"The City of the Kings"

Location
Central Coast, 154 meters above sea level. (505 feet)

Population
Metropolitan Lima and Callao 7'497,000 inhabitants (2000)

Weather:

Called "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) for the Spanish conquerors, it was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18th , 1535 on Rímac Valley, in which diverse pre-Inca towns had been developed, then dominated by the Inca nation.

Today it is a great city, it is the capital of the Republic of Peru, and it is a great metropolis with near 8 million inhabitants.

Its historical center and San Francisco's Convent have been denominated by UNESCO "Cultural World Heritage Site" because of the beauty and wealth of much of their constructions.

During the colonial time, it was the most important city in South America and it concentrated the whole trade of the Hispanic colonies toward Spain, reaching their maximum splendor during the XVII and XVIII centuries. It was the capital of "Nueva Castilla" also after the Viceroyalty of Peru. From Callao (port), many territories in the Pacific coast were discovered such as the Polynesia, and nowadays you can discover all the enchantments of Peru.

In Lima you will find imposing colonial constructions, museums in which you will be able to recreate a complete image of the millennial Peruvian past in its archeology, history, art and pre-Inca archaeological locations.

Certainly, like a modern and cosmopolitan city, it offers all the tourist services, an excellent and modern hotel infrastructure, a great variety of attraction centers, cultural and night amusement, luxurious casinos and gambling houses, and excellent restaurants, in which the exquisite and variety Peruvian food prevails.

"But the most important thing is that you are going to find the hospitality and warmth of the people".

In general, Lima is the entrance door to Peru. Through its International Airport "Jorge Chávez", with direct flights and connections with the main cities of the world. From Lima, you will be able to begin trips to all the cities of the interior of the country, to discover and enjoy all the tourist attractiveness of this millennial country.

Visiting Lima

Historical Center: (declared "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO). During the colonial time, the city of Lima, headquarters of the Viceroy, was walled, and in this area the main Spanish constructions were built constituting invaluable historical monuments. San Francisco's Convent, also declared "World Heritage Site" for the artistic jewels that it possesses and for their beautiful architecture.

Archaeological places: The geographical area of Lima before the Spanish foundation in 1535, was inhabited by diverse pre-Inca towns and then dominated by the Incas, who have bequeathed magnificent constructions and temples, conserved and restored, outstanding Pachacámac, Puruchuco, Cajamarquilla, Huaca Pucllana, among others.

Museums: To come closer to the millennial Peruvian culture, Lima has diverse museums, the best ones of Peru, on which you would be transport in the archaeological, historic and artistic ambits. The museums of Lima keep the richest collections in the whole Peruvian past.

Rímac: Urban center located in the north bank of the Rímac river, in which you will be able to find beautiful colonial constructions, museums and the famous "Plaza de Toros de Acho" (Bullfight Plaza of Acho).

Barranco: District of Lima called "The city of the Mills", gentle place visited by poets, artists and bohemians. At nights it offers big cultural and amusement shows.

San Isidro and Miraflores: These are two districts of Lima that are characterized by the modernity of their constructions and services, and today they concentrate most of the best hotel establishments, restaurants, shopping centers, show centers, and the banking, commercial and managerial system.