Geography
Manabi
is the central
coastal province,
whose capital
is Portoviejo
. The
province has
several elevations,
not exceeding
more than
500 metres
above sea
level. The
cordillera
of Chongon
is basically
the backbone
of the region.
The
Coast
The
Manabi coast
extends for
350km of the
Pacific Ocean
. The
most important
geological
formations
are those
running from
north to south:
the peninsula
of Cojimies
; the capes
of Pasado,
San Mateo
and San Lorenzo
, and points
Cojimies,
Surrones,
Brava, Charapoto,
Jarmijo, Cayo
and Arampe;
the bays of
Cojimies,
Caraquez and
Manta. Isla
de La Plata
is situated
some 15km
away from
Cayo. The
island extends
4.5km in length
and 1.5km
in width. The
Island of
Cojimies is
smaller.
The
Hydrographical
System
The
terrains of
Sucre , Chone
and Bolivar,
cantons towards
the north
of the province,
are served
by an important
river network. River
Quininde,
which belongs
to river Esmeraldas,
originates
towards the
north west
of the canton
of Chone and
continues
towards the
east and north,
replenished
by several
rivers, the
most important
being Piojito
and Mongoya. The
area's most
important
river is river
Chone, whose
main tributaries
are Mosquito,
Garrapata
and San Lorenzo
, Tosagua
and Calceta. The
river basin
nourished
by these rivers
is one of
the most important
and most fertile
in the province.
Other important
rivers are
Jama, Mariano
and Canoa.
Demography
The
majority of
the population
is young,
those over
45 years old
only account
for 13 per
cent of the
total population. The
province's
birth rate
is increasing
and, in spite
of the increase
in the urban
population,
the rural
population
is increasing
more rapidly,
although has
fewer basic
services.
Manabi
has has one
of the highest
emigration
rates, Pichincha
and Guayas
are the most
popular destinations
among emigrants.
Climate
The
climate varies
between dry
subtropical
and humid
subtropical. The
winter season
which begins
at the beginning
of December
and ends in
May is hotter
due to the
influence
of the El
Nino weather
front.
Last Updated
21st August
2006 (DLW)
