Agriculture
Banana
production
is the province's
main cultivation. In
extremely
successful
years the
province has
produced over
42 per cent
of Ecuador
's total production
figure. The
province is
well suited
to the cultivation
of bananas
due to its
excellent
climatic and
ecological
conditions
along its
western plains. The
main areas
of cultivations
are: Machala
, Pasaje,
Santa Rosa
, Arenillas
and El Guabo.
Bananas began
to substitute
cocoa as the
principle
crop due to
the cocoa
crisis during
the first
world war. Since
1944 banana
has been the
main crop. Other
important
crops include:
sugar cane,
African palm,
corn, pineapple
and tomatoes. Over
73 thousand
hectares are
given over
to crops and
pastures exceed
198 thousand
hectares.
Coffee
In
the past coffee
was one of
the most
important
crops grown
in the province
due to the
fertile terrains.
Zaruma is
still known
for its coffee
of exceptional
quality.
The industry
has seen a
downturn,
mainly due
to a decrease
in international
market prices.
Cattle
During
recent years
cattle farming
has taken
off in the
province.
The main areas
are: Machala,
Santa Rosa,
Pinas and
Zaruma.
Marine
Products
Shrimp
fishing is
another extremely
important
econopmic
activity in
the area.
Large tanks
have been
installed
in marshes,
mangrove swamps
and bays,
which has
consequently
upped the
capital earned
from this
activity.
The export
of shrimp
is one of
Ecuador's
most important
exported products.
Industry
The
manufacturing
industry is
one of relative
importance
in the province.
The most important
industrial
braches are:
foodstuffs,
soft and alcoholic
beverages,
chemical products,
frozen shrimp
and fish,
marine products,
metallic and
mineral products,
graphics and
cardboard.
Puerto
Bolivar
Puerto
Bolivar is
the basis
of the province's
commercial
activity.
It is the
country's
second most
important
port due to
the size and
volume of
cargo that
enters and
leaves the
port.
80 per cent
of Ecuador's
banana produciton
moves in and
out of this
port.
Approx. 400
ships enter
the port annually.
The port was
established
on 13th April
1897 by legislative
decree and
was declared
the port of
the Republic
on 24th July
1898.
Last Updated
22nd August
2006 (DLW)
