BE AN EXPERT IN QUITO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE WEBINAR ALL - PDF document

BE AN EXPERT IN QUITO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE WEBINAR ALL YOU NEED IS ECUADOR 1

GENERAL CONTENTS 1. The City of Quito  Location on the world map  Essential information  Quito, the city, its origins & history  City recognitions 2. Quito Urban Area  Old Quito or Oldtown  La Mariscal & Floresta  Financial District  The Middle of the World 3. Quito for Special Interests  Culture & entertainment  Parks & green spaces  Kids & families  Archaeology  Shopping in the city  Nightlife & events  Congresses & Conventions 4. Infrastructure & Services in the City  Accommodation  Gastronomy  Air transportation  Transport in Quito  Directory of services 5. Suggested itineraries and routes to visit the city  4 days in the city  Special Interests routes 6. Quito surroundings and connectivity with other attractions and destinations in Ecuador.  Mountains & Snow-capped volcanoes  Rainforest  Indian Markets  Papallacta and thermal baths  Amazon  Guayaquil & Cuenca  Galapagos Islands 2

THE CITY OF QUITO LOCATION IN THE WORLD MAP Quito is located close to the 0° latitude in the inter-Andean valley; it’s surrounded by spectacular mountains and snow-capped volcanoes. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION  Capital of Ecuador  Population: 2’500,000 Est.  Elevation: between 2.800 m.a.s.l. (9.186 ft.) to 3.100 m.a.s.l. (10.170 ft.) in the highest districts  Mild climate with average temperatures from 10° C (50° F) to 27 °C (80.6° F) QUITO, THE CITY, ITS ORIGINS & HISTORY  Archeological remains Archaeological investigations show that in the area of “El Inga” -a farm located near the Ilaló hill- nomadic peoples lived around 10300 BC; they survived on hunting, fishing and food gathering. These are the first life traces not only in Quito but in Ecuador as a whole. Since then, and over time, the area where nowadays lies Quito, was inhabited by people and cultures that left not only archaeological remains but their mark through the names of places and neighborhoods that bear their name even to our times, such as: Florida, Cotocollao, Rumipamba, among others. 3

 Spanish Colonization (1534-1809) W hen the Spanish conquistadores arrived to the “Tahuantinsuyo” in the current area of Quito, the Inca Empire was immersed in a civil war caused by the struggle for power between Atahualpa and his brother Huáscar. The first one defended its hegemony from Quito, and the second one from Cuzco. Spaniards sought Quito area because the rumors said that they would find Atahualpa treasure here, so they formed 2 expeditions: the first one coming from the south under Sebastián de Benalcázar command, who arrived to Quito in 1534. With his arrival the Spanish foundation of the city took place. From this date on, the city started a 300 years of colonial period which left a great mark and legacy through an important number of buildings that are part of the current charm a nd appeal of Quito’s historic centre. Many landmarks were built on this time especially buildings and churches part of the religious communities that made Quito their home such as San Francisco, Santo Domingo, San Agustín, La Compañía, among others, complementing the paintings artwork and sculpture of the renowned “Escuela Quieña” or Quito Art’s School. Another interesting fact of this period worth to mention is the arrival of the French- geodesic mission, which arrived in 1736 to make field research work and measurements that confirmed the theory that Quito lies in the Middle of the World, this is on the Latitude 0°0’0’’ .  Independence (1809-1822) On August the 9 th 1809, a group of well-educated Creole people met in Manuela Cañizares’ house. On August the 10 th 1809, an Act was signed, ceasing on his duties the -at that time- President of the Royal Audience of Quito, the Conde Ruiz de Castilla. Due to diverse circumstances, this fact was reversed and in retaliation, on August the 2 nd 1810 around 300 “Quiteños” w ere killed in the barracks of the city (current historical wax museum). The independence process arrived to its end on May the 24 th 1822 when the Spanish royal army was defeated by the local freedom fighters under the command of the Marshal Antonio José de Sucre. As a memento of this memorable date, until now, the Presidential guard keeps the same uniforms as the ones used in the Battle of Pichincha.  Quito & The Gran Colombia (1822-1830) On June 1822, the liberator Simón Bolívar arrived to Quito to annex the territories of the former “Real Audiencia de Quito” to the Republic of “Gran Colombia”, at that time made up of the current territories of Colombia, Ecuador, Panamá and Venezuela with Bogota as its capital city. Quito then becomes the southern department.  The early days of the Republic (1830-1985) In 1830 the Republic of Ecuador is created with the Venezuelan Juan José Flores as its first President, since then, Quito is the capital of the country. As some important events of the City’s development through history worth to mention are:  In 1908 the Steam train arrives for the first time to the Chimbacalle Station.  For 34 years the Quito Tramways Company operated tramways in two services: Chimbacalle station to San Diego cemetery; and, Chimbacalle station to Colón Avenue. 4

 In 1960 Mariscal Sucre International airport start its operations  On September the 8th 1978, Quito was declared by UNESCO as the first World Heritage City.  The 21st Century City At the time, Quito is a city that develops at the globalization pace, in terms of technology as well as in infrastructure, transport, services…, nowadays, is a metropolis that offers its visitors everything they need for a great experience. In relation to milestones dates, as described the previous paragraph and in relation to the city’s projection to the future the following recent events can be mentioned:  In mid-2013, the train links once again the cities of Quito and Guayaquil through the “Tren Crucero” circuit starting from Chimbacalle station.  At the beginning of 2013 starts the construction of the first Metro line that will cover a distance of 23 km (14,5 miles) north - South.  On February 2013 the brand-new Mariscal Sucre International Airport opens its doors.  Two years in a row, 2013 and 2014 Quito is recognized as the South America ’s leading destination in the “World Travel Awards”. Plaza de San Francisco 1875 Plaza de San Francisco 2013 CITY RECOGNITIONS Over the years, the city of Quito has been recognized in several fields, ranging from culture, politics, architecture and tourism among others; some of its major recognitions are:  First World Heritage Site, UNESCO, 1978.  Latin-American Culture Capital, UCCI, 2004  Permanent Headquarters of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, since 2010  American Capital of Culture, IBOCC, 2011  Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice 2012 – 2013 – 2014  World Travel Awards, South America’s Leading Destination 2013 & 2014  Finalist of the New 7 Wonder Cities contest 5

URBAN AREA Quito’s urban area grows and spreads along the mountains and volcano complex well -known as the “Pichinchas”, making of Quito an elongated City in North – South direction (40 km / 24,8 miles approximately) and narrow in East – West sense (on average 8 km /4,9 miles) In the urban area of the City there are diverse neighborhoods and districts, among which the main touristic zones are identified as follows: the Old Town, La Mariscal & La Floresta districts and the financial center. City Tourist areas: Old Quito or Oldtown La Mariscal & Floresta Financial District 6