But where can I park?

More than just an architectural museum, historic Quito is a place where people live, work and do business. So the public-private company charged with preserving the district must concern itself with everything from parking garages to trash containers.

One of the most politically sensitive tasks has been doing something about the street vendors that previously crowded the sides of already congested streets, slowing traffic. Agreements have been reached to relocate some 5,000 vendors to new commercial complexes in and around the district.

A battery of traffic management plans, ranging from new stop lights to promoting the use of the city's recently completed trolley bus system, is helping to limit bus pollution. In addition, five new parking garages are creating 2,000 parking spaces to be operated as private concessions.

Got a question? The city has assigned 30 bilingual tourism police in the historic district to aid tourists and deter crime.

The district's old sidewalks were irregular and often tapered off into nothing at mid-block, forcing pedestrians into the streets and slowing vehicular traffic. Most of the sidewalks are being rebuilt and 100 trash receptacles donated by AT&T will help solve the problem of litter.