Salinas history

Foundation and Historical Roots

The history of Salinas runs much deeper than the date of its official administrative establishment. The territory of the modern city, located on the Santa Elena Peninsula, was inhabited as far back as the times of ancient Pre-Columbian civilizations. Salinas received official recognition as a canton on 22 December 1937, yet the settlement existed long before that.

The city owes its name to the natural features of the area: vast salt mines (salinas in Spanish), which served as a vital resource source for the region for centuries.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small village into a thriving city was driven by a unique combination of geographical and economic factors:

• Geography: The city is located at the westernmost tip of mainland Ecuador (La Puntilla). This strategic position provided direct access to the ocean and currents rich in fish.
• Natural Resources: The presence of extensive salt flats determined the settlement's early specialization as a salt extraction centre.
• Climate: The dry and sunny climate of the peninsula subsequently became the foundation for the city's transformation into the country's premier seaside resort.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before the tourism boom in the mid-20th century, the economy and lifestyle of Salinas were traditional for coastal Ecuador.

• Salt Extraction: This was the primary industry, providing employment for the local population and forming trade links with other regions.
• Fishing: A traditional trade that fed the residents and served as the basis for the local gastronomy.
• Ancient Heritage: Artifacts of the Valdivia culture have been found in this region, indicating that this land was a centre for the processing and trade of valuable Spondylus shells thousands of years before the Common Era.

Chronology of Key Events

• 3500–1500 BC — The territory of the modern city is inhabited by the Valdivia culture, engaged in fishing and shell gathering.
• 1929 — Salinas receives the status of a rural parish (parroquia) within the canton of Santa Elena.
• 1936 — Construction of the railway connecting Salinas with Guayaquil is completed, marking the beginning of mass tourism.
• 22 December 1937 — Salinas is officially proclaimed a separate canton by decree of Supreme Chief Alberto Enríquez Gallo.
• 1940 — The Salinas Yacht Club is founded, becoming a centre of attraction for water sports enthusiasts and the elite.
• 1940s — The Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields company develops the infrastructure of the Chipipe district, building housing for employees and roads.
• 1946 — The Naval Academy opens in the city, becoming an important educational and strategic facility.
• 1970s — A boom in the construction of high-rise buildings along the coast begins, shaping the modern "skyscraper" skyline of the resort.
• 7 November 2007 — The city becomes part of the newly formed province of Santa Elena, administratively separating from the Guayas province.
• 2014 — A large-scale reconstruction of the boardwalk (Malecón) is completed, significantly improving the pedestrian zone and beach access.

Stages of Urban Transformation

The development of Salinas is a journey from a fishing settlement to Ecuador's main seaside resort. Below are the key milestones that defined the economic and architectural character of the modern city:

• Launch of Railway Service (1936):
  The opening of the line connecting the coast with Guayaquil became the main economic driver of the early 20th century. The railway turned an isolated fishing village into an accessible holiday destination, initiating mass tourism and the formation of the hospitality business.
• Administrative Autonomy (1937):
  Obtaining canton status allowed local authorities to independently manage revenues from salt mining and tourism. This decision became the foundation for independent urban planning and the development of municipal infrastructure.
• Infrastructure Contribution by Oil Companies (1940s):
  The presence of the Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields company in the Chipipe area led to the construction of quality roads, residential quarters, and social facilities. This set high standards of urbanization that distinguished Salinas from other coastal settlements of that time.
• Creation of the Naval Cluster (1946):
  The opening of the Naval Academy not only raised the city's strategic status but also influenced its cultural environment. The influx of cadets and officers stimulated year-round demand for services, smoothing out the seasonality of the tourism economy.
• Vertical Urbanization (1970s – 1990s):
  During this period, a boom in the construction of high-rise buildings began on the prime coastline. This urban planning decision forever changed the city's panorama, creating the image of an "Ecuadorian Miami" and reorienting the real estate market towards elite apartments and second residences.
• Creation of Santa Elena Province (2007):
  The administrative separation of the region from the Guayas province allowed for the redistribution of budget flows. For Salinas, this meant large-scale investments in sanitation infrastructure, water supply, and roads necessary to support the growing flow of tourists.
• Modernization of Public Spaces (2010s):
  The comprehensive reconstruction of the waterfront (Malecón) was an important step in modern landscaping. The project transformed the chaotic beach zone into an organized pedestrian space, increasing the level of comfort and safety for holidaymakers.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The architecture of Salinas represents a visual history of the transformation of a traditional fishing settlement into Ecuador's premier seaside resort. The urban fabric of the city is clearly divided into zones reflecting different stages of development: from low-rise villas of the mid-20th century to modern skyscrapers forming a recognizable "vertical" skyline along the coast, often compared to Miami.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

The development of the city can be roughly divided into three key stages, each leaving its mark on the appearance of the streets:

• Traditional Coastal Architecture (pre-1930s):
  Initially, the development consisted of simple structures typical of the Ecuadorian coast. Local materials were used: bamboo (caña guadúa) and wood. Today, this style has been practically displaced by modern development and is preserved only in remote peripheral zones.
• Tropical Functionalism and "Anglo" Influence (1940–1960s):
  With the arrival of the Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields company, features of orderly planning appeared in the architecture. In the Chipipe district and old quarters, one can find villas and chalets of that era: wide verandas for ventilation, wooden facades, and pitched roofs. This style combined comfort with adaptation to the hot climate.
• Resort Modernism and International Style (from the 1970s):
  The construction boom era brought reinforced concrete and glass to Salinas. Modernism became the dominant style, focused on maximizing view characteristics. The buildings appear as tall white prisms with deep balcony-terraces that protect against direct sunlight.

Iconic Districts and Defining Elements

The look of Salinas is formed not so much by individual monument buildings, but by cohesive districts, each possessing its own atmosphere:

• San Lorenzo District (San Lorenzo):
  The heart of the modern city. The highest density of development is concentrated here. The architecture is represented by multi-storey condominiums (from 15 to 20+ floors) lined up along the coastline. This is a district of white concrete, panoramic glazing, and modern tourist infrastructure.
• Chipipe District (Chipipe):
  Located south of San Lorenzo, it is considered more traditional and tranquil. Mid-rise development and private villas prevail here. The architecture retains a more "domestic" scale, characteristic of the early stages of resort development.
• Malecón (The Promenade):
  The main urban axis uniting the beach zone and the city development. After reconstruction, the promenade became an example of modern landscape urbanism with organized pedestrian zones, palm avenues, and small architectural forms.

Distinguished Personalities in the History of Salinas

The history of the city and canton of Salinas is inextricably linked with the names of statesmen, military figures, and pioneers who contributed to its establishment as a major resort and strategic centre of Ecuador. Below are key figures who left a noticeable mark on the city's chronicles.

• Alberto Enríquez Gallo
  Role: Supreme Chief of Ecuador (1937–1938), General.
  Considered the "father" of the city's administrative independence. It was he who, on 22 December 1937, signed the historic decree on the cantonization of Salinas, separating it from the canton of Santa Elena. This decision gave the city the opportunity to independently manage its resources and develop tourism infrastructure.
• José Luis Tamayo
  Role: President of Ecuador (1920–1924), Lawyer.
  A native of the Santa Elena Peninsula (city of Chanduy), he spent the last years of his life in Salinas, where he passed away in 1947. The city's main promenade — the Malecón — is named in his honour. Tamayo was an active supporter of the development of coastal regions and a symbol of the peninsula's political significance.
• Rafael Morán Valverde
  Role: Commander, National Hero of the Ecuadorian Navy.
  Although not a native of the city, his name is inextricably linked to Salinas thanks to the Naval Academy (ESSUNA) located here, which bears his name. The presence of this educational institution since the 1940s has shaped the unique naval culture of the city and its status as the "maritime capital" of the country.
• Camilo Gallegos Domínguez
  Role: First Chairman of the Municipal Council.
  He became the first head of the local administration after Salinas received canton status. In 1938, he led the first city council, laying the foundations for municipal management, public utilities, and urban planning at a time when the city was just beginning its path to prosperity.
• Ulpiano Páez
  Role: General, Figure of the Liberal Revolution.
  The Salinas airport is named in honour of this distinguished military man and associate of Eloy Alfaro. Páez played an important role in the modernization of the country in the early 20th century. The airport's name highlights the strategic importance of the city as a key transport hub on the Pacific coast.