LIMA

The department of Lima is located in the Middle Western part of Peru. The western part is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the eastern part by the Andes. It has an extension of 33,820 km2 and the population consists of 7 million inhabitants, almost a third part of the total population of Peru.

1. Brief Historical Review
   Lima, also known as "The city of the kings", was founded on the 18th of January, 1535, on the banks of the river Rímac, by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro, chosen for its good strategic and geographic location. The word "Lima” comes from "Rímac" a Quechua word that means talkative river.
   
   During the 16th and 17th centuries also known as the period of the viceroys, Lima became the most important and powerful city in this part of the continent, and the centre for all commercial and cultural activities.
   
   On the 28th July, 1821, following the decline of the regime of the viceroys and a series of political movements which led to emancipation, General José de San Martin proclaimed the independence of Peru, and the period of the Republic began.

1. Museums and Large Houses
   Places like Torre Tagle, Casa de Pilatos, Palacio de Osambela, Museo de la Nación, Museo Nacional de Antropología y Arqueología, Museo Nacional de Historia, Museo de Oro del Perú, Museo Amano, Museo de Arte Italiano, Museo de Arte, and the Museo Larco Herrera, show the beauty of the city's colonial architecture and allows the visitor to appreciate the entire history of the country, from the Inca Empire to the present day. In the different museums and mansions there are permanent exhibits of ancient pottery, textiles, pre-Hispanic gold and silver work from the colonial and republican periods.
 
2. Costa Verde
   This is an area of beaches that bring together the six districts of the capital. They are quick and easy to visit for those who love the sea and would like to swim, practice surfing, parachuting and wing flying.
   
   
   
   
   
 
3. Pachacamac
   This pre-Inca temple, which served as an oracle of the god Pachacámac, it was built with different levels, passageways and labyrinths. It has got a local modern museum where archaeological finds are exhibited from the excavations. It is located 33 km south of the capital and is close to some of the most beautiful beaches of the south.
 
4. Cañete
   A southern province located one hour from the capital, with amazing beaches, creeks for fishing and archaeological areas. The town of Lunahuaná belongs to this province, with impressive natural areas for canoeing, fishing and hunting.