Ecuador : its ancient and modern history, topography and natural resources, industries and social development . uil is the commercial capital of therepublic, and its principal seaport. It occupies anadvantageous position near the confluence of manynavigable rivers, which give access to the variousimportant districts of the littoral, and is at the sametime accessible for ocean steamers and vessels whichtraffic upon the Pacific coast. The site of Guayaquilwas well chosen by those who founded it. Had itbeen farther up the river, the depth of water wouldhave been insufficient for a first-class por
Ecuador : its ancient and modern history, topography and natural resources, industries and social development . uil is the commercial capital of therepublic, and its principal seaport. It occupies anadvantageous position near the confluence of manynavigable rivers, which give access to the variousimportant districts of the littoral, and is at the sametime accessible for ocean steamers and vessels whichtraffic upon the Pacific coast. The site of Guayaquilwas well chosen by those who founded it. Had itbeen farther up the river, the depth of water wouldhave been insufficient for a first-class port, whilstlower down it would have been approached withdifficulty by the numerous small craft which bringits most important articles of commerce from thedistricts traversed by the navigable streams. Theport is thirty-three miles above the junction of theGuayas River with the Gulf of Guayaquil, on theright bank, and lies in latitude 2° 12 south and longi-tude 790 51 west. The town, with the exceptionof a small part of the Ciudad Vieja, or old town,lies on comparatively flat land, about thirty feet above 240. < <o u*o « THE CHIEF TOWNS OF ECUADOR 241 sea-level, and the tide rises and falls some thirteenfeet or more in the harbour. The savanna or plainextends southwards from the base of three low hillsknown as Los Cerros de la Cruz, between the riverand the Estero Salado, the sea-arm which reachesto the back of the town. The first view of Guayaquilis picturesque, with clusters of houses along the front,backed by verdure-clad hills, and the broad surfaceof the river beneath. The long lines of white build-ings, with curtained balconies looking down uponthe gaily clad Indians in the curious craft uponthe water, give what may be described as a Venice-like aspect to the port. At night the impressionis not dispelled, and observing the town from thesteamers deck it appears of great extent, thenumerous gas lights extending far along the waterfront, reflected in the river, and dispo
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1914
