Ecuador
Tourist information & accommodation
B&B, Hotels and Hostels in Ecuador
|
The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of
vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly
volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, as well as the
Galápagos archipelago, renowned for its unique
and fearless wildlife . And all that in a nation no bigger
than the US state of Nevada. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 2,850 m. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.
Arguably the most beautiful city in South America, Quito looms 2850m (9350ft) above sea level and just 22km (14mi) south of the equator. It boasts a wonderful spring-like climate in a spectacular setting; vistas in Quito are dominated by mountains, with several snow-capped volcanoes. Apart from some great museums and churches, pay a visit to El Panecillo (the little bread loaf), a hill with fabulous views of the old town and an enormous statue of the Virgin of Quito. Avenida Amazonas is Quito's bustling modern showpiece street, a good place to find a cafe and watch life go by.
The city of Quito was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978
|