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Guayaquil, Ecuador (January 2008)

Guayaquil is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as that nation's main port. Even though Quito is the capital of Ecuador, Guayaquil is Ecuador’s most important city. Historically, Guayaquil is central to Ecuador’s history since on October 9, 1820, almost without bloodshed, a group of civilians supported by soldiers from the "Granaderos de Reserva,” overwhelmed the resistance of the Royalist guards and arrested the Spanish authorities. Guayaquil declared independence from Spain, and José Joaquín de Olmedo was named Civil Chief of Guayaquil. This was a key to victory for the Ecuadorian War of Independence. Also, on July 26, 1822, José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar held a famous conference there to plan for the independence of Spanish South America. By the 1990’s, much of Guayaquil had become run down. Since then, a major urban renewal project called “Malecón 2000” has greatly improved the city with the restoration of the historic Simon Bolivar Pier making it a symbolic center of the city with its mix of green areas combined with shopping and entertainment.
Guayaquil, Ecuador cover page.
Guayaquil, Ecuador cover page.
Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Guayaquil.
Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Guayaquil.
View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820.
View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820.
Statue in Centennial Park that honors the heroes of Guayaquil’s independence.
Statue in Centennial Park that honors the heroes of Guayaquil’s independence.
Close-up of the statue.
Close-up of the statue.
View of Park Seminario, also known as Simon Bolivar Park and Iguana Park. It is the oldest park in Guayaquil (1895).
View of Park Seminario, also known as Simon Bolivar Park and Iguana Park. It is the oldest park in Guayaquil (1895).
Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador.
Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador.
Close-up of the Simon Bolivar statue.
Close-up of the Simon Bolivar statue.
A gazebo in Centennial Park.
A gazebo in Centennial Park.
People hanging out in the park.
People hanging out in the park.
The reason why Centennial Park is also called Iguana Park is because tame iguanas live and roam freely there.
The reason why Centennial Park is also called Iguana Park is because tame iguanas live and roam freely there.
A couple of handsome iguanas who live in the park.
A couple of handsome iguanas who live in the park.
The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove.
The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove.
The iguanas never left and are a popular tourist attraction in Guayaquil.
The iguanas never left and are a popular tourist attraction in Guayaquil.
This green iguana was climbing up a park bench.
This green iguana was climbing up a park bench.
Children in the park were delighted by all of the iguanas.
Children in the park were delighted by all of the iguanas.
This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends!
This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends!
A squirrel was perched in a tree in Centennial Park.
A squirrel was perched in a tree in Centennial Park.
The park also has a pond filled with fish and snapping turtles such as this one.
The park also has a pond filled with fish and snapping turtles such as this one.
Metropolitan Cathedral was originally built in wood in 1547, but was destroyed by fire and has been rebuilt several times.
Metropolitan Cathedral was originally built in wood in 1547, but was destroyed by fire and has been rebuilt several times.
The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar.
The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar.
Composite photo of the Gothic interior.
Composite photo of the Gothic interior.
Some of the beautiful stained glass windows of Metropolitan Cathedral.
Some of the beautiful stained glass windows of Metropolitan Cathedral.
The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern.
The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern.
Another interior nave in Metropolitan Cathedral.
Another interior nave in Metropolitan Cathedral.
An unusual Christ design inside the cathedral.
An unusual Christ design inside the cathedral.
View of the clock on the upper façade of Metropolitan Cathedral.
View of the clock on the upper façade of Metropolitan Cathedral.
View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil.
View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil.
A man walking in Plaza de la Integración.
A man walking in Plaza de la Integración.
One of two mosaic murals on the Union Club building in Plaza de la Integración.
One of two mosaic murals on the Union Club building in Plaza de la Integración.
The second mosaic mural on the Union Club building.
The second mosaic mural on the Union Club building.
The Union Club was founded in 1869, although the building is from the 1940's.
The Union Club was founded in 1869, although the building is from the 1940's.
The Brussels Market (or South Market) was a market until 1998.
The Brussels Market (or South Market) was a market until 1998.
It has been renamed the Crystal Palace and is used for temporary events.
It has been renamed the Crystal Palace and is used for temporary events.
In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk.
In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk.
View of the pier with the Crystal Palace in the background.
View of the pier with the Crystal Palace in the background.
These fishermen were fishing in the Guayas River right off of the pier.
These fishermen were fishing in the Guayas River right off of the pier.
This fisherman was casting his net.  I wouldn't want to eat his catch since the Guayas River is very polluted!
This fisherman was casting his net. I wouldn't want to eat his catch since the Guayas River is very polluted!
This policeman was on duty on the pier.
This policeman was on duty on the pier.
View of a statue of Omedo in Olmedo Square (the first mayor of Guayaquil in 1830).
View of a statue of Omedo in Olmedo Square (the first mayor of Guayaquil in 1830).
On October 9th, 1820, Olmedo declared the independence of the city of Guayaquil from Spain with the help of other patriots.
On October 9th, 1820, Olmedo declared the independence of the city of Guayaquil from Spain with the help of other patriots.
An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue.
An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue.
Along the promenade of the pier, there are many shops and restaurants.
Along the promenade of the pier, there are many shops and restaurants.
One of many vendors along the promenade.
One of many vendors along the promenade.
The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil.
The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil.
It was purchased from England. Due to structural problems, the tower had to be destroyed and was rebuilt in 1930.
It was purchased from England. Due to structural problems, the tower had to be destroyed and was rebuilt in 1930.
Another view of the Moorish Clock Tower from Administration Square.
Another view of the Moorish Clock Tower from Administration Square.
Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall.
Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall.
It was built by the French Hotel firm Crillon in a 19th century style.
It was built by the French Hotel firm Crillon in a 19th century style.
This is another part of City Hall that was built in 1924 in an Italian style.
This is another part of City Hall that was built in 1924 in an Italian style.
Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall.
Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall.
Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square.
Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square.
Monument to Antonio José de Sucre in front of the Crillon City Hall building. Ecuador's currency is named after him.
Monument to Antonio José de Sucre in front of the Crillon City Hall building. Ecuador's currency is named after him.
He was a military leader who was responsible for Ecuador's independence from Spain.
He was a military leader who was responsible for Ecuador's independence from Spain.
Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822.
Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822.
View of the Monument of the Conspirators, which is located close to Administration Square.
View of the Monument of the Conspirators, which is located close to Administration Square.
A closer view of the Monument of the Conspirators.
A closer view of the Monument of the Conspirators.
Statue of Olmedo who became the first Mayor of Guayaquil in 1830.
Statue of Olmedo who became the first Mayor of Guayaquil in 1830.
Behind Olmedo's back is the key to the city.
Behind Olmedo's back is the key to the city.
View of Olmedo standing next to the conspirators.
View of Olmedo standing next to the conspirators.
As the story goes, the conspirators invited all of the Spanish officials to a party.
As the story goes, the conspirators invited all of the Spanish officials to a party.
While the Spanish officials were partying, the people of Guayaquil took over the police stations.
While the Spanish officials were partying, the people of Guayaquil took over the police stations.
Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish.
Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish.
These are more conspirators.
These are more conspirators.
Here I am with the conspirators.  I promise not to tell!
Here I am with the conspirators. I promise not to tell!
View of the Sucre monument from the Monument of Conspirators.
View of the Sucre monument from the Monument of Conspirators.
View of the Naval Yacht Club looking in the opposite direction towards the pier.
View of the Naval Yacht Club looking in the opposite direction towards the pier.
An observation tower on the boardwalk.
An observation tower on the boardwalk.
Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project.
Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project.
A naval instruction sailing ship docked along the pier.
A naval instruction sailing ship docked along the pier.
Another view of the boardwalk.   Parts of it are supposed to resemble a ship.
Another view of the boardwalk. Parts of it are supposed to resemble a ship.
Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil.
Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil.
Close-up of one of the Presidents. There are a lot of them since the government constantly changes!
Close-up of one of the Presidents. There are a lot of them since the government constantly changes!
View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936.
View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936.
It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain.
It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain.
Bolivar was from Columbia and St. Martin was from Argentina.  They met in Guayaquil, on July 26 and July 27, 1822.
Bolivar was from Columbia and St. Martin was from Argentina. They met in Guayaquil, on July 26 and July 27, 1822.
Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature!
Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature!
A view from another angle looking towards the main monument of Malecón.  The flags are of all the South American countries.
A view from another angle looking towards the main monument of Malecón. The flags are of all the South American countries.
This beautiful urn stands next to the Bolivar/San Martin monument.
This beautiful urn stands next to the Bolivar/San Martin monument.
View of Santana Hill which, overlooks the Guayas River.
View of Santana Hill which, overlooks the Guayas River.
Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established.
Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established.
View of a Malecón Simon Bolivar street scene in Guayaquil.
View of a Malecón Simon Bolivar street scene in Guayaquil.
Steps that lead up Santana Hill.  Formerly, it was a slum, but it is now being renovated
Steps that lead up Santana Hill. Formerly, it was a slum, but it is now being renovated
The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm.
The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm.
Nearby is El Carmen Hill, which is still a slum (which looks the way that Santana Hill once did).
Nearby is El Carmen Hill, which is still a slum (which looks the way that Santana Hill once did).
Entrance to el Cementerio General de Guayaquil.
Entrance to el Cementerio General de Guayaquil.
Another cemetery view.  The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove.
Another cemetery view. The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove.
Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil.  Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted!
Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil. Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted!