Ecuador's capital, Quito, is the highest capital in the world, sitting at an altitude of 9,350 ft on the eastern slopes of Pinchincha, an active volcano in the Andes mountains. It is also the closest capital to the equator. The Spanish word for equator is ... ecuador! Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, Quito is also known for its well-preserved historical center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures.
