Leg 103 SEGU - Guayaquil (Ecuador) to SEQU - Quito (Ecuador)
SEGU - Airport Info
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ICAO code: SEGU
Airport name: Simon Bolivar Airport
Location: Guayaquil
Useful information
Airport elevation: '
Time zone: UTC-
Lighted runways : Yes
Maximum runway length: '
Runway surface : Asphalt
Instrument approach (ILS, LOC, LDA, and SDF):
Guayaquil Info
Guayaquil, in full Santiago de Guayaquil, city in western Ecuador, capital of Guayas Province. The city is situated on the Guayas River, near the head of the Gulf of Guayaquil, in the country's low-lying Pacific littoral. Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and leading economic center. Most of the nation's large export trade in bananas and the great majority of its imports pass through Guayaquil's nearby deepwater outport (completed 1962). Major industries include shrimp fishing, petroleum refining, food processing, and the manufacture of machinery and consumer goods. Farmers working the rich soils of the northern coastal area grow bananas, cacao, coffee, and oranges that are exported from Guayaquil to different parts of the world. Guayaquil has become one of the busiest South American ports on the Pacific Ocean. Recent expansion has attracted a flood of workers from rural Ecuador, creating housing and water shortages.
Lying just south of the equator, Guayaquil is cooled slightly by the Humboldt Current for most of the year. The current subsides in January, leaving residents to face a hot, humid, and rainy climate through April.
Although life in Guayaquil revolves around its busy riverfront, a number of museums and art galleries, colonial buildings, parks, and tree-lined plazas offer insight into the city's culture. The cemetery in Guayaquil is well known for its elaborate white tombs, grand mausoleums, and shady walkways. Many people stop in the historic district of Las Peñas to visit 16th-century Santo Domingo, the city's oldest church. Educational centers in Guayaquil include the University of Guayaquil (1867), the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (1962), the Vicente Rocafuerte Lay University of Guayaquil (1847), and a polytechnic institute (1958).
Guayaquil was founded in 1537 by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana. The city endured frequent pirate attacks during the colonial era because of its strategic location. Today two cannons pointing toward the Guayas guard the entrance to the Plaza Colón, serving as reminders of these 17th-century skirmishes.
Guayaquil was the site of the Guayaquil Conference (1822), a historic meeting between revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar and Argentine general José de San Martín. After these two heroes of the South American independence movement disagreed on political goals during this secret meeting, San Martín resigned his role as a leader of the revolution, and Bolívar continued his struggle against Spanish domination. After this clandestine summit, Guayaquil became part of Gran Colombia, from which Ecuador emerged as an independent state in 1830. The meeting between these two heroes is commemorated in the city's famous statue of the liberators, called La Rotonda. Population 2,117,553 (2000 estimate).
SEQU - Airport Info
ICAO code: SEQU
Airport name: Mariscal Sucre Airport
Location: Quito
Useful information
Airport elevation: '
Time zone: UTC-
Lighted runways : Yes
Maximum runway length: '
Runway surface : Asphalt
Instrument approach (ILS, LOC, LDA, and SDF):
Quito Info
Quito, city in northern Ecuador, capital of Ecuador and of Pichincha Province. The city is picturesquely situated on the lower slopes of Pichincha volcano in a narrow, fertile valley of the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 2850 m (9350 ft) above sea level. Because of its elevation it has a pleasant, moderate climate despite being just south of the equator. Quito has little heavy industry. Its chief manufactures include textiles, processed food, beverages, leather, cement, furniture, and gold and silver handicrafts. The city is linked with the Pacific Ocean by roads and a railroad (opened 1908), and is on the Pan-American Highway.
Quito is the oldest South American capital and retains much of its colonial aspect. The city is laid out mainly according to a rectangular plan and has an expansive central plaza, many quiet parks and flower gardens, and numerous steep, narrow streets. The architecture of Quito is chiefly in the Spanish baroque style. Notable structures include a 17th-century cathedral and the churches of San Francisco, San Augustin, La Compañía, and Santo Domingo. The city is the site of the Central University of Ecuador (1769), the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (1946), and the National Polytechnic School (1869).
The site of Quito was settled during the 1st millennium ad, and it became successively the fortified capital of several native groups, including the Quito. In 1487 the city was annexed by the Incas, and in 1534 it was captured by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, a lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro. The Spanish made it the capital of the presidency of Quito. In 1822 the city was liberated by Antonio José de Sucre, a commander of the South American troops in their revolt against Spanish rule. Quito was Ecuador's chief economic center until the early 20th century, when it was displaced by Guayaquil. The city was damaged by several earthquakes in the 19th century. Population (2000 estimate) 1,615,809.