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History of Portoviejo Ecuador
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Portoviejo
was the place where the
Valdivia, Machalilla and
Chorrera cultures
settled from the "Formative Period", 3,500 BC to 500 AD. In
the Regional Development period, 500 BC to 500 AD, the
Guangala, Bahia and
Jama-Coaque cultures
settled. |
Portoviejo foundation
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It
was founded by Francisco Pacheco on March 12th, 1535. The new city, located near Charapoto, was called Villa Nueva de San Gregorio, in homage
to Gregory the Great, whose feast day was that day. |
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At the foundation, a square was created
with a wooden cross raised in the middle, with the act of
foundation on it. Given its importance, in the same year it
was raised to the category of a lieutenancy, one of the seven
lieutenancies of the Corregimiento of Guayaquil, consisting of 6 parishes:
Montecristi, Charapoto, Pichota, Jipijapa, Picoaza and Manta. |
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The foundation, which was initially made very
close to the sea, helped in the strategy of the conquest of
the Reino de Quito. |
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