As gold mining fell in value, El Oro province became the major area of banana production in Ecuador.

To the west and south it is limited by the Pacific Ocean and the Peruvian Tumbes Region.

Around 715,751 people live in the orense territory, according to the demographic projection of the INEC for 2020, being the sixth most populated province in the country.

The Province of El Oro is made up of 14 cantons, from which their respective urban and rural parishes are derived.

Ethnic groups as of the Ecuadorian census of 2010:[4] El Oro economy is mainly based on export of banana and shrimp.

The following table lists each with its population at the 2001 census, its area in square kilometres (km2), and the name of the canton seat or capital.