Picoazá

Picoazá is an urban parish in Portoviejo Canton, Manabí Province, Ecuador. It is situated on the western side of the city of Portoviejo[1] and has a population of nearly 19,000.[2]

History

Archeological finds made in the area in 2008 suggest that Picoazá is the site of a pre-Columbian settlement.[3] In 1907, the second archaeological expedition of Marshall Howard Saville involved the exploration of caves around Picoazá,[4] and in particular the Cerro Jaboncilla and Cerro de Hojas sites, which are 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from Picoazá. They provided many important artefacts to Saville. Picoazá was itself the site of a Manteño chiefdom, according to early colonial sources,[5] and contained quantities of characteristic Manteño pottery and large stone foundations.[6] It was split into four major settlements, with the chief of the principal settlement overlord.[5] The archeological site was declared a national cultural patrimony in 2009.[2]

Tourism and demographics

This part of Manabí Province is known for its cuisine, fine beaches, and ceibo trees, which are unique to the region. Picoazá is also a commercial center, distributing agricultural products and consumer goods.[7]

The average family income in Picoazá is about US$120 per month.[8] The town has inadequate potable water, sewers, and telephone service.[2]

Politics

An incident involving a fictitious write-in candidacy occurred in the town in 1967. A company ran a series of campaign-themed advertisements for a foot powder called Pulvapies. Some of the slogans used included "Vote for any candidate, but if you want well-being and hygiene, vote for Pulvapies", and "For Mayor: Honorable Pulvapies." The foot powder Pulvapies ended up receiving the most votes in the election.[9][10][11] A followup story from United Press International said that "Reports that Pulvapies had been elected mayor of the coastal town of Picoaza were not true. The election in the town was for municipal councilmen, not for mayor."; the problem had arisen from the nationwide distribution of distributing advertising flyers that were "the same size and color as the official ballots", and an estimated 10,000 had been turned in at ballot boxes in place of the ballots with multiple candidates, mostly in Quito and Guayaquil.[12]

gollark: Nope!
gollark: It's hard to tell, but not really.
gollark: Anyway, it sounds pretty much like every other "managing networks and computer systems at some large organization" job.
gollark: It's some sort of businessy social network.
gollark: I found his LinkedIn profile using advanced "duckduckgoing the username" technology.

References
  1. The Picoazá website. Retrieved on March 26, 2010.
  2. http://www.expreso.ec/ediciones/2009/06/04/generales/revolucion-llega-a-la-arqueologia/default.asp?fecha=2009/06/04
  3. Hallazgo arqueológico en Picoazá Retrieved on March 26, 2010.
  4. Silverman, H., Isbell, W. Handbook of South American Archaeology. p. 512. Retrieved 28 March 2010.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Peregrine, P. N.; et al. (2001). Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Middle America. 5. p. 307. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  6. Peregrine (2001) p.320
  7. KIVA micro-bank Retrieved on March 26, 2010.
  8. Project Picoazá Retrieved on March 26, 2010.
  9. "Foot Powder Produces Headaches in Ecuador." The New York Times. July 18, 1967. Page 39. Retrieved on December 19, 2009.
  10. Snopes report on the election result
  11. "News Briefs- Foreign", Chicago Tribune, July 18, 1967, p3
  12. "Ad Campaign for Footpowder Stirs Trouble", Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 20, 1967, p27

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