city, west-central Ecuador, on the southern shore of the Babahoyo River, a major branch of the Guayas River. A processing and trade centre for the surrounding agricultural region, the city handles rice, sugarcane, fruits, balsa wood, and tagua nuts (vegetable ivory). Rice and sugar are milled, and there is also a government-owned distillery making alcohol, ether, and perfume. A technical university was established in 1971. Pop. (2001) 76,869.