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LIMA
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| Population |
10 Millions |
| Altitude |
115 m |
| Climate |
28°C. |
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LOCATION,
EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of Lima is located in the central occidental
part of the country. To the west, it is bathed by the waters
of the Pacific Ocean, to the east, it limits with the Andes.
It
has an extension of 33,820 km² (13,058 sq ml) and a population
of over 7'000,000 people.
The capital
is the city of Lima, one of the most important in South America,
and declared Cultural Patrimony of the World. The weather
is mild and fresh all year round, due to the its proximity
to the seashore and the absence of rain. |
| Attractions
close to Lima |
ATTRACTIONS
NEAR THE CAPITAL
Balneario de Ancón, a modern resort in a small fishing
bay, located at 38 km (23.6 ml) north from Lima.
Reserva
Nacional de Lachay is located on Km 105 of the North Pan-American
Highway. With a variety of micro climates, this natural reserve
has abundant vegetation and is the habitat for wild animals.
There are also archeological sites of pre-Hispanic cultures.
Fortaleza
de Paramonga, located on Km 209 of the North Pan-American
Highway, is an adobe fortress constructed during the Inca
empire.
Ruinas
de Puruchuco. Located at ten minutes from the center of the
city, this pre-Inca house gives a sense of how the ancient
Peruvians lived 2,000 years ago. It has a site museum.
Marcahuasi
is an magnificent stone forest located at 4,000 m.a.s.l. (13,123
ft). With time the erosions on the rocks have produced human
and animal forms easily identified. UFO experts consider this
as a meeting point. It takes several hours to get there, including
a long walk.
Pachacamac.
Located at 33 km (20.5 ml) from the capital and very near
the most beautiful south beaches, this pre-Inca temple was
constructed on adobe at different levels, with passages and
labyrinths. There is also a museum that exhibits archeological
pieces found while unearthing the site.
Cañete
is a province of the department of Lima. It takes an hour
to get there by car or bus. The valley has lovely beaches,
fishing inlets and archeological zones. Lunahuaná is
part of the Cañete valley, surrounded by impressive
natural areas where to practice rafting, fishing and hunting.
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Brief History
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Conqueror Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Lima, known
as City of Kings, on January 18, 1535. He chose the banks
of the Rímac river for being a location strategically
and geographically perfect. The word Lima comes from the word
Rímac, which in quechua, the official language in the
Inca empire, means hablador or talkative.
During
the Viceroyship, between the sixteenth and seventeenth century,
Lima became the most important and powerful city in South
America. It was also the cultural and commercial center of
the region.
| On
July 28, 1821, after the decadence of the Viceroyship
and a series of emancipation and independence movements,
General José de San Martín proclaimed the
independence of Perú in the small village of Huaura,
to the north of Lima. The Peruvian Republic was born. |
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| Foods
and Drinks |
TYPICAL
DISHES AND BEVERAGES
Since Lima is so close to the sea, the main Limeño
dishes are naturally based on fish and seafood. Among
these, the famous cebiche, escabeche, conchitas a la
parmesana and shrimp cocktail stand out.
Other
well-known Limeño dishes are cau-cau, anticuchos,
ají de gallina. There are also several typical
desserts, such as the mazamorra morada, picarones, suspiro
a la limeña, arroz con leche, turrón de
Doña Pepa.
Among
the refreshing drinks, chicha morada is recommended,
and as appetizers, the international pisco sour, with
Peruvian pisco and lemons, and sugar.
TOURIST
CALENDAR
January 12 through 19. Anniversary of Lima. Festivities
to celebrate the founding of the city.
Last
Week in March. Surco Grape Harvest Week. During a week,
this vine growing district of great tradition holds
several activities hosted by the major of the city and
the elected Queen.
Holy
Week. During this time, the city of Lima shows a spirit
of retreat remembering the passion of Christ. Processions
and several religious acts take place in different parts
of the city.
Third
Week in May. The National Peruvian Gait Horse Contest.
This contest takes place in Mamacona, a tourist resort
at a walking distance from the Pachacamac ruins. There
is also a wonderful exhibition of these gait horses,
who descend from the fine Arab breeds and that in Perú
got their very special style of pace.
July
28 and 29. Independence Day. Public activities include,
military and school parades, a Te Deum in the Cathedral,
and horse races at the Monterrico Race Track. The Feria
del Hogar, the biggest commercial fair, and the Feria
de La Molina, a well-known international music festival,
open during these days. Famous national and foreign
artists are invited to participate.
August
20 through 30. Cañete Week. Anniversary of the
province of Cañete. It is a ten-day celebration
with folkloric festivals, various competitions and adventure
sports. |
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August
30. Santa Rosa de Lima. Pilgrimage to Quives, the district
of the province of Canta, where Santa Rosa lived. In Lima,
devotees visit the monastery to write down their wishes and
throw them into its famous well.
October.
Señor de los Milagros Month, patron of the city. On
October 18, 19 and 28, one the most multitudinary processions
worldwide takes place. The religious fervor of the devotees
expresses in front of the sacred image. Painted in 1650, the
famous image has remained intact in spite of time, earthquakes
and other cataclysms. During the whole month the litter is
taken in a trailer to distant places throughout the city.
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End of
October through mid-November, the Feria del Señor de
los Milagros. This is the bullfight season in which the best
toreros in the world participate. It takes place in the Plaza
de Acho, built 200 years ago on the orders of the Viceroy
to please his lover
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