Machala

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Machala
City
From top, left to right: Juan Montalvo Central Park, Bolivar Port, Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral, monument to Juan Montalvo in front of the City hall of Machala, monument to the Bananero, monument to the founding of UTMACH, Columbus Square and Municipalidad street.
Flag
Nickname:  Banana Capital of the World
Machala Location of Machala in Ecuador
Coordinates: 3°16′S 79°58′W / 3.267°S 79.967°W / -3.267; -79.967
Country	Ecuador
Province	El Oro
Canton	Machala
Founded	1573
Government
• Mayor	Dario Macas Salvatierra
Area
• City	42.91 km2 (16.57 sq mi)
Elevation	6 m (20 ft)
Population  (2022 census)[1]
• City	288,072
• Density	6,700/km2 (17,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Machaleño / a
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)
Area code	(+593) 7
Website	www.machala.gob.ec (in Spanish)

Machala (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈtʃala]) is a city in south-west Ecuador. It is the capital of the El Oro Province, and is located near the Gulf of Guayaquil on fertile lowlands. Machala has a population of 288,072 (2022 census); it is the sixth-biggest city in the country, and the second-most important port. It has been referred to as the Banana Capital of the World.