Durán, Ecuador
Encyclopedia
Durán, also known as Eloy Alfaro, is a city
located in the province of Guayas, Ecuador
, near the junction between the Daule & Babahoyo rivers, and where the Guayas River
forms. This town is the capital of the Durán canton, which was created in 1986 by a local government decree. The town is officially named "Eloy Alfaro" for the Ecuadorian ex-president
Eloy Alfaro Delgado.
As of the 2001 Ecuadoran census
, there were 178,714 people residing within the canton limits. Durán is part of Guayaquil's metropolitan area
. Most of its residents are commuters to other places, hence it is known as a "dormitory town". The towns of Duran, Samborondon, and Guayaquil are connected by the bridge Rafael Mendoza Avilés.
Durán is also well known for being the first (one of the) railroad hub cities in Ecuador. As of July, 2007, there were government programs in place to reactivate the railroad located on this town, and also the railroads connecting Duran with other cities located in the highlands of Ecuador.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
located in the province of Guayas, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, near the junction between the Daule & Babahoyo rivers, and where the Guayas River
Guayas River
The Guayas River is a river in western Ecuador. It gives name to the Guayas Province, and it is the most important river in South America that does not flow into the Atlantic Ocean or any of its seas. Its total length, including the Daule River, is 389 km.-Course:The Guayas River has one of...
forms. This town is the capital of the Durán canton, which was created in 1986 by a local government decree. The town is officially named "Eloy Alfaro" for the Ecuadorian ex-president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Eloy Alfaro Delgado.
As of the 2001 Ecuadoran census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 178,714 people residing within the canton limits. Durán is part of Guayaquil's metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
. Most of its residents are commuters to other places, hence it is known as a "dormitory town". The towns of Duran, Samborondon, and Guayaquil are connected by the bridge Rafael Mendoza Avilés.
Durán is also well known for being the first (one of the) railroad hub cities in Ecuador. As of July, 2007, there were government programs in place to reactivate the railroad located on this town, and also the railroads connecting Duran with other cities located in the highlands of Ecuador.