MACAS

town, southeastern Ecuador. It lies on the Upano River along the eastern slopes of the Andes, at an elevation of 3,445 feet (1,050 m). Founded by the Spanish captain Jos Villanueva Maldonado in the mid-16th century as the city of Sevilla del Oro (Golden Seville), it was a large settlement for several decades and prospered by the exploitation of nearby alluvial gold deposits. After its destruction by a Jvaro Indian insurrection in 1599, it was refounded as Macas but never again regained its former size or importance. The town is now a local agricultural trade centre for cassava, bananas, papayas, coffee, and cacao. Pop. (1983 est.) 3,433.