Information about Lima

Lima is the capital of the Republic of Peru city. It is located in the central coast, on the Pacific Ocean, forming an extensive and populous urban area known as Lima, flanked by the coastal and desert extended over the valleys of the Chillón, Rimac and Lurin. According to the 2007 census Peru, Lima had over 7.6 million inhabitants. while its urban agglomeration had over 8.5 million inhabitants, 30 of the Peruvian population, figures that make it the most populous city.

The January 18, 1535, the Spanish foundation was made with the name of the City of Kings in the agricultural region known by the natives as limaq, name it acquired over time. It was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the largest and most important city in South America during the Spanish regime. After independence it became the capital of the Republic.

Today he is regarded as the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of the country. Internationally, the city ranks fifth among the most populated cities in Latin America and is one of the thirty most populous urban agglomerations in the world.

Jurisdictionally, the metropolis spreads mainly within the province of Lima and a smaller portion to the west, within the constitutional province of Callao, where the seaport and Jorge Chavez International Airport is located. Both provinces have regional autonomy since 2002.

History of Lima

Prehispanic
Although the history of the city of Lima began with his Spanish foundation in 1535, the territory formed by the valleys of the Rimac, Chillon and Lurin rivers was occupied by pre-Inca settlements. The Lima Maranga culture and culture were those established and forged an identity in these territories. During those times the sanctuaries of Lati (current Puruchuco) and Pachacamac were constructed. These cultures were conquered by the Wari Empire during the height of its imperial expansion. It is during this time that the ceremonial center was built Cajamarquilla. Given the declining importance Wari, local cultures become independent again, emphasizing the Chancay culture. Later, in the fifteenth century, these territories were incorporated into the Inca Empire. From this period we can find many huacas throughout the city, some of which are under investigation. The most important or known are those of Huallamarca Pucllana, Mateo Salado and Pachachamac.

Colonial era
In 1532, the Spaniards and their Indian allies (of ethnic groups submitted by the Incas) under the command of Francisco Pizarro took prisoner the Inca Atahualpa in Cajamarca. Although a ransom was paid, he was sentenced to death for political and strategic reasons. After several battles, the Spaniards conquered the empire. The Spanish crown Francisco Pizarro appointed governor of the lands he had conquered. Pizarro decided to found the capital in the Rimac River valley, after the failed attempt to establish it in Jauja. He considered that Lima was strategically located next to a favorable coast for the construction of a port but away from it prudently to prevent attacks depiratas and foreign powers, fertile land and a convenient cooler weather. Thus, January 18, 1535 Lima was founded under the name of City of Kings on territories that had been the chief Taulichusco. Francisco Pizarro, in collaboration with Nicolas de Ribera, Francisco Aguero and Diego Quintero personally traced the Plaza de Armas and the rest of the grid of the city, building the Viceregal Palace (now transformed into the Government Palace of Peru, hence retains the traditional name of House of Pizarro) and the Cathedral, Pizarro put the first stone with his own hands.

Republican era
Proclaimed the independence of Peru in 1821 by General San Martin, Lima became the capital of the Republic of Peru brand. So, it was the seat of government and home Liberator also the first Constituent Congress that had the country. The first years of Peruvian republican history were characterized by constant conflict between warlords, who aimed to govern the country and which tried to take the seat of government. Thus, Lima suffered several sieges and armed clashes in the streets. From a planning point of view, the constant growth experienced by the city gave rise to a phenomenon of modernization. In 1862 began the process of change in the urban nomenclature of the city and in 1868 was given, by order of President Jose Balta, the demolition of the walls that surrounded prepared, leading to the first major avenues.