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Manta Ecuador

Ecuador is a completely safe nation, but like all other countries, there are specific areas that must not be visited by travelers. In terms of attractions, the country has a lot to offer to savvy travelers. If you are planning to come to Ecuador for a weekend or summer getaway/vacation, bear in mind that it is important that you always keep an eye on all your personal belongings and learn about the surroundings. In particular, Manta is one of the most renowned cities in Ecuador, being its fifth largest city in terms of total land area. The following is a list of things that you should look forward to, when visiting the city.

Facts about Manta Ecuador

Manta is home to the largest seaport in the country. The said port was utilized by Charles Marie de La Condamine when he arrived in Ecuador to lead the French mission for measuring the equator’s location in 1735. With Manta as his point of origin, Charles began his travel inland going to Quito. The city features an international cargo airport named Eloy Alfaro Int’l Airport and a significant military base named Eloy Alfaro Air Base or simply, Manta Air Base. From 1999 to 2009, this military base was utilized by the air forces of the United States to promote surveillance flights and anti-narcotic military activities versus the drug trafficking cartels of Colombia. The government of Ecuador did not approve the lease for renewal.

One of the things that made Manta a globally recognized city is its famous international film festival that highlights groups from various places all over the world. As a matter of fact, a famous actor in Ecuador named Carlos Valencia was once invited to attend the Cannes Film Festival for his highly commended performance in the film ‘Ratas Ratones y Rateros 1999’, of which the director was Sebastian Cordero, an Ecuadorian born in Quito.