Manta

Manta is a mid size city of Ecuador, in the Manabí Province. The city has existed since Pre-Spanish times. It was a trading post for the Mantas and the Mayans. The city of Manta has grown in the last 50 years to 200,000 inhabitants. Its main economic activity is tuna fishing. Other economic activities include tourism and a chemical industry with products from cleaning supplies to oils and margarines.

The city of Manta has an international airport (Eloy Alfaro Intl.) as well as a large seaport.

Ecuador has a 10-year agreement allowing the USA to use a military airfield at Manta for anti-drug surveillance flights.

Manta was the port used by Charles Marie de la Condamine upon his arrival in Ecuador when leading the french mission to measure the location of the equator in 1735. From Manta, Condamine started his trip inland towards Quito.

Manta is recognized thanks to its international film festival featuring groups from different places in the world. The ecuadorian actor Carlos Valencia, once invited to Cannes Film Festival for his performance in "Ratas Ratones y Rateros" (1999) directed by Sebastian Cordero (Chronicles, Manhunt), was born in the city of Manta.

Sports

As in the entire country, football (soccer) is the sport of the city. The city has 2 professional teams Delfin S.C. and Manta F.C. However, most inhabitants are fans of Barcelona S.C., the team with the largest fanbase in Ecuador. The practice of water sports is very significant in Manta. Water sports include Surf (Manta was the host for the 2004 Bodyboarding World Cup), Scuba diving, Water-ski, Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing.