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Destinations >> Ecuador >> Quito
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San Francisco de Quito is the capital city of |
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Quito History
During the first millennium, nomadic communities hunting for animals and foraging for food arrived in the rich and fertile valley of Quito. Over time, tribes settled and Quito became an important settlement and major trading centre known as ‘Tianguez.’ Quito evolved into a cross-roads of cultures, and the most important economic centre in the northern Andes.
During the 16th century the Incas extended their area of influence from Peru and, following various battles, asserted their control over the Quito region. They established Quito as their key administrative centre from which to control the territories of their northern Empire.
Quito Facts
POPULATION
1.8 million OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Spanish is the official language of Ecuador, although you may well hear the native dialects of the Andean highlands, Kichwa, as well as languages from the Amazon such as Cofán and Shuar. English is not widely spoken, but is more common among the younger generation and in cities.
Living in Quito
Quito is divided in three parts:
The Old City or Centro Histórico , is the city's heart. The Old City's classic landmark is el Panecillo ("little bread loaf"), the hill that is crowned by the beautiful Virgen de Quito statue, a figure unique to the Quito school of colonial art. The South of the Old City, the city has expanded rapidly in recent years. This zone is generally a poorer, working-class and an industrial sector.
Quito Moderno , the modern, 21 st century Quito filled with banks, big buildings, and ritzy shopping centers is located to the north of the Old City. The middle and upper class residential areas are also in the northern part of Quito. |
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