Page:Whymper - Travels amongst the great Andes of the equator.djvu/221



CHAPTER IX.

Capital of the Republic of the Equator is situated at the bottom of the eastern slopes of Pichincha, close to where they abut against the Puengasi ridge; and between these two mountains the drainage of the area which may properly be termed the basin of Quito escapes, through a cleft, on to the Plain of Tumbaco. This basin extends from the city to the Tambillo ridge, and is bounded on the west by Atacatzo and part of Pichincha, and on the east by Puengasi. Previous writers have spoken of the valley of Quito; and (ignoring the natural lines of drainage which have been enumerated ) have even applied that term to the whole of the interior embraced between Riobamba and the Plain of Tumbaco. The only area to which this designation can properly be given is that which is indicated above; and even this, it seems to me, is more aptly called the basin of Quito.

The population of the city is commonly said to range from 60,000 to 80,000; but, from comparison of the spaces known to be covered by towns whose population has been ascertained, I