Question
Here is the question : WHICH CAPITAL CITY IS CLOSEST TO THE EQUATOR?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Athens
- Quito
- Buenos Aires
- Cairo
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The capital of Ecuador is the second-highest elevated capital in the world and is also the city that is closest to the equator (administrative capital La Paz, Bolivia just beats it). Quito, which is located at an elevation of 9,350 feet above sea level, has long drawn tourists, especially to its breathtaking Old Town, which was the first city to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This bustling capital has a lot to offer adventure-seeking tourists, including Incan ruins, volcanoes, and stunning Spanish monasteries.
Quito, Ecuador is the capital city closest to the equator. Situated at 0 degrees, 28 minutes south latitude, Quito lies just 18 miles from the equator. Its proximity to the equator influences its climate and architecture, with warm weather throughout the year and colonial buildings adapted for ventilation. Quito’s location on the equator also makes it an ideal location for astronomical observations and studies.
Quito was founded in 1534 and became the capital of Ecuador in 1830 after gaining independence from Spain. It sits in a valley in the Andes Mountains, surrounded by volcanoes including Cotopaxi. As the second highest capital city in the world at 9,350 feet above sea level, Quito has a mild climate with average temperatures of 64 F, cool nights and warm days.
Quito’s location led the Spanish conquistadors to choose it as a capital, as its surroundings offered protection and natural defenses. The city has a well-preserved historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, with architecture featuring arches, colonnaded walkways and balconies adapted for the high altitude and equatorial climate. Churches like San Francisco contain unique architecture like rounded arches and spires.
Quito’s proximity to the equator allows observations of the sun rising and setting 365 days a year, and geomagnetic equinoxes where the magnetic equator overlays the geographic equator. It is home to important astronomical observatories like the Quito Astronomical Observatory. The equatorial location also means longer days and shorter nights, with nearly 12 hours of daylight even at the December solstice.
The equator passes directly through mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, so Quito is a hub for exploring tropical rainforests, volcanoes and unique wildlife like the Galapagos tortoise. Outdoor activities include volcanoeering, mountain biking, zip-lining, hiking and whitewater rafting. Quito also has a thriving food scene, with staples like locro de papa, empanadas, llapingachos fried potatoes and ceviche highlighting indigenous flavors with Spanish and African influences.
Quito’s high altitude means it has a mild climate that remains pleasant year-round, avoiding the intense heat and humidity of lowland tropical cities on the equator. It has lower air pollution and UVB radiation than other equatorial cities, resulting in better visibility and less risk of skin damage or sunburn. The climate and landscape near Quito boast unusual phenomena like equatorial glaciers and páramos, high-altitude grasslands with rare wildlife.
Quito has a rich colonial history, beautiful historic architecture, diverse scenery from mountains to rainforests, equatorial location and year-round mild climate. It represents a unique combination of influences and geography that shaped its development, spirituality, and character. Quito’s status as the world’s closest capital city to the equator adds to its allure as a place of natu