Quito - History
Up until the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1532, the territory known as Equador today was part of the Great Inca Empire, known as Tahuantinsuyu. The city of San Francisco de Quito was founded on the ruins of the northern capital of this empire, established a century before this time, although the occupation of the site dates to much earlier.
As the capital of the province of Pinincha and the Episcopal See, San Francisco de Quito became the seat of royal audiences in 1563; this gave it political power over the other cities and villages under its protection. By the end of the 16th century, Quito was a crossroads for artistic influences and its art school was created. The layout of the city, which dates to that period, has been maintained to this day.
A precursor of other South American colonies, Quito proclaimed its independence in 1809. Until 1830, it was incorporated, along with Venezuela, into Great Columbia, and served as capital of its southern region.
The city has since expanded beyond the limits of its 19th- century colonial nucleus.
COPYRIGHT 2000 - AMERICATRAVELLING.NET