Cotocollao, Urban parish in northwest Quito, Ecuador
Cotocollao is an urban parish in northwest Quito comprising eight neighborhoods linked by commercial avenues and residential areas. The area includes the El Condado shopping mall and numerous shops and services distributed across its main streets.
The area originated as a pre-Hispanic settlement occupied between 1500 and 500 BC and later became a colonial town during Spanish rule. This early occupation shaped the district's development and its eventual integration into modern Quito.
The Aurelio Espinoza Pólit library holds extensive collections of Ecuadorian historical documents and serves as a center for research into the country's past. It attracts scholars and students interested in exploring the nation's cultural heritage.
The parish connects to central Quito through Avenida de La Prensa and is easily accessible to visitors wanting to explore its neighborhoods. Walking the main avenues gives a good sense of the area and its local shops and markets.
The neighborhood transformed into Quito's Chinese quarter during the early 2000s when Asian merchants established themselves and began selling imported goods. This community presence created new businesses and food establishments throughout the district.
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