Huaquillas is the border city and main entrance by land to Ecuador, located southwest of the Ecuadorian province of El Oro. It is the fourth city with the largest number of inhabitants in the province. Huaquillas, is the capital of the canton of the same name and is located on the border with Peru. An international bridge that extends over the Zarumilla River connects this town with the Peruvian district of Aguas Verdes, and is currently carrying out the construction of a new international bridge, which is located on the outskirts of the city. Both cities have an intense commercial movement both in formal establishments and through street vendors.
Likewise, in both Huaquillas and Aguas Verdes, the US dollar and the Peruvian sun circulate freely. This locality was scene of the fights that initiated the Peruvian-Ecuadorian War the 5 of July of 1941. The 8 of October of 1980 obtains its cantonization during the presidency of Jaime Roldós. Its foundation is on October 1 and is celebrated on October 6. Its current mayor is Alberto Astudillo. Its population is 47,706 inhabitants in estimate for the 2010 census. The Canton of Huaquillas is part of the Bi-national Conurbation of Huaquillas-Zarumilla where 82,227 inhabitants live in an area of 231 km2, this metropolitan area being the most populated binationally among Peru and Ecuador.