Esmeraldas

Esmeraldas (Span., 'Emeralds'), the most northerly maritime province of Ecuador, with a climate hot, moist, and on the coast unhealthy, and still largely covered with dense forest. Area, 5200 sq. m.; population, 14,600. — The capital Esmeraldas (pop. 3000), stands 10 miles from the mouth of the river of the same name, which is navigable to this point for ships drawing 16 feet of water.