Machala

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Machala is a city in south-west Ecuador, capital of the El Oro Province. It is located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. It has a population of 216,901 (2000 estimate). Machala claims to be the "Banana Capital of the World"

Machala is a commercial centre for the surrounding agriculture industries. There is a large trade in bananas, coffee and cocoa. Especially banana industry is orientated to exportation, and plays a huge role in the city's economy. It houses a university and serves as a stopping-off point on the way to nearby port Puerto Bolívar and the Jambelí Islands. Machala has a small airport which currently has no commercial flights (IATA location identifier: MCH). In the past there have been flights to Guayaquil and Quito with Ecuadorian airline TAME.

Most hotels are situated in the centre of the city.

Esmeraldeño soccer forward Eduardo Hurtado played in Machala's professional soccer team Audaz Octubrino.