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.

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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.
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Nickname:  Banana Capital of the World
Machala Location of Machala in Ecuador
Coordinates: 3°16′S 79°58′W
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)

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Machala is a commercial center for the surrounding agriculture industries. There is a large trade in bananas, coffee and cocoa. The banana industry is especially oriented for exportation, and plays a huge role in the city's economy. Bananas are shipped out from nearby Puerto Bolívar mainly to North America. Machala's geographical position near Guayaquil also makes it an important transportation center. Many travelers heading south to Peru or north to Guayaquil funnel through the city. It is not known as a tourist destination among Ecuadorians or international tourists, though its proximity to the Pacific Ocean positions it close to beaches. Machala has a growing economy that was marked in 2007 by the inauguration of its first mall, with a movie theater, on the outskirts of the city.

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The center of Machala is dominated by a large Catholic church and a central plaza. The plaza was built in the early 2000s to include a large fountain. There are many hotels situated in the center of the city. Las Brisas, located nearly a mile from the central plaza, is another popular place in Machala; it is a wealthier neighborhood which used to serve as a popular hangout for local teenagers. But the remodeling of La Zona Rosa, as well as the decreased safety of the area, have led to its becoming less popular.

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Machala has one university, the Universidad Técnica de Machala. There are many private schools in Machala and one public high school – Colegio 9 de Octubre. The city serves as a stopping-off point on the way to nearby Puerto Bolívar and the Jambelí Islands, which can only be reached by ferry.

Machala features a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). Like most of the coastal region of Ecuador, there is a short wet season from January to April due to the retreat of the Humboldt Current. The weather in both wet and dry seasons is very warm to hot and cloudy due to persistent fog from the cold current.

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