Situated in an Andean valley at 2,850 m above sea level at the foot of Volcano Pichincha (4,794 m), Quito is a modern city with a living history. One of Latin America’s most historically important cities, Quito has been declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO. Noteworthy for its architectural beauty, Quito is home to numerous churches and convents built in the colonial period. The Metropolitan Cathedral, located in Independence Plaza, is one of the city’s most impressive historical and architectural sites. Others worthy of mention are the following cathedrals and historical sites: San Francisco, la Compañía de Jesús, San Agustín, Santo Domingo, El Sagrario, La Merced, Carmen Bajo, San Sebastian, Santa Barbara, and San Blas. A large part of their interiors, especially the altars and pulpits, are gilded in gold and house innumerable works of religious art. Some of their museums hold valuable collections of paintings and sculptures belonging to the artistic genre which has been come to known as the Quito School. Quito, the provincial of Pichincha and the nation’s capital, is the departure point for Ecuador’s main tourist destinations. Due to its strategic location and well developed tourist infrastructure Quito is an ideal place from which to start a trip and a great place to hold both national and international conventions and other events. The city lies at the foot of the western Andes range and enjoys a spring-like climate, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 24 degrees centigrade. Its Mariscal Sucre Airport, is one of Ecuador’s international terminals. However, despite its rich living history, Ecuador’s capital is at the same time a modern metropolis with a variety of hotel facilities to chose from, including many of the world’s major hotel chains. Quito also has countless restaurants (serving national and international cuisine, alike), shopping centers, theaters, convention centers, and everything else that the most demanding tourist could possible need.