Palestina Canton has a population of 18,019,[1] and its nearby cities are Santa Lucía, Daule, Colimes and Balzar.
[2] Its location and denomination come after the treasury history of “Palestina,” named after the journeys to Palestine made by the founder, Dr. Vicente Piedrahita.
The aforementioned treasury has become the town's main source of development due to the agricultural activities carried out in this place.
The overall development reached by the population made it possible for Palestina to be deemed a rural parish of Daule's Canton under decree No.
Several historians argue that in pre-Columbian times, the current territory of the canton was inhabited by the Chonanas tribe that had formalized peace agreements with the Huancavilcas.
[3] On June 3, 1986, Luis Eduardo Robles Plaza, Minister of Government, received the request for the cantonization of Palestina.
Two years later, in 1988, Dr. Jorge Zavala Baquerizo would send the law of cantonization of Palestina to the president of that time, Mr. Leon Febres Cordero, who signed it on July 20, 1988.
The town of Palestina is located within the Ecuadorian mainland, which, in turn, is situated in the coastal region or Litoral and within the Planning and Land Management of Guayas in zone #1 along with Empalme, Balzar, Colimes.
The flora of the canton is determined mainly by rice, and complementarity teak, less cocoa, mango, tobacco, among others typical of the agro-exporting Guayas.
The fauna is characterized by native species, in the faunal reserve of the area, which is made up of fish, such as boca chico, vieja, and dama.
The type of soil is prominently clayey, silt, and sand, typical of flood zones and conducive to the cultivation of rice, corn, cocoa, etc.
In other words, smallholders, drivers, and other businesspeople group only as a requirement but they do not make up a productive, charitable and social cooperative that would provide an increase in community wellness and reduction of costs.
In 2010, the PEA of Palestina was categorized in the following sectors: As a result of the previous statistics, the population of the canton is mostly devoted to agriculture, commerce, and finally services.
[2] Rice production together with piling and mango and cacao exportation is the most important economic activity in the agricultural industry, with 55% of the total GDP.
In the festivity of “Columbus Day”, celebrated on October 12, each neighborhood competes in rodeos within their ranches and nominates their candidates for the queen.
Palestina's varied cuisine is influenced by its fauna and flora as well as the cultural traditions of the ethnic groups.
Even though the church burned down more than ten years ago, the image of the Crucified Christ remained intact.
Among its positive aspects, state intervention offers students free texts and uniforms as well as the modification of infrastructure by adding new technologies.
The schools located in Palestina Canton are the following: Universidad Agraria del Ecuador (Extension).
This is an alarming situation due to the fact that a high proportion of students is not likely to finish primary or secondary school; thus, they would never be able to reach higher education.