Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026
Quito is the capital city of Ecuador, located in the Pichincha Province in the northern part of the country. Situated at approximately 0.1807° S latitude and 78.4678° W longitude, the city covers about 372 sq km (144 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 2.8 million people.
Location Map of Quito, Ecuador
About Map: The map shows the location of Quito in the Ecuador.
Where is Quito Located?
After Guayaquil, Quito is the second most populous city of Ecuador. By virtue of situated at the elevation of 2,800 meters, Quito is the second highest capital city of the world (the first one is La Paz - Bolivia).
Interestingly, Quito and Krakow have been declared as the first World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO in the year 1978. Quito is the second most significant city that contributes to the national GDP after Guayaquil. It has also the second highest per capita income after Cuenca. But Quito has the highest level of tax collection in Ecuador.
Moreover, Quito has the largest, best-preserved, and least-altered historic centre in Latin America as per the report given by UNESCO.
Quito, Ecuador Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Quito |
| Province | Pichincha |
| Country | Ecuador |
| National Capital | Quito |
| Region | Andean Highlands |
| Latitude | 0.1807° S |
| Longitude | 78.4678° W |
| Elevation | 9,350 ft (2,850 m) |
| Land Area | 145 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes rivers, reservoirs and mountain streams |
| Total Area | 145 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 2.0 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 13,800 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | 170101-170999 |
| Area Code | +593 2 |
| Time Zone Standard | Ecuador Time (UTC-5) |
| Time Zone Daylight | No daylight saving time observed |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| Administrative Code | Metropolitan District of Quito |
| National Representation | National Assembly Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Quito, Ecuador
- Sangolquí, Ecuador - 11 mi Southeast
- Cumbayá, Ecuador - 8 mi East
- Tumbaco, Ecuador - 12 mi East
- Cayambe, Ecuador - 43 mi Northeast
- Machachi, Ecuador - 22 mi South
- Otavalo, Ecuador - 57 mi North
- Ibarra, Ecuador - 70 mi North
- Latacunga, Ecuador - 56 mi South
- Ambato, Ecuador - 94 mi South
- Santo Domingo, Ecuador - 82 mi West
Quito, Ecuador Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66 | 48 | 4.5 |
| April | 66 | 49 | 6.7 |
| July | 67 | 46 | 1.3 |
| October | 68 | 48 | 4.2 |
| Annual | 67 | 48 | 45.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Cfb - Subtropical Highland Climate |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 45 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 2,000 sunshine hours |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | No snowfall in the city |
Driving Distances from Quito, Ecuador
| City | Province | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbayá | Pichincha | 8 | 20 min |
| Sangolquí | Pichincha | 11 | 25 min |
| Tumbaco | Pichincha | 12 | 25 min |
| Machachi | Pichincha | 22 | 35 min |
| Cayambe | Pichincha | 43 | 1 hr |
| Latacunga | Cotopaxi | 56 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Otavalo | Imbabura | 57 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Ibarra | Imbabura | 70 | 1 hr 40 min |
| Santo Domingo | Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas | 82 | 2 hr |
| Ambato | Tungurahua | 94 | 2 hr 10 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Quito, Ecuador
| Airport Name | Mariscal Sucre International Airport |
| IATA Code | UIO |
| Port | No Seaport |
| Major Highways | E35 Pan-American Highway, Ruta Viva, Simón Bolívar Avenue |
| Train Service | Ecuador Heritage Rail Services |
| Local Transit Service | Quito Metro, Trolleybus and Public Buses |
- E35 Pan-American Highway - Main route connecting Quito with northern and southern Ecuador.
- Ruta Viva - Expressway linking the city with the airport area.
- Simón Bolívar Avenue - Major bypass serving eastern districts.
- Quito Metro - Modern rapid transit system connecting key parts of the city.
- Trolleybus Network - Important public transportation corridor through central Quito.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Quito, Ecuador
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Historic Center of Quito | UNESCO Site |
| Mitad del Mundo | Monument |
| Basilica del Voto Nacional | Religious Site |
| El Panecillo | Hill Landmark |
| Plaza Grande | Historic Square |
| La Compañía Church | Historic Church |
| TelefériQo | Cable Car Attraction |
| Parque La Carolina | Urban Park |
| National Museum of Ecuador | Museum |
| Cotopaxi National Park | National Park |
Places to Visit in Quito, Ecuador
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Historic Center of Quito | UNESCO Site |
| Mitad del Mundo | Monument |
| Basilica del Voto Nacional | Religious Site |
| El Panecillo | Hill Landmark |
| Plaza Grande | Historic Square |
| La Compañía Church | Historic Church |
| TelefériQo | Cable Car Attraction |
| Parque La Carolina | Urban Park |
| National Museum of Ecuador | Museum |
| Cotopaxi National Park | National Park |
Colleges and Universities in Quito, Ecuador
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central University of Ecuador | Public | University | Research and public education |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador | Private | University | Academic excellence |
| San Francisco de Quito University | Private | University | Science and innovation |
| National Polytechnic School | Public | University | Engineering and technology |
| University of the Americas | Private | University | Business and communications |
Waterbodies in Quito, Ecuador
Machángara River, San Pedro River, Guayllabamba River, Mica Reservoir, Papallacta Reservoir, Chongón Water System, Limpiopungo Lagoon, Yahuarcocha Watershed, Pita River, Antisana Wetlands
Golf Courses in Quito, Ecuador
Quito Tenis y Golf Club, Arrayanes Country Club, Los Chillos Golf Club, Guayllabamba Golf Club, Puembo Golf Course, Los Cerros Golf Club, Country Club de Quito, Valle de Los Chillos Golf Facility
Quito, Ecuador - Key Historical Facts
- Quito was founded by Spanish settlers in 1534 on the site of an earlier Indigenous settlement.
- The city became an important administrative and religious center during the Spanish colonial period.
- Quito played a significant role in Ecuador's independence movement in the early nineteenth century.
- Its historic center contains one of the best-preserved collections of colonial architecture in Latin America.
- In 1978, Quito became one of the first cities designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Today, Quito serves as Ecuador's political capital and a major center for culture, tourism and education.
References
- Municipality of Quito
- National Institute of Statistics and Census of Ecuador
- Ecuador Travel
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Quito