Agriculture
and Cattle
Sugar
cane, banana,
cocoa, cotton,
rice and citrus
fruits are
the main crops
cultivated
in the area.
Towards the
north of the
Guayas river
basin there
is a forest
zone extending
around 280
thousand hectares
given over
to agriculture
and pastures
measuring
551 thousand
hectares.
Cattle farming
is also important.
Fishing
The
fishing industry
is one of
the zones
newest and
most important
economic activities.
The shrimp
industry produces
almost the
total amount
required by
the external
market.
Between 1981
and 1985 the
shrimp industry
multiplied
four-fold.
Manufacturing
Industry
The
manufacturing
industry has
significantly
grown in two
areas of the
country: Guayas
and Pichincha.
However, since
the 1980s
the industry
has suffered
some setbacks
with a lack
of primary
materials
being imported
from other
countries
and a reduced
domestic market.
The informal
sector of
the economy
has grown
as a result
of this, with
a number of
people selling
on the streets.
The
Financial
Sector
Guayaquil
is the principle
Ecuadorian
financial
centre.
The sector
grew considerably
as a result
of the 'petrol
boom' of the
70s.
Most private
banks have
been founded
in Guayaquil.
In 1986 four
banks (Pacifico,
Filanbanco,
Descuento
y Guayaquil)
received 43.2
per cent of
total credit
measured by
the Central
Bank.
Maritime
Terminal
Guayaquil
is Ecuador's
principle
port and one
of the most
important
along the
Pacific coast.
Around 80
per cent of
Ecuador's
imports disembark
in Guayaquil.
The port extends
95,40 hectares.
The port was
opened in
1963.
Before the
inaugeration
of the port,
imports arrived
at Isla Puna
and were consequently
transported
to Guayaquil.
Comunication
Thanks
to its weather
conditions,
Guayaquil
is an excellent
air terminal
permitting
service through
day and night.
Numerous airlines
list Guayaquil
on their itinerary.
Domestic traffic
between Guayaquil
and the coast
and sierra
is somewhat
heavy.
There is also
a good airport
in Salinas.
The Rafael
Mendoza Aviles
bridge is
the largest
in Ecuador
which extends
over the river
Guayas.
It measures
over 2km with
over 100 thousand
cars crossing
it everyday.
Last Updated
20th August
2006 (DLW)
