Esmeraldas' History

Esmeraldas was discovered by Bartolomé Ruiz on September 21, 1526 and proclaimed its independence on August 5, 1820. It belonged for more than three centuries to the so-called Government of Quito. In the 16th century Esmeraldas was a temptation for the Spaniards, for the emerald stones. In the early years of the colony, the rule of the Spanish government in this region was impossible, because of the resistance of the black population settled there under the command of Sebastian de Illescas. Only an evangelizing process initiated by the Mercedarian order could subject the black community to the Spanish government, but when the settlement of the colony was already evident.

Esmeraldas had the category of province during the Colony, the King of Spain granted it for two generations to Don Pedro Vicente Maldonado. When the Gran Colombia was constituted, the political category fell, according to the Law of the Political Division of the Gran Colombia of July 25, 1824, assigning it the canton category of Quito, in 1839, it became part of the province of Imbabura , later in the year of 1843 he was reinstated as a canton of the province of Pichincha. It appears as Province of Esmeraldas in the Territorial Division Law of the Republic of Ecuador of May 29, 1861 and was integrated by the Canton Esmeraldas and the Esmeraldas, Atacames, Rioverde, La Tola, San Francisco and Concepción parishes.

Limits

• North: Colombia
• South: Manabí and Pichincha
• East: Carchi and Imbabura
• West: Pacific Ocean

It is divided into 7 cantons:

• Atacames - Atacames
• Muisne - Muisne
• Esmeraldas - Esmeraldas
• Quininde - Quininde
• The Concord - La Concordia
• Green River - Green River
• Eloy Alfaro - Eloy Alfaro
• San Lorenzo - San Lorenzo

The new Esmeraldas

With the passage of time the city has had changes especially in its beaches and in some streets. Still need to improve this small city that is big in nature and the change continues here I will show you some pictures of the change of my city.
As streets of neighborhoods that were paved, a larger hospital, Las Palmas beach improved its tourist structure, new schools, etc.

Our Culture

The Municipal Government of the Esmeraldas canton is committed to revaluing our cultural identity and promoting the tourist wealth of our canton.

Music, dance, literature and within them oral tradition is part of our cultural heritage, which combine with its fluvial and maritime spas, its immense richness in fauna and flora, its exquisite cuisine; they are our own values that identify our canton and that today, we want to deliver to Ecuador and the world, all this rich cultural potential that it has, through quality events that this Municipality has been organizing to make our city; the capital of the Afro-Ecuadorian Culture.

Here I present a video where you explain more about our culture:

Aphrodisiac Food

Seafood is the basis of Esmeralda gastronomy, known throughout the country for its good flavor. Inhabitants and tourists who visit the tourist destinations of the Esmeraldas coast consume them, because they say that being aphrodisiacs, for their great proteins.

The consumption of shells, shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels, prawns, octopus, squid, crabs, sea snail or donkey's foot has allowed to create some dishes that attract the attention of diners in this province of northern Ecuador.

These foods have a higher consumption in people of the Ecuadorian highlands or foreigners who visit the spas of Esmeraldas

For example, in the so-called gastronomic route that starts from the canton of San Lorenzo, north of Esmeraldas, and ends in Muisne, ceviches of shrimp, fish, crab, shell and clams are consumed.

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Places that YOU should visit!!!

Tourist attractions

The talk of Esmeraldas is talking about the magical beauty of its beaches and sand.

We invite you to know the following places:

ATACAMES

It is located 30 km southwest of the city of Esmeraldas. The temperature of this beach zone fluctuates between 20 and 25 degrees centigrade in summer and rises to 30 degrees centigrade in winter; It is well known and frequented by young people, who like music, dancing, the sun and at night fun under the light of the moon.

TONSUPA

Tonsupa is located 26 kilometers southwest of the city of Esmeraldas, it is considered one of the most extensive beaches, it has approximately 4 kilometers; its minimum temperature is 21 degrees Celsius and the maximum is 32º C. The beach is surrounded by coconut trees and tree species, you can see crustaceans, shells and the flight of seagulls.

Currently, this beautiful beach has a complete infrastructure, which attracts many tourists. In this magnificent spa you can walk and observe the most beautiful sunsets; is preferred by families, for its tranquility, here you can enjoy the scenery and the pleasant sea breeze.

SUA

The beach is like a large pool that allows tourists to bathe, swim and enjoy the tranquility of the sea. The restaurants are located in this area and have all the delights of the sea. From Súa you can go to the "Cueva del Amor" and the "Isla de los Pájaros" which is eight minutes by boat from the town.

• Los Pájaros Island: You can also take a boat ride around the island of birds, which is an elevation of rock and land located in front of the beach.

• Caves: You can visit caves formed by the action of the waves on the sides of the rocks that stand at two ends of the resort.

• The Suicide Rock: The rock of the Suicide is an extraordinary natural viewpoint of calcareous formation 80 meters high. Separate the beaches of Atacames and Súa, you can cross from one beach to another bordering the rock, walking among rocks, crabs and small waves.

We also have :

• Mompiche
• Muisne
• Estero de Plátano
• Many rivers
• and our beautiful beach "Las palmas"

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