Manta celebrates 104 years of cantonization

The city of Manta, Ecuador, is celebrating its 104th anniversary of cantonization on November 4. The commemorations include a solemn session and a parade to honor the city's historical identity and its evolution into a major commercial, fishing, and maritime hub.

The process of cantonization began in 1922 with the formation of the Pro-Cantonization Central Committee, led by Ascario Paz Bonilla. Following a legislative project presented by Sergio Domingo Dueñas, President José Luis Tamayo signed Executive Decree No. 602 on September 29, 1922, which officially went into effect on November 4 of that year.

Manta is currently the seventh most populous city in Ecuador, with approximately 258,697 inhabitants. As the primary port in the Manabí province, its economy is driven by the fishing industry, tuna processing, commerce, and the export of products such as coffee, cacao, and tagua.