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The Lambayeque zone is an area where important Pre-Columbian
cultures established, such as the Mochica and Chimú, known for its
famous and artistic works of gold and silver smiting. Among other
archaeological remains is Sipán, where important archaeological
remains have been found. Later periods converted the region into the
Empire of the Great Chimú. The Incas Pachacútec, Túpac Yupanqui and
Huayna Cápac conquered the Empire of the Great Chimú.
The first Spanish forces that came to Lambayeque were those of
Francisco Pizarro, on his way to Cajamarca to conquer the Inca
Empire. Once accomplished the conquest of Peru, after the
imprisonment and death of Atahualpa, Pizarro left many soldiers in
the localities of Lambayeque. This city was founded in 1553 and the
City of Zaña in 1563, by order of the Viceroy, Conde de
Nieva. In 1720
the Zaña River flooded the town and destroyed it totally. Its
inhabitants moved to Lambayeque, which since then it became the
capital of the province.
During Independence, it was one of the main strongholds against
Spanish domination. It collaborated with the liberating army of San
Martín. During the Republican Period Lambayeque stop being part of
the Trujillo Intendancy and became a province. During the war with
Chile, people joined to face the enemy.
Currently Lambayeque has important sugar cane mills and the
Tinajones Dam. It is the first producer of rice in Peru, and there
is a great farming and commercial development.
This department is made up by large plains, where no farming takes
place, because of lack of water. However, in the last centuries, the
Olmos Carob Tree Forest held goat herds that fed on the food of this
tree. This gave rise to the leather, cordovans, soap and kid skin
industry.
The hydrographic system of Lambayeque is made up by the Zaña,
Lambayeque and Jayanca rivers. The largest part of them are formed
in the highlands of Cajamarca, excepting the Motupe and Olmos
rivers.
Chiclayo is the capital of the department, and is full of touristic
attractions. Besides its intense economic activity it has good
hotels, squares, churches and museums such as the Brunning museum,
which holds valuable remains of the Mochica and Chimú cultures.
Among these, there are the remains from the recent discovery of
Senior de Sipán tomb. Among the archaeological remains in
Lambayeque, is important the Apure building. This is between Motupe
and Jayanca and shows the remains of a great city of 27 KM² area.
This department has also important beaches such as Santa Rosa, Eten
and Pimentel.
Fast facts:
Area or Surface:
14,231 KM².
Main Resources:
Rice, sugar cane and fruit trees.
Population:
992,000 inhabitants. Its capital, Chiclayo, has 239,887 inhabitants.
Number of Provinces and Districts:
3
provinces and 33 districts.
Date of Foundation:
As
department, December 01, 1874. |
