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Macas
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Macas

Ecuador
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Also known as: Sevilla del Oro
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Article History

Macas, town, southeastern Ecuador. It lies on the Upano River along the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains, at an elevation of 3,445 feet (1,050 metres). Founded by the Spanish captain José Villanueva Maldonado in the mid-16th century as the city of Sevilla del Oro (“Golden Seville”), it was a large settlement for several decades and prospered by the exploitation of nearby alluvial gold deposits. After its destruction by a Shuar Indian insurrection in 1599, it was refounded as Macas but never again regained its former size or importance. The town is now a local agricultural trade centre for cassava (manioc), bananas, papayas, coffee, and cacao. It is the site of a modern cathedral and a centre of Roman Catholic Salesian missionary activity for the large Shuar population. It is connected by air to Quito. Pop. (2001) 13,602; (2010) 18,984.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.