EL ORO PROVINCE

The ''El Oro'' Province ( Spanish ''Provincia de El Oro''; Oro () = Gold) is the southernmost of Ecuador's coastal provinces. It has been named that way because of its historically important gold production. It is one of the worlds major banana exporters. The capital is Machala.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Economy

Politics

Cantons

External links

History

Geography

To the north and east the province has borders with the provinces Guayas, Azuay and Loja. To the west and south it is limited by the Pacific Ocean and the Peruvian Tumbes Region.
The province is divided in 14 cantons and features a wide range of attractions, such as the Jambelí Islands, the petrified forest of the Puyango River, and the island of Santa Clara, to name a few.

Demographics

Population 1990: 412.572
Population 2007: 525.763

Economy

El Oro economy is mainly based on export of banana and shrimps. Other agricultural products of importance are cacao & coffee.

Politics

Unicameral government.

Cantons

★ Arenillas (Arenillas)

★ Atahualpa (Paccha)

★ Balsas (Balsas)

★ Chilla (Chilla)

★ El Guabo (El Guabo)

★ Huaquillas (Huaquillas)

★ Las Lajas (La Victoria)

★ Machala (Machala)

★ Marcabelí (Marcabelí)

★ Pasaje (Pasaje)

★ Piñas (Piñas)

★ Portovelo (Portovelo)

★ Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa)

★ Zaruma (Zaruma)

External links

★ Gobierno Provincial Autonomo de El Oro Web site of the El Oro Government in Spanish

★ Orenses Machala Comunidad Virtual de La Provincia de El Oro News about El Oro in Spanish