Lima

Lima
Lima
	Flag of Lima Flag Seal
	Nickname: City of the Kings
	Motto: Hoc signum vere regum est
	Lima Province and Lima within Peru Lima Province and Lima within Peru
Country	Peru
Region	Lima Region
Province	Lima Province
Settled	January 18, 1535
Government
• Mayor	Luis Castañeda Lossio
Area
• City	804.3 km2 (310.5 sq mi)
• Water	75.7 km2 (29.2 sq mi) 5.8%
• Urban	4,319.9 km2 (1,667.9 sq mi)
Elevation	0 - 1,548 m (0 - 5,079 ft)
Population (2006)
• City	7,819,436
• Density	8,544/km2 (22,130/sq mi)
• Urban	7,629,407
• Metro	9,241,961
Time zone	UTC-5 (PET)
Website	www.munlima.gob.pe

Lima, is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It forms a contiguous urban area with the seaport of Callao.

Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as the City of the Kings. It became the most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and, after the Peruvian War of Independence, the capital of the Republic of Peru. Today around one-third of the Peruvian population lives in its metropolitan area.

Etymology

The first name of the city was City of the Kings (Spanish: Ciudad de los Reyes) because its foundation was decided on January 6, date of the feast of the Epiphany. However, Lima, the original native name, persisted. It is uncertain where this name originated; it may derive either from the Aymara word lima–limaq, (yellow flower) or from Quechuan rimaq (talking), pronounced IPA: ['li-ma:] in the ancient local variety. In the oldest Spanish maps of Peru, Lima and Ciudad de los Reyes can be seen together as names of the city. The river that feeds Lima is still called Rimac, Quechua for "Talking river".

History

During the early 16th century, the location of what is now the city of Lima was inhabited by several amerindian groups under the domination of the Inca Empire. In 1532, a group of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro defeated the Inca ruler and took over his empire. Pizarro initially chose the city of Jauja as his capital but found a better site in the valley of the Rímac River. There he founded his new capital on January 18, 1535 as Ciudad de los Reyes. The city gained prestige as it was designated capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and site of a Real Audiencia in 1543. Its first university, Saint Mark University was established in 1551 and its first printing press in 1584. It also became an important religious center, a Roman Catholic diocese was established in 1541 and converted to an archdiocese five years later.

The city flourished during the 17th century as the center of an extensive trade network which extended as far as Europe and the Philippines.^[3] However, it also suffered considerable damage from two earthquakes in 1630 and 1687. Another danger was the presence of pirates and privateers in the Pacific Ocean. To protect the city against them, Viceroy Melchor de Navarra y Rocafull built a wall around it between 1684 and 1687. In the 18th century, Lima had to be rebuilt after being almost completely destroyed by an earthquake on October 28, 1746. This natural disaster led to the appearance of an intense devotion for the Lord of the Miracles, which has endured until today.

On July 28, 1821, José de San Martín declared the independence of Peru. After the war, endemic political turmoil and lack of economic resources slowed Lima's recovery. In the mid 19th century, an economic boom sustained on guano exports allowed several improvements to the city. In 1872, the city walls were torn down to make way for the expansion of the city. During the 1879–1883 War of the Pacific, Chilean troops occupied Lima after defeating Peruvian resistance in the battles of San Juan and Miraflores. The city went through a process of urban renewal and expansion from the 1890s up to the 1920s. In the 1940s, the city started a period of rapid growth spurred by immigration from the Andean regions of Peru. Population, estimated at 600,000 in 1940, doubled by 1960 and again by 1980. Growth far outstripped public services development, giving rise to large shanty towns, known as pueblos jóvenes.

Geography

The urban area of Lima covers about 800 km². It is located on mostly flat terrain in the Peruvian coastal plain, within the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers. The city slopes gently from the shores of the Pacific Ocean into valleys and mountain slopes located as high as 500 metres above mean sea level. Within the city exist isolated hills which are not connected to the surrounding hill chains, such as El Agustino, San Cosme, El Pino, La Milla, Muleria and Pro hills. The San Cristobal hill, which directly faces north of the downtown area, is the local extreme of an Andean hill outgrowth.

While no official administrative definition for the city exists, it is usually considered to be composed of the central 30 out of the 43 districts of Lima Province, corresponding to an urban area centered on the historic Cercado de Lima district. The city is the core of the Lima Metropolitan Area, one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the Americas.

Climate

Lima's climate is quite mild, despite being located in the Tropics. Lima has a subtropical and desert climate, yet the microclimate also makes it very humid. The temperatures vary from mild to warm (neither very cold or hot).The average temperature is 18 °C to 19 °C (60–65 °F). The lowest temperatures vary from 12 °C (50 °F) to around 20 °C (68 °F) and the high average is around 25 °C (78 °F), with 30 °C (86 °F) in the warmest of days.

Relative humidity is very high, and produces brief morning fog from June to December and persistent low clouds from May to November. Sunny, less moist and warm summers follow from December to April and are followed by cloudy, damp and cool winters (June to October). Rainfall is almost unknown. The yearly average of 0.7 cm (0.3in) reported at the airport is the lowest of any large metropolitan area in the world. Inland locations receive 1 to 6 cm of rainfall, which accumulates mainly during the winter months. Summer rain occurs in the form of isolated light and brief afternoon or evening events, leftover from afternoon storms that generate over the Andes. The peak of the 'rainy season,' which really does not apply, occurs during winter when late-night/morning drizzle events (locally called 'garúa','llovizna' or 'camanchacas') become frequent. All these climatic phenomena arise from the combination of semi-permanent coastal upwelling and the presence of the cold Humboldt Current just offshore.

One thing to take into consideration is that because of the coast, hills and valleys, there is no single climate for all of Lima. For example, in winter the Surco area of Lima, which is closer to the coast, will be cool and damp. In contrast, the more elevated next district, La Molina, will be warmer and drier. The Cieneguilla area, about 30 minutes drive to the east of La Molina, provides sunshine and spring-like weather seemingly year round. Lima is described as having micro-climates: while winter is generally winter in all of Lima, a 30 minute drive in any direction can result in a slightly warmer, drier, wetter or colder area depending on the elevation and distance to the coast. The same is true for the other seasons.

Demographics

Lima ranks as the nineteenth most populous city in the world with an estimated population of 7.6 million for the urban area, 7.8 million for the entire province, and 9.2 million for the metropolitan area as of 2005.^[4] Its population features a very complex mix of racial and ethnic groups. Traditionally, Mestizos of mixed European (mostly Spanish) and Amerindian descent are the largest contingent . However, political and economic instability in Peru during the latter half of the twentieth century created unprecedented poverty and violence in the towns of the countryside or Andean highlands, forcing hundreds of thousands of peasants of full-blooded Amerindian descent to migrate to Lima — thus greatly augmenting Lima's population.^[5] Unlike other ethnic groups in Lima who speak only Spanish, most of the peasant population that migrated to Lima speaks primarily Quechua or Aymara, rather than Spanish. While a number of Amerindians eventually attain middle class status, others still live in shantytowns, known locally as pueblos jóvenes (young towns). These areas often lack such basic services as electricity and running water. Europeans, the economically dominant segment of the population, are mostly of Spanish descent, but there are significant numbers of Italians, Germans, and Middle Easterners. Afro-Peruvians, initially brought to the region as slaves, are yet another important part of the city's ethnic quilt, and Asians, an even smaller one.

Economy

File:Sanisidro.jpg

San Isidro is considered Peru's main business hub.

The Peruvian capital concentrates more than two thirds of the industrial production of the country and is the main financial center as well. Most economic activity concentrates around the sectors of industry, commerce, services, and tourism. The city is the headquarters of many national corporations which are headquartered in modern skyscrapers. Unlike many other large metropolitan areas, the main financial center is not located downtown, but rather in San Isidro. Downtown Lima is mainly a cultural and political center with main government buildings such as Peruvian Congress, Palace of Justice, City Hall and Palace of Government. Located as well in the downtown, is the colonial architecture and other important buildings forming the Historic Centre of Lima.

Districts

Marriott hotel in the Miraflores Boulevard

Lima city proper is composed of the densely-populated, thirty central districts of the Lima province. Each district is headed by a mayor, although the Metropolitan Lima Municipal Council (Spanish: Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima)—led by the mayor of Lima—also has authority in these central districts and the thirteen outer districts.

The historic centre of the city is located in the Lima district and is locally known as Enclosed Lima (Spanish: Cercado de Lima), or simply as "Centro". This is where most vestiges of Lima's colonial heyday remain, as well as the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Lima Municipal Council.

The districts of Miraflores and San Isidro represent modern Lima with its financial center, upscale hotels and restaurants. Barranco, to the south of Miraflores, is a bohemian neighborhood and has earned recognition for its population of writers and intellectuals. The modern residential areas are located in the districts La Molina, San Borja and Santiago de Surco. The sub-district of Monterrico, located in Surco, houses the American Embassy, as well as the exclusive Club Polo Lima.

Pueblo Libre is a district centered around museums and cultural outlets next to Magdalena del Mar.

San Juan De Lurigancho is a very densely populated area which, while not it is not technically a pueblo joven, it hosts some of the worst living conditions within the city.

The most populous districts of Lima lie in the north and south ends of the city. Their population is composed mainly of immigrants from other regions of Peru. Many of them arrived during the mid and late twentieth century after being displaced by natural disasters, terrorism, agrarian crises, and general economic frustration. They populated the vast desert areas and hillsides in the districts of the Cono Norte and Cono Sur areas, where they have created slums known as pueblos jóvenes. In recent years, however, the economic situation in these districts is improving at a steady but slow pace. The number of businesses and operations being performed is increasing.

Education

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National University of San Marcos clock tower on its historical campus.

The city has the largest concentration of higher-education institutions in the country (28 universities) and schools with world-wide recognition. The National University of San Marcos, founded on May 12 1551 during Spanish colonial regime, is the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas. Other public universities also play key roles in teaching and research, such as the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, among others. The prestigious Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, established in 1917, is the oldest private university. Other notable private institutions that are located in the city are Universidad de Lima, Universidad Científica del Sur, Universidad San Martín de Porres, Universidad del Pacifico, Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas and Universidad Ricardo Palma. In addition, there are many schools which provide high-quality education as in First World countries such as Markham College (British), École du Lycée Franco-Péruvien (French) and Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt (American) among other religious schools such as Colegio Santa Maria Marianistas, Colegio de la Inmaculada and Colegio Villa María.

Transportation

File:Limaatpeakhours.JPG

Javier Prado Avenue.

Lima is serviced by air through Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru's main hub for both national and international air traffic.^[6]

Lima does have a public bus system. Private buses, commonly known as micros or combis, are ubiquitous and very inexpensive but their routes are confusing especially to foreigners. Combis are often crowded and poorly maintained. Numerous inter-urban bus companies offer transportation to other cities in Peru. Quality varies depending on the price, from luxury express buses to uncomfortable and crowded micros.

Taxis

Taxis vary in quality of service and price. They can be stopped at any street, or private taxi companies can be called to pick up passengers at a certain address. To improve the quality of taxis running in Lima, a new law^{[citation needed]} has been promulgated forbidding the import of used cars; the city of Lima hopes that this law will promote the use of newer cars in the city, reducing vehicle emissions and smog.

Nowadays Lima's mayor is working on a new bus system called Metropolitano where all buses will have exclusive lines; it has been told that new buses must be acquired by the companies working in the metropolitan area, these buses will be bought from a Chinese company, the same company that sells buses to Italy. The mayor's hope is to see a new massive transport system in the next few years.

Metro

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Future Metro Network consisting of 7 lines and several stations.

Lima has a rapid transit rail system called the Lima Metro; however, the project has been paralized since the 1980's, due to the economic crisis that Peru suffered more than 20 years ago. Nonetheless, in an agreement signed by Mayor Luis Castañeda and the former President Alejandro Toledo on February 17, 2005, it was concluded that the State would provide funding for finishing the Lima Metro. At the moment, a "convocatoria" has been launched by government to give in concession what is left to be built of Line 1. The enterprise that would own the rights to build Line 1 will be announced on December, 2007. This line should be ready and working by 2009. The current project includes an above-ground mass-transit system which will link the downtown area with the financial district, San Isidro, and the southern suburbs. ^[7]

El Metropolitano

The Metropolitan System of Transport, is a project of reconstruction of the urban transport in bus for the city of Lima, that at the moment is in works.

Culture

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Cathedral of Lima at night.

The Palace of Justice headquarters of the Supreme Court of Peru.

The Historic centre of Lima was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, the Plaza Mayor, with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, and the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco are popular tourist attractions. Like many other world capitals, Lima is home to the most prestigious Peruvian museums: including the National Museum of Anthropology, Archeology, and History and the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, both in the Pueblo Libre district; and the Museum of the Nation.

Many small beaches, which are heavily visited during the summer months, are located along the southern Pan-American Highway. The most well-known ones are located in the districts of Santa María del Mar, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo and Pucusana. And Lima's wealthy families usually go during summer to the highly exclusive beaches of Asia 97 kilometers south of Lima. Also, the district of Ancón, located north of the city, has a very popular beach resort. Numerous restaurants, clubs and hotels have been opened in these places to serve the many beachgoers. The beaches in Lima itself are not suitable for swimming because the city's sewage is dumped raw into the ocean.

The suburban district of Cieneguilla and the town of Chosica (in the Lurigancho District) provide attractive green landscapes at a short distance from the city. Because of their elevation (over 500 meters), the sun shines in these areas even during winter and hence they are visited by residents of Lima to escape from the winter fog, lounging and spending weekends in hotels and country restaurants.

Lima has a varied culinary tradition, which fusions Andean and Spanish culinary traditions, as well as some African, Asian (mainly Chinese and Japanese), French, Italian and Muslim cuisine. The city is rapidly becoming world-famous for its seafood and unique vegetables, creole, Peruvian–Chinese (called chifa) and fusion cuisine. You may try them all across the countless Lima Restaurants.