villages that is close to Guayaquil, a paradise with its tropical climate and waves that attract the most experienced surfers.

Piedra Blanca Waterfalls: A few kilometers from Bucay via Chillanes, you can find this tourist wonder that will make you recover energy with its refreshing waters and the beauty of the place. The activities that can be done are: paragliding, rappelling, hiking, horseback riding and cycling.

Source:

• https://www.ecured.cu/Provincia_del_Guayas_(Ecuador)
• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_del_Guayas

Images:

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guayaquil_LaRotonda_Bolivar_SanMartin.JPG