Why did the coastal region of Ecuador develop differently from the Sierra during colonial rule?

During the colonial period, the coastal region (Costa) and the highland region (Sierra) of Ecuador developed along distinct paths due to environmental and demographic factors.

In the Sierra, the Spanish established a system of large estates worked by Indigenous peons, creating a society centered on administrative and religious hubs like Quito. This region focused on textile production and the development of religious and artistic institutions.12

Conversely, the tropical Costa was significantly impacted by introduced diseases, which caused high mortality rates and rendered the area unhealthy for much of the colonial era. Consequently, the region was somewhat neglected by colonial authorities. This environment led to a different social structure characterized by a smaller population of enslaved people, free Blacks, and mixed ethnicities. With more vacant land and less labor coercion than in the Sierra, the coastal region developed a unique culture and economy, primarily focused on shipbuilding and the export of cacao through the port of Guayaquil.12