View source for Portal:The Peninsula

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<!-- ================================================
     PORTAL: THE PENINSULA — MASTHEAD
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<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.45); margin-bottom:12px;">[[Main Page|EcuaWiki]] › The Peninsula</div>

<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:2.6em; font-weight:bold; letter-spacing:2px; line-height:1; margin-bottom:8px;">The Peninsula <span style="font-style:italic; font-weight:normal; color:#81d4fa;">La Península</span></div>

<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:0.9em; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.65); max-width:560px; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:24px;">The westernmost point of mainland Ecuador — three cities, dozens of fishing villages, eight thousand years of human history, and the most diverse stretch of Pacific coast in the country.</div>

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<div style="font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold; color:#81d4fa; line-height:1;">200K+</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.4); margin-top:2px;">Urban population</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold; color:#81d4fa; line-height:1;">3</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.4); margin-top:2px;">Cantons</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold; color:#81d4fa; line-height:1;">15 km</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.4); margin-top:2px;">Coastline (Salinas)</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.5em; font-weight:bold; color:#81d4fa; line-height:1;">8,000 yrs</div>
<div style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:9px; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.4); margin-top:2px;">Human history</div>
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     THE THREE CANTONS
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== The Three Cantons ==

The Santa Elena Peninsula is administered as three cantons (municipalities) within Santa Elena Province. They form a continuous urban conglomeration known locally as "La Península."

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<div style="font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:6px;">[[Salinas|Salinas Canton]]</div>
<div style="color:#555; font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:10px;">Ecuador's most famous beach resort. The westernmost canton, combining tourism, fishing, salt production, and the Naval Base at La Chocolatera.</div>
<div style="font-size:0.85em;">'''Population:''' 86,801 (2022)<br/>'''Key places:''' [[La Chocolatera]], Chipipe, Anconcito<br/>'''Cantonized:''' 1937</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:6px;">[[La Libertad|La Libertad Canton]]</div>
<div style="color:#555; font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:10px;">The commercial and industrial heart of the peninsula. The largest city, busiest fishing port, and transport hub connecting the coast to Guayaquil.</div>
<div style="font-size:0.85em;">'''Population:''' ~100,000 (est.)<br/>'''Key places:''' Terminal Terrestre, El Paseo Mall<br/>'''Cantonized:''' 1993</div>
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<div style="font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:6px;">[[Santa Elena (City)|Santa Elena Canton]]</div>
<div style="color:#555; font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:10px;">The provincial capital and largest canton by area. Home to the Las Vegas culture archaeological site and the famous Amantes de Sumpa museum.</div>
<div style="font-size:0.85em;">'''Population:''' ~150,000 (est.)<br/>'''Key places:''' [[Amantes de Sumpa]], [[Ancón]], Chanduy<br/>'''Cantonized:''' 1839</div>
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     SURROUNDING TOWNS & VILLAGES
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== Towns & Villages ==

Beyond the three main cities, the peninsula includes a ring of smaller towns and fishing villages:

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; Salinas Canton
* [[Anconcito]] — major artisanal fishing port south of Salinas
* [[Ancón]] — historic oil town; Ecuador's first commercial well (1911)
* [[Ballenita]] — coastal town with clifftop whale watching
* [[Baños de San Vicente]] — thermal baths and mud pools inland
; La Libertad Canton
* [[La Libertad]] — commercial capital, transport hub
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; Santa Elena Canton
* [[Santa Elena (City)|Santa Elena]] — provincial capital
* [[Chanduy]] — fishing village and Chanduy salt flats
* [[Punta Blanca]] — remote beach and surf break
* [[Baños de San Vicente]] — geothermal springs near Santa Elena
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     EXPLORE BY TOPIC
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== Explore by Topic ==

=== Outdoor Activities ===

The peninsula offers a wide range of water sports, nature activities, and land-based outdoor pursuits. See: [[Outdoor Activities (La Peninsula)]]

* [[Surfing (La Peninsula)|Surfing]] · [[Whale Watching (La Peninsula)|Whale Watching]] · [[Birdwatching (La Peninsula)|Birdwatching]]
* [[Snorkeling (La Peninsula)|Snorkeling]] · [[Scuba Diving (La Peninsula)|Scuba Diving]] · [[Kayaking (La Peninsula)|Kayaking]]
* [[Stand-Up Paddleboarding (La Peninsula)|Stand-Up Paddleboarding]] · [[Swimming (La Peninsula)|Swimming]]
* [[Fishing (La Peninsula)|Fishing]] · [[Deep Sea Fishing (La Peninsula)|Deep Sea Fishing]]

=== Living & Practical ===

Guides for residents, long-term visitors, and expats. See: [[Living & Practical (La Peninsula)]]

* [[ATM & Banking]] · [[Medical Services]] · [[Internet Service Providers]]
* [[Supermarkets]] · [[Taxis and Taxi Apps]] · [[Emergency Contacts]]
* [[Police & Security]]

=== Places of Interest ===

* [[La Chocolatera]] — Ecuador's westernmost point; two ocean currents meet
* [[Amantes de Sumpa]] — 8,000-year-old burial site; Las Vegas culture
* [[Whale Watching Season]] — humpbacks June–September offshore

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     CATEGORIES
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[[Category:Portals]]
[[Category:La Peninsula]]
[[Category:Santa Elena Province]]
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