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In
Lima we find the remains of the first Andean inhabitant: hunters and
harpoon fishermen, dating back some 1,000 years ago. These remains
were found in Chivateros, near the Chillón River, and in various
places such as Ancón and Lurín. After a long time they incorporated
nets, hooks, farming, ceramics and weaving. The inhabitants of the
coast lived in the lomas and the valleys forming temples and
dwelling complexes that give origin to immense ceremonial centers
such as the Huacoy on the Chillón River; Garagay and La Florida on
the Rímac river, Manchay on the Lurín river; and Chancay, Supe and
many other valleys to the north and south. There are finely
ornamented temples with figures modeled in clay. Then the Lima
culture took shape, specially developed on the center Valleys from
Chancay down to Lurín, with painted adobe buildings. The best known
are the Márquez on the Chillón and Cerro Trinidad on the Chancay;
later became more important those of Maranga and Juliana on the
Rímac, and that of Pachacamac in Lurín.
In this
time the Wari conquest took place, thus giving rise to Wari style
ceramics, together with a local style known as Nievería. The
population grew and the culture changed. With the decline of Wari,
whose most important center was Cajamarquilla, were born new local
cultures, being the best known that of Chancay. There developed
immense urban centers and a notable textile production as well as
mass-produced ceramics. At this stage arose the Incas arrived, in
the XV century, occupying important sites such as the Pachacámac
Sanctuary.
Lima was founded on January 18, 1535 by the conqueror Francisco
Pizarro. Before becoming the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, it
was a first class religious place of worship. During the colonial
period, Lima reached its greatest splendor in the XVII century in
which progress, the construction of great houses and palaces went
together with the luxury and prosperity of the nobility made Lima
the richest among all colonies.
During the Independence period, Lima gave to nation a great number
of illustrious patriots that shed their blood and gave their talent
for the freedom. Among these were Don Pablo de Olavide, José
Baquíjano y Carrillo, José Olaya and José Bernardo Alcedo, author of
the National Anthem.
The geography of the department of Lima is interesting, it being the
most Andean one of the coast, since the Andes reach down to the
shore in great altitude. The Cerro de Pasamayo reaches almost 1,000
meters in height, almost vertically over the Pacific Ocean. The
Andes rise gigantically at less than 20 - 30 KM from the sea and its
valleys form triangular inclined planes with peak encrusted in the
Andes.
This department has along its shores a great number of islands,
keys, and reefs. The San Lorenzo Island is the biggest one of the
Pacific Ocean Islands of Peru. Islands such as the Pachacamac, Asia
and El Frontón, are sizeable deposits of guano.
The Lima littoral is overcast almost all year long. The sun appears
at the end of spring and in summer. The increase of heat coincides
with the swollen of the rivers because of the Andean rains. In
winter the intense humidity produces the vegetation called lomas,
the most important ones being the ones at Lachay and Pasamayo.
Lima, named "City of the Kings" by the Spaniards is today Peru's
first financial and industrial center.
Currently, Lima, as any other metropolis in the world, offers the
tourist great attractions and the comfort a traveler seeks. Its 500
years of life has left important remains from its rich history. It
must be said that Lima, because of its origin and marked centralism
concentrates the greatest attention from the tourists. Beautiful
beaches, a varied cuisine and a variety of spectacles, everything
that a tourist is eager to find.
In Lima reigns and incredible religious faith, whose greatest
expression is the world wide known procession of the Lord of the
Miracles (the month of October).
The City of Lima has many touristic centers: museums such as the
Magdalena, and the Gold Museum; site museums in Pachacamac and
Puruchuco; churches and colonial houses such as San Francisco, La
Merced and the Palace of Torre Tagle; archaeological ruins such as
Pachacamac, Cajamarquilla, El Paraíso and Chilca; scenic landscapes
such as the Infiernillo, Chillón and Río Cañete Canyons. There are
thermal baths such as the Churín and numerous beaches within
Metropolitan Lima.
Fast facts:
Area or Surface:
34,802 KM².
Main Resources:
Cotton, corn, sugar cane, fruit trees.
It is the first industrial
center in the country.
Population:
6,732, 000 inhabitants.
Its capital, Lima, has 340,422 inhabitants.
Number of Provinces and Districts:
10
provinces and 171 districts.
Date of Foundation:
As
department, August 04, 1821. |
