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 Quito the
Metropolitan District at 10,000 ft (2850 m) is the capital of the
Republic of Ecuador. Quito is flanked by majestic mountains, and on a clear day,
several snowcapped volcanoes are visible in the distance. Despite the
fact that it's only 22km south of the equator, Quito's elevation gives
it a wonderful spring like climate year-round.
In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees C (55 F) at night to 26
C (78 F) at noon, and averages 15 C (64 F). There are two seasons, wet
and dry. The wet season is called winter and the dry is considered
summer. Quito's summer lasts about 4 months, from the end of June to
September.
Quito colonial
Quito's colonial center, declared a World Cultural Heritage site by Unesco, is equally splendid. Strictly controlled development has kept
it wonderfully preserved, and its bustling street life is an exciting
contradiction of tradition and chaotic modernity jammed together in
one of South America's most spectacular colonial centers.
Quito colonial is a fascinating place to visit during the day when you
can enter the many churches, convents and museums, as well as a
fabulous place to come see colorfully lit at night and enjoy a
horse-drawn carriage ride and dinner. The plaza is bordered by the Palacio de Gobierno, the Cathedral and religious buildings, and the
Government Palace. The Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in South
America, and has been repaired and remodeled countless times due to
earthquake damage. On the Plaza San Francisco, a few blocks from
the Plaza de la Independencia, is the Monastery of San Francisco, the
oldest colonial building in Quito. There, too, is the ornate, gold
decorated La Compañia church. There are many churches in the old town
area, most built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Be sure
to visit El Sagrario, recently renovated, Santo Domingo, La Merced, La
Basilica and the monasteries of San Augustin and San Diego for their
museums.
Quito Northern
 The northern part of Quito is where the main business district of the
city is located. It also contains upper-middle class neighborhoods and
a substantial number of buildings. It is also where major recreational
areas and the international airport are located.
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. continues...
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