Tourist attractions of Quito
 Quito, the Metropolitan District and capital
of the Republic of Ecuador, finds itself between a contemporary
and a colonial city that is constantly being built each day.
The modern structure mixes with the crossbreeding and colonial
heritage where both national residents and foreign visitors always
find a place to work, enjoy and remember.
Located in the Andes mountain range 2.800 meters above sea level,
Quito occupies a plateau of 12.000 square kilometers. Its
environmental temperature oscillates between 50 to 77 degrees
Fahrenheit (10 to 25 centigrade degrees).
The climatic contrasts that are presented during the course of a
day, allows one to enjoy the four seasons of the year around the
clock - as if having eternal spring. Also, the city is surrounded by
the Cotopaxi volcano and Pichincha, Antizana, Cayambe volcanoes that
make up the majestic Andean contour.
Quito, full of meanings that identify and define it, occupies
hillsides and valleys. It winds through narrow streets and opens up
in wide avenues. It zigzags around hills and gulches. Because of
this physical beauty, its traditions, mystic corners and valuable
legends, it is considered ¨Reliquary of the American Art¨. Because
of these main characteristics, in November of 1978, Quito was
declared by UNESCO as the ¨Cultural Heritage of Humanity¨.
Erected in the ruins of an ancient aborigine center of the Shyris
Indians and founded by the Spaniards on December 6th of 1534, Quito
is divided into three areas defined by their intricate geography and
each area is characterized by their architectural contrasts and
cultural particularities. In the north we find modern Quito, where
big urban and commercial structures are erected: the Old center of
Quito gathers the colonial and artistic legacy and it offers a
captivating atmosphere when religious processions and cultural
events are being held. In the south sector you can locate a nucleus
of juvenile expression that impels new culture forms and social
interaction. Also, Quito is crossed from north to south by one
imaginary urbanization which is characterized by a new spine: the
¨trolley¨ (Integrated System of Trolebus Transport) that has
modified and activated the whole communication system found in the
district.
The city, in the last few years, has been subject to a great
urbanization change that extends towards the north, south, the
Valleys of Tumbaco (northeast) and Los Chillos (southeast). This has
allowed a remarkable economic and population growth that has
generated advances in the industry, economy, trade and hotel
industry. It has also configured new actors and new social demands.
This demanded from the local government a geographical and
administrative reorganization, and that of government conduction of
the city.
In Quito today nearly two million inhabitants inside 65 central and
suburban metropolitan parishes coexist together. They have chosen it
as their residence, making ¨The Face of God¨ a city where the social
diversity is appreciated and conforms the country. |
