Lima
Also known as the “City of Kings”, Lima is located on the central coast at 154 MASL and was founded by Francisco Pizarro January 18, 1535. During the colonial era it was the capital of the Viceroyalty and in the Republican era it was converted into the capital of the Republic of Peru, which it continues to be to this day.
Lima has a tropical climate with an average annual temperature of 18.5-19°C, the highest recorded temperature being 29°C. In the summer months (December-April) the temperature varies between 28 and 21°C and in the winter months (May-November) it varies between 12 and 19°C.
Lima is connected to the world’s major cities by Peru’s main port of entry and exit, Jorge Chávez International Airport.
The historic center of Lima was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO.
Among the most important places to visit in Lima are:
- Historic Center of Lima
This is one of the main tourist attractions in Lima and comprises the central district of the city. In the historic center you will find the Plaza Mayor (main square), which is bound by three of Lima’s most important colonial buildings: the Cathedral, the Palace of the Viceroys, and the current governmental palace known as the “House of Pizarro and the Municipality”. There are also several churches, some of which feature catacombs, and colonial mansions.
- The museums of Lima
Lima boasts of several important museums that are all very worthwhile to visit. They are the following: The Museum of Anthropology and Archeology, which has an impressive collection of ceramics, textiles, and artifacts made from precious metals from the ancient cultures of Chavín, Mochica, Chimú, Tiahuanaco, Pucará, Paracas, Nazca and Inca; the Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World, which contains a large collection of pre-Inca artifacts, especially from the Mochica, Chimú and Nazca cultures, they also have on display weapons dating back to the 16th century; the Museum of Art, which has a rich collection of ceramics, textiles, pre-Hispanic gold work, painting, and silversmithing from the colonial and republican eras, giving an overview of 3000 years of the history of Peru from the times of Chavín up to the modern day. Other museums include the National History Museum, the Larco Museum, etc.
- Caral
Caral is considered the most ancient city in the Americas with dates that place it between 2626 and 2100 BCE. The sacred city covers an expanse of approximately 66 hectares. The architectural complex is located in Barranca on the right hand side of the Supe River valley at an altitude of 350 MASL, about 200 km north of Lima at the 23 km marker of the Pan-American highway.
- Paramonga fortress
Located 4 km from the city of Paramonga, near the border between the departments of Ancash and Lima at the 209 km marker on the northern Pan-American highway, this is a pyramidal structure from the Chimu culture built of abobe bricks and mud mortar surrounded by attractive countryside and fertile valleys.
