Quito is Ecuador's capital at about 2,850m above sea level and is only 25 km away from the equator. Surrounded by marvellous mountains and volcanoes it enjoys views to the snow-capped volcanoes like Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe. It has a wonderful spring-like weather, warm during the day and rather cool at night. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7°C (55°F) at night to 26°C (78°F) at noon. There are two seasons, wet and dry; the dry is considered summer and lasts from end-June to September. Because of the altitude, visitors may initially feel some discomfort and should slow their pace the first 24 hours.
Quito is the second highest city after La Paz in Latin America. It was an Inca city. In 1533, the Inca General Rumiñahui destroyed Quito so that it would not fall into the hands of the advancing conquistadors. Just a year later, after the Spanish conquered the Inca, Sebastián de Benalcázar, Pizarro´s lieutenant, began rebuilding Quito from the rubble Rumiñahui left behind.
In 1978 UNESCO declared Quito's colonial centre as one of the world's cultural heritage sites. Quito is nowadays a city of two halves, called the "Colonial Quito" or Old City and the modern part, the New City. The Old City remains much the same as it did at the end of the colonial period, while new Quito, with its gleaming office buildings and bustling crowds of business people, is leading Ecuador into the twenty first century. It is worth exploring both parts of Quito!
The best way to see Colonial Quito is to walk its narrow streets. Don't miss Calle Morales, main street of La Ronda district, one of the oldest streets in the city. In the Parque Almeda you find the oldest astronomical observatory in South America.
On the Plaza San Francisco is the great church and monastery of the patron saint of Quito, San Francisco, the earliest religious foundation in South America. There are altogether 86 churches in Quito. The stunning Jesuit church La Compaña you find in Calle Garcia Moreno. It has the most ornate and richly sculptured façade and interior. From the Panecillo hill you have an excellent view over the city and surrounding volcanoes. But beware of pickpockets.
There are numerous fine museums in Quito. Modern Quito extends northwards into a wide plain. You find there broad avenues, fine residences, parks, embassies, villas and shopping centres.
The area around Avenida Amazonas comprises most of Quito's modern business and tourist area. You find there anything from banks, travel agencies, airlines, hotels and souvenir shops to excellent restaurants, bookshops and galleries well worth seeing. |
