 Straddling the equator, the country of Ecuador covers a variety of distinct climactic regions, including coastal plains, dense, tropical forests and cool highlands. The nation’s culture mirrors the diversity of its landscape, and like much of South America, Ecuador is a mixture of the influence of Spanish colonialism – evident in many beautiful, well-preserved 17th and 18th century buildings – with the resilient customs and traditions of the pre-Columbian peoples. Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, lies at nearly 10,000 feet and is surrounded by the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Due to its altitude, the inhabitants of Quito enjoy moderate weather all year. Two cities in one, Quito’s brick streets in the historical section blend into the tree-lined avenues of the new city (New Town), and visitors have easy access to both colonial mansions and churches, as well as modern hotels and museums, all in the same small, accessible area.
Things to do on a visit to Quito:
- Visit the Casa de la Cultura or the many artisan markets in the New City sector.
- Go to a movie at a local art movie house in the cultural districts of the New City.
- Take a weeklong trip to the Galapagos Islands and go swimming with marine iguanas and sea turtles.
- Take a day trip to the Andes region north of Quito to visit the famous Otavalo indigenous market.
- Spend a weekend at Antisana Ecological Reserve, a private reserve southeast of Quito that is home to a number of endangered species.
- Visit the Museum of the Banco Central, the Metropolitan Cultural Center, or one of the other well-known art museums that have earned Quito the nickname of the "Florence of America."
- Try to catch your breath while climbing Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, a few hours from the city.
- Hike up Panecillo Hill in the Old City district for a view of the city and the winged, Virgin of the Apocalypse, famed to protect Quito from the surrounding volcanoes.
- Take a trip to the nearby Mindo-Nambillo Protected Cloud Forest, famed for its unique and abundant biodiversity.
- Relax for a day in the Papallacta Hotsprings, just an hour outside of Quito.
- Visit the Equator line and stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere. Step inside the equator museum and learn how the original scientists calculated the line; then go next door to the indigenous museum to the “real” equator, where the GSM satellite system now claims it falls, to see how the local indigenous tribes more accurately calculated the line years beforehand!
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Daily Life in Quito
 Everyday life in Quito reflects the nation’s dual cultural heritage – for example, business suits and aboriginal dress are seen among crowds on the streets. Despite the large urban population, Quito has managed to maintain a strong sense of community and a small-town feel, furthered by the fact that the city has been able to keep many indigenous cultural traditions alive. Typically, quiteños begin their working day early and end in the late afternoon. Dinner is usually eaten around 7PM; Ecuadorian food, which also draws from both modern and historical traditions, is very diverse, varying depending on both altitude and agricultural conditions in each region of the country. While cuy (roasted guinea pig) is particularly popular in the mountain regions, seafood is the staple on the coast, particularly corvina (sea bass), ceviche, and prawns. On the weekend, the youth of Quito head out for drinks and to “farrear” (go out at night). Plaza Foch, in the New City, is a popular destination for its trendy bars and restaurants. A night out usually ends around 3 or 4AM, when quiteños head back home.
History of Quito
Quito’s roots date back to the first century A.D., when the Incan town was burned to the ground to prevent Spanish colonizers from taking over the city. The Spanish re-founded the city in the early 1500s, occupying the city for 300 years under colonial rule until the Battle of Pichincha, which secured Quito’s independence from Spain. Ever since Quito’s independence; however, the city has been the scene of political rebellion. The conservative city of Quito has held a long time rivalry with the more liberal city of Guayaquil on the country’s coast, which has colored the political climate of Ecuador for much of its recent history. Despite political assassinations and military dictatorships during the 20th century, in 1979 the country once again became a democracy and a stable political climate has existed ever since.
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5. The City
