Guayaquil, Pearl of the Pacific

Santiago de Guayaquil is the most populated city in the Republic of Ecuador. Located in Ecuadorss Coastal Region, near the Pacific coast, it is the city with the highest population density in the country, with an estimated 2,723,000 inhabitants occupying approximately 344.5 km² of land, placing it among the largest cities in the world.

It is also an important commercial hub with regional influence in commerce, finance, culture, and entertainment. The city is the cantonal head of the homonymous canton and the capital of Guayas Province.

Guayaquil stands out among Ecuadorian cities for its high use of mass transit, overall density, and population diversity. As in most of Ecuador, nearly the entire population speaks Spanish as the official language.

Due to its role as a commercial center, the city has long been referred to as the "economic capital of Ecuador" because of the number of businesses, factories, and commercial establishments throughout the city. Another common nickname among locals is "Pearl of the Pacific".

Facts

• Name: Santiago de Guayaquil.
• Population: Approx. 2,723,000.
• Area: Approx. 344.5 km².
• Official currency: U.S. Dollar.
• Voltage: 110 volts, plug types A and B.
• Phone code:
  • Ecuador: +593.
  • Guayas: 4.
  • Example: +593 (4) 2169000
• Tax: 15% Value Added Tax (VAT).
• Climate: Two seasons,
  • Winter: From December to April, rainy and humid.
  • Summer: From May to December, dry and cool.