Lima (Lima)

Lima (Lima) – Capital and the largest city of Peru, the most important economic, educational, political and cultural center of the country. The city is located on the Pacific coast, at the foot of the Andes. Population – 8 486 866 people (2007).

The city was founded by the Spaniards on January 18, 1535, called Ciudad de Los Reyes, which translates from Spanish as «City of Kings».

After the proclamation of Peru by the Spanish Vice-Kingdom in 1543, Lima became the main center of Spanish colonialists in South America, one of the richest and most important in the region. In 1820, the city was captured by the army of General San Martin, Boringeing for the independence of Spanish colonies in the region. July 28, 1821 Peru found independence and Lima became the capital of the state.

Modern Lima enters the fourth of the largest cities of South America after San Paulo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. About the past wealth and power of the city, which more than once suffering from catastrophic earthquakes, today reminds, above all, its historical center, with colonial mansions, palaces and churches.

The historic center of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage List.

Climate in Lima – Soft tropical and deserted, with high humidity and very low levels of precipitation. Air temperature all year round range from +16 to +25 °C, February – the most warm month, August – the coldest.

The relative humidity of the air is about 100%, which often leads to resistant fogs, especially in June and December.

The best time to travel to Lima – the period from December to March (local summer). During this period here is a clear sky and very sunny (the best season for a beach holiday). The remaining months of the sky, as a rule, tightened with dense clouds, but rain is extremely rare.

Lima is a city with the highest concentration of museums in Peru, the most famous of them are the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Museum of Gold, Museum of the Inquisition, Museum of Arts, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Nation and Museum of Larco (dedicated to local history and culture).

Plaza de Armaas (Plaza de Armas) or Plaza Mayor (Plaza Mayor) – Main Lima Square, located in the historic center of the city. It is the founding site of the city and its current center. Square surround the main city attractions – the Cathedral, the Palace of the Government, the Palace of Archbishop, the municipal palace and many others.

Lima Cathedral (Catedral De Lima) – was laid in 1535 and later repeatedly rebuilt. Located on the main square of the city «Plaza de Armaas». The temple is a building in the appearance, which various architectural styles are shifted – Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance. Such a rich difference in styles is due to long construction and numerous reconstructions made by different architects after earthquakes.

Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno Del Perú) – was built by the Spaniards in 1535 on the sacred land owned by the Indian leader Taulichusco (Taulichusco).
The palace survived six destructive earthquakes, four robbers and three fires, because of which he was almost completely destroyed, he was restored, it was rebuilt. Last major restoration was here in 1938.

Palace Archbishop (Palacio Arzobispal de Lima) – Located on the main square of the city and is the operating residence of the archbishop of Lima. The current building with a baroque facade and magnificent carved balconies was built in 1924, on the site of the previously destroyed palace, built in the middle of the XVI century.

Municipal Palace (Palacio Municipal de Lima) – Located on the main square of Lima and is one of the most popular architectural attractions of the city. The current building was built in the period from 1943 to 1944. Today here is the city hall.

Palacio de Torre Tagle (Palacio de Torre Tagle) – Palace in the center of Lima, built in 1735 by the treasurer of the Spanish Royal Fleet Jose Talle and Brachio in the style of Seville Baroque.

The main architectural features of the Palace – along with carved columns, the building has two balconies made of mahogany and cedar.

In the palace 14 rooms, kitchen, dining room, a small chapel and an elegant salon, decorated with a magnificent decorative tiled in Spanish-Mauritan style and mirrors.

Since now in the Torre Talier Palace, Mida Peru headquarters is located for free visits, excursions are occasionally occasionally and only by appointment.

Monastery and Church of San Francisco (BASíLica Y Convento de San Francisco de Lima) – is one of the few urban buildings preserved in Lima from colonial times. His construction was started in 1542 and ended only in 1672.

The monastery and the church survived several strong earthquakes in the 17th and 18th centuries, and were very affected by the earthquake in 1970.

In the basement of the monastery there is a network of underground galleries and catacombs who served as a cemetery in the colonial period. Here buried slaves and poor. Also in the building is the Museum of Religion and Art.

District Miraflores (Distrito de Miraflores) – Known by its shopping centers and boutiques, nightclubs, luxurious parks, gardens and beaches. It is considered one of the most highly qualified areas in Lima.

Museum of Gold (Museum Of Gold) – Here is a unique collection of gold jewelry, corporal objects and textiles of the Indian tribes of pre-columbian times.

Pachakamac (Pachacamac) – Archaeological complex in the west of the central part of Peru, located approximately 40 km south-east of the Lima Center.

It is an ancient Indian city, with pyramids (archaeologists have identified at least 17 pyramids), temples, buildings and cemeteries. Most of the Pachakamak buildings were built in the period from 800 to 1450 of our era. Many of the local pyramids are still buried under the sand.

Pachakamak complex is the most significant archaeological find in the vicinity of the capital.

Jorge Chavez International Airport (Jorge CHáVEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) – Main Lima Air Gate. Located in the northwestern part of the city, 8 km from his historic center.