Manta, Ecuador - Background - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Krazy Kruizers · 12-20-2007, 08:38 AM

Even though Ecuador is one of South America’s smallest nations, it is a place of broad cultural diversity. The social quilt begins with a clear distinction between residents of the coastal region and those of the interior highlands. High sierra denizens have traditionally farmed - hunting and fishing sustained those on the coast. Since European colonization, the dissimilarities have grown more distinct, to the point that most of the nation’s contemporary artistic and cultural institutions are based in the capital, while the coastal region is the center of business and commerce. In the ports, where much of the wealth is generated, many people view Quito as a disdainful “resource drain”. Of course, a contrary view is held by many quitenos. The “feud” is one of words and attitude, but it does manifest in occasional outright prejudicial behavior.

The nation’s broad cultural diversity transcends geography. There is no true Ecuadorian “majority”. The two largest ethnic groups are mestizo, a non-distinct hybrid of European and indigenous people, and Amerindian, a broad category that includes Cofan, Saraguro, Quichua, Huaorani, and many other subgroups. Many indigenous people maintain isolated communities. Ethereal notes drift from Ecuadorian wind instruments - the Peruvian pipe is similar but distinct. Ecuadorian styles are somewhat more sorrowful than their Peruvian counterparts - some people call it “soul”.

Krazy Kruizers · 12-20-2007, 08:39 AM

Ecuador is named for its latitude and Quito, the capital since 1830, is situated on the imaginary line. Manta is the second busiest port after Guayaquil. The city retains vestiges of tradition - its graceful bay is lined with cafes and the slender peninsula that sweeps west of the city is lined with beaches. Founded in the mid-16th century along Rio Manta, which separates the community from the sister city of Tarqui, it is a conservative place with plenty of churches. Residents still recall a 1966 plane crash that destroyed the central church - the Virgin Mary inside was unscathed. Just a few miles from the coast, banana, cocoa and rice plantations spread inland all the way to the base of the sierra.

Manta may be Manabi Province’s largest city, but it is not a huge metropolis - there are only 180,000 inhabitants. Still the busy port enjoys a long and rich pre-Columbian history. Spaniards favored the thriving Mantena community, the Europeanized name is taken from this tribal name, as a natural harbor. The port’s importance grew as conquistadors began shipping hordes of looted Incan gold all along the Pacific coast. Itineraries for cargo routes had to be changed often to avoid pirate attacks, so like many of its neighbors, the port was developed into a colonial supply station. For many years after Ecuador was colonized and the gold stopped flowing, Manta languished as a traditional fishing community, but in recent years, the government has been trying to promote tourism, so new hotels and other facilities have been added. A pleasant climate is the lure, and the port sees fairly little precipitation on its 80 degree sands.

Krazy Kruizers · 12-20-2007, 08:40 AM

Residents are typically outgoing and certainly enjoy their city. There are small parks and pleasant garden refuges. Banco Central’s small, but interesting museum on Avenida 6 showcases pre-Columbian pottery, and is open weekdays until 4:30 PM. The collection of ancient artifacts dates from the 2000 year old Huancavilca-Manteno culture that once thrived along the coast.

In addition to the pretty, and increasingly popular, beaches near Manta, some of Ecuador’s forward-thinking ecological projects near the port help preserve the world’s ever-shrinking supply of natural habitat. Isla de Fragatas in Bahia de Caraquez, is a sanctuary for breeding marine birds, including a healthy population of frigate birds, many more than the Galapagos and Isla de la Plata is as well known among geneticists for its unusual species, even though it is overshadowed by the more famous archipelago. The bay and local coastline is known as the Millennium Coast and the islands are part of Manchalilla National Park, Ecuador’s only coastal preserve. The 55,000 hectare land portion of the park is also a preserve for tropical day forest and a small cloud forest. There is a small pre-Columbian archeological site in the park that is attributed to the pre-Columbian Mantena civilization and more than 200 species, including parrots and anteaters, have been identified within its protective grounds. While the term may be bit hackneyed ever since the “hype” of the 2000 New Year’s celebrations, the area is quite beautiful. Dolphins and whales play along the coast and the archaeological site at Chirije (chuh ree hay) reveals an ancient port that dates from 500 BC when Bahia people explored the Pacific Coast.

Machalilla National Park encompasses a coastal mainland stretch and 2 offshore islands, Isla de la Plata and Isla Salango. It constitutes the last remains of dry tropical forest in Ecuador and is home to a rich variety of lirdlife as well as some reptiles and mammals.