Ecuador Cities by Population 2024

Situated in the foothills of the Andeans at an elevation of 2,850 meters (making it the second-highest capital city in the world after Laz Paz in Bolivia), Ecuador's capital city of Quito is known for its Spanish colonial center, particularly its sixteenth and seventeenth century palaces and religious sites, many of which remain intact today. Quito is also known for being the capital city that is closest to the equator. The city has a population of approximately 1.4 million and, although it serves as an important political, economic and cultural center, it is not the most populous city in Ecuador.

Ecuador's largest city by population is Guayaquil, which has around two million residents and is home to the nation's main port. Guayaquil is located on the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The city of Cuenca is Ecuador's third-largest city and is situated in the highlands at an elevation of 2,560 meters above sea level. Cuenca, with its population of 400,000 in the urban area and 700,000 in the wider metropolitan area, is regarded as being Ecuador's most European city. It retains many historical buildings from the Spanish colonial period and its city center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.