Machala

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 is a commercial centre for the surrounding agriculture industries. There is a large local trade in bananas, coffee and cocoa. 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 (IATA location identifier: MCH).

Most hotels are situated in the centre of the city.

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