Quito

Quito, city in northern Ecuador, capital of Ecuador and of Pichincha Province. The city is picturesquely situated on the lower slopes of Pichincha volcano in a narrow, fertile valley of the Andes at an elevation of 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level. Because of its altitude it has a pleasant, moderate climate despite being just south of the equator. Quito has little heavy industry. Its chief manufactured products include textiles, processed food, beverages, leather, cement, furniture, and gold and silver craftware. The city is linked to the Pacific Ocean by roads and a railway (opened 1908), and is on the Pan-American Highway.

Quito is the oldest South American capital and retains much of its colonial aspect. The city is laid out mainly according to a rectangular plan with an expansive central plaza, many quiet parks and flower gardens, and numerous steep narrow streets. The architecture of Quito is chiefly in the Spanish Baroque style. Notable buildings include a 17th-century cathedral and the churches of San Francisco, San Augustin, La Compañía, and Santo Domingo. Quito's churches and monasteries, many elaborately gilded in gold and silver, are famed repositories of colonial paintings and sculptures. The historic part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The sleek skyline of modern Quito, which extends to the north, offers a striking contrast to the old city. The city is the site of the Central University of Ecuador (1769), the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (1946), and the National Polytechnic School (1869).

The site of Quito was settled during the 1st millennium ad, and it became successively the fortified capital of several native groups, including the Quito. In 1487 the city was annexed by the Inca, and in 1534 it was captured by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, a lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro. The Spanish made it the capital of the presidency of Quito. In 1822 the city was liberated by Antonio José de Sucre, a commander of the South American troops in their revolt against Spanish rule. Quito was Ecuador's chief economic centre until the early 20th century, when it was displaced by Guayaquil. The city was damaged by several earthquakes in the 19th century. Population 1,399,378 (2001).