Despite being Ecuador's smallest city, Quito assumes outstanding importance and it is a powerful symbol of the country.

One of the most notable features that make this city unique is the well-known Equatorial Monument, a monument that indicates where latitude 0 is.

Regarding the architecture, most buildings preserve a colonial style and the above mentioned Monument is also powerful symbol of the city and its architecture, which is an extremely attractive tourist destination.

In order to access from Quito, we must travel some thirteen kilometers and once we have entered the city we will be facing the Avenida de los Geodésicos, one of the most important avenues in the city.

Thirteen busts of the distinguished scientists who led the French Geodesic Mission can be found there. These people belonged to the expedition that arrived in Ecuador in 1736 with the aim of measuring the length of a degree of longitude at the Equator.

On the right side of the Avenue, four Pavilions can be found, namely Spain, France, Germany and, of course, Ecuador pavilions. Attractive cultural and scientific exhibitions are held at each of them.

The city of the Middle of the World offers several attractions including the "Museo Etnográfico", a museum about the indigenous ethnography of Ecuador. It is possible to climb up to see the Middle of the World from above, an attraction not to be missed.

The Middle of the world has a dry and arid climate especially from May to August, when there are hardly any rains.

The annual average rainfall in Quito is 554 mm and temperatures at this city range between 15º C and 22º C.

This is a colorful and luminous city located high above sea level, where the sun shines permanently.

It was the First Geodesic Mission that encouraged the construction of this place in recognition of the expedition's achievements.

Therefore, the Honorable Provincial Council of Pichincha began construction of the current monument in 1979 to highlight the importance of the mission's works.

The Middle of the World is represented by a monument thirty meters high. Next to it the well known tourist spot "Ciudad Mitad del Mundo" ("City of the Middle of the World") can be found. Following a colonial style the main square, the town council and the church were the first constructions in the place.

A variety of buildings began to be built in the surroundings of this monument such as restaurants, craft shops and even mail offices and telephone service office.

The imaginary Equinoctial line crosses this valley dividing the planet Earth in two hemispheres: North and South.