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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.
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