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Lima, Peru A City by the Coast

Lima, Peru is Peru's capital city, which was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Lima, Peru was officially named Ciudad de los Reyes, but the original name of Lima persisted throughout the years. It is unknown where the original name came from, but it is speculated that the original name is derived from the Aymara word lima-limaq, or yellow flower. An estimated 6.9 million Peruvians live in the city of Lima, Peru today. Lima, Peru is the heart of business within Peru, as well as industry- Lima is the heart of the textile, paper, paint, and food products industries. Lima is perhaps the most famous for it's historical treasures and culture.

During the 1500s to the early 1800s, Lima was the most important city in Spain's Viceroyalty of Peru. The Viceroyalty of Peru was an administrative district set up by Spain in order to better control the South American territories that Spain had conquered. Later in 1746, a series of earthquakes struck Lima, destroying and damaging many buildings. Once Peru gained independence from Spain in 1821, it was only logical tat Lima should be the capital of Peru. Other than these main conflicts, Lima has mainly stood quietly through the decades.

Lima is of particular interest for tourists travelling to Peru, given it's historical significance. One of the most famous tourist attraction is the Historic centre of Lima. This collection of historic buildings was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, because it contained a large number of historic buildings dating back to the Spanish colonial era in Peru. Of particular interest within this historical collection of buildings is also the monumental Plaza Mayor (complete with 16th century cathedral). In addition to the Historic centre of Lima, the original city walls are still standing in some areas, and are viewable at the Lima City Walls park.

If you aren't interested in the history of Lima, there are alternative means of entertainment available. Numerous private and public beaches are located in Lima, such as Santa María del Mar, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo and Pucusana. Also, the Pan-American Highway gives tourists the ability to travel up and down the coastline of Peru, in seek of entertainment. Numerous restaurants (serving Peruvian food of course), night clubs, and theatres are also located in Lima. In addition, the Jorge Chávez International Airport is located in Lima, so you can either fly in directly to Lima, or depart from Lima to the other many remarkable places in Peru.

If you like festivities and celebrations, Lima will not let you down. Lima has roughly one major celebration per month, and when Peruvians party- they party hard! One example would be the famous Pacific International Fair, which includes a remarkable view of the Pacific countries which participate in the event. Another example would be the Lunahuana Adventure Sports Festival, which is a blast for outdoors lovers.

No matter what your interest, Lima will thrill and entertain you for your entire visit. Lima has beautiful weather, with a near-zero elevation, and with temperatures less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Lima has it all, from the local markets selling flowers and food to the exciting festivals and celebrations. When you arrive in Lima, just pick up a city guide, and watch the time fly by! Visit Lima, and see what generations of people before you have seen in this city next to the golden beaches of Peru.