133 Quito, Ecuador Facts About The City up In The Sky

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador in South America.

It is located at an elevation of 9350 ft (2850 m) above sea level and is therefore considered the second-highest capital city officially in the world. In 1978, UNESCO first declared Quito a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Quito is the second-largest city in Ecuador, with a population strength of more than two million people. Ecuador is the best-preserved historic center in entire South America that has not undergone any significant change, and Quito occupies an area of 320 hectares (790 acres).

With more than 130 monuments and 5000 historical properties, Quito is regarded as an important historic center of Latin America.

Present on the eastern side of the Pichincha active volcano, this city is on a large plateau in the valley of the Guayllabamba river basin. Quito is also the only capital city in the world that is directly intimidated by active volcanoes.

Many records of the volcanic eruption are found, of which the eruption in the year 1600 was the largest, followed by three more eruptions in the 19th century. Smoke and ash deposits covered the entire city, thereby jeopardizing the lives of the natives residing there.

Owing to the excessive volcanic smoke and the city's high elevation, many people find it difficult to breathe and suffer from altitude sickness. It is also known to receive a significant amount of solar radiation, with a record of a UV index of 24.

Despite such issues, many tourists are visiting Quito from all over the world and enjoying the scenic mountain views and the cool climate. Keep on reading to find out more fascinating facts about Quito.

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Fun Facts About Quito Ecuador

Quito, one of the most charming cities in the world located at such a significant elevation, offers marvelous sightseeing. The Mitad del Mundo, meaning the Equator, located at San Antonio just over 200 km north of Quito, is extremely popular. The Summit of Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador, is located southwest of the city of Quito.

Quito lies in between the beautiful Andean ranges. Its official name is San Francisco de Quito, nicknamed Florence of the Americas.

Modern Quito still displays European influence and indigenous art, numerous shopping centers, burgeoning businesses, and the most popular bars. The well-known streets in Quito are Avenida Amazonas and Chiva Don Otto, which bestow some of the best night out experiences in Ecuador.

One of the busiest airports in South America is Mariscal Sucre Airport, which is the international airport of Quito. It is present at the east of Quito and was built in 2013. It is at an elevation of 7874 ft (2377 m), and more than 5,000,000 people budge through this airport every year.

Apart from Pichincha, Cotopaxi is another active volcano located to the south of Quito. It erupted recently in August 2015, which lasted till January 2016. Other active volcanoes that encompass the city are Atacazo, Illiniza, Cayambe, Antisana, Pululahua, and Sincholagua.

Quito is the second most populated city despite the active volcanoes, followed by Guayaquil in Ecuador. Only two seasons prevail in the city; the dry season continues from June to September and the wet season from October to May.

The climate here is at par with the spring climate of Northern America. Because of the close proximity to the actual equator, Quito experiences 12 hours of daytime all year round, with the sun rising and setting at the same time (somewhere between 6-6:30).

Quito hosts the 16th century spectacular Roman Catholic complex, the Church and Monastery of St. Francis, a popular historical center that attracts many tourists all year round. It is regarded as the most significant architectural structure in Latin America.

One of the significant landmarks of Quito, Ecuador, is the old town of El Panecillo lying in the middle west. The magnificent statue of La Virgin de Quito, which was constructed during the mid 19th century, is present here.

The angelic wings, the crown of stars, and the chained dragon imparts an awe-inspiring look to the town.

The central square of Quito is Independence Square, which honors the heroes who fought valiantly against the Spanish monarchy in the year 1809. August 10 of this year is marked as the First Cry of Independence of the Royal Audience of Quito.

Quito is also the first city that houses the largest neo-gothic basilica in America, the Basilica of the National Vow, whose construction began in 1883 and is still considered unfinished. The best-decorated church in this city is the Church of the Society of Jesus, also called 'la Compañía' colloquially.

This church's magnificent wood carvings with gilded plaster, profusely decorated with gold leaf, is indeed a view to cherish.

Historical Facts About Quito

The city of Quito was a political frontier and a trade center for diverse cultures that have evolved much before the Incan rule in 1492. Later in 1534, the Spanish lieutenant, Sebastián de Belalcázar, defeated and took over the Incan empire. He thus founded Quito on December 6, 1534.

After that, the Spanish colonial government in Quito, Ecuador, came into being. They built the first art school in Quito in 1552.

During this period, art, sculpture, and paintings flourished greatly, and the Spanish empire reached its peak with the bountiful architecture that is unparalleled even today. The primary threat that this city faced was earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Spanish landowners made the native people slaves, and the feudal system suffered immensely during this era.

The Spanish rule in Quito continued for about 300 years, and after a long struggle, the country of Ecuador became independent on May 24, 1822. From this year until the end of 1830, Ecuador joined with Venezuela and Colombia and became a part of the Gran Colombia nation.

But this allied force did not continue for long. Since the early 19th century, it became a democratic country and became known as the Republic of Ecuador.

Ecuador was involved in a conflict with Peru for several decades. The first fight between the two countries broke out in 1941, which ended following the Rio Protocol, an international agreement signed between the two opponents on January 29, 1942.

Again the fight broke out in 1981, followed by another conflict in 1995, which hampered the peace treaty.

Finally, the battle between the two came to an end in 1999, after the border demarcation took place. A strange consequence of this treaty, which is under much debate, is that approximately a square kilometer of the Peruvian territory is under the jurisdiction of Ecuador, whose military base is secured there.

Facts About Quito's Culture

Quito displays a vibrant culture with the influence of Spain. Ecuador hosts a wonderful mix of cultures with their unique customs. People from many parts of the world reside here, imparting a rich heterogeneity of traditions. Ecuador is also home to Quechuans, Indians, Mestizos, and Africans, aside from the overwhelming Spanish-speaking Catholics.

The working-class population in central northern Quito is increasing every year. People from all over the world cherish the scenic beauty and the cool climate of this city. The official language is Spanish, and tourists can face difficulty spotting English-speaking natives.

The rural areas of Ecuador house several Quechuans who can speak Spanish as well. Quito is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in America. Schools in this city teach English as a compulsory subject.

In terms of religion, small groups of Christians and Jews reside in Quito. Most of the Ecuadorians are from a Roman Catholic background.

However, the country gives religious freedom to its residents, who practice their own customs with great devotion. Christmas and Easter days are celebrated by every Ecuadorian, which makes Quito a popular destination among tourists during these times of the year.

Several acts, like the Posadas, are performed by the natives on Christmas Eve. The families enjoy ham and turkey dinner, and the entire city of Quito lights up with utmost joy.

Art and architecture are well known in Quito, Ecuador. Some of the most famed painters in the world were born here.

Oswaldo Guayasamin, Juan Montalvo, Camilo Egas, Juan Benigno Vela, Juan Leon Mera and Manuel Rendon are some of the most talented artists of all time.

Otavalo, located to the north of Quito, has the largest native markets, where beautifully woven tapestries, clothes, leatherwork, meticulously carved wooden crafts, and a stunning collection of jewelry is found. These markets are well worth a visit if you are exploring this area of Ecuador.

Facts About Quito's Economy

Quito's economy is primarily dependant on banana and oil exports. The economy of Ecuador is considered to be the 69th largest in the world and the 8th largest in Latin America.

Apart from oil and banana, several other agricultural products and shrimp and gold businesses are also flourishing every year. It has a large number of petroleum resources, which accounts for a lucrative 32 percent of the country's total export earnings.

Ecuador is also known for being the largest exporter of bananas and earns a great deal of profit from its aquaculture as well.

Shrimp, canned fish, cut flowers, textiles, and processed food also contribute a lot to the country's economy. Further, the development of technology has boosted the growth of multitudes of industries in Ecuador, thereby resulting in high-profit margins.

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