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Encyclopedia :
L :
LI :
LIM :
Lima |
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Lima
Geography and climateLima is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers. With an area of 2,672.28 km², it is the second largest city in the world located in a desert, after Cairo. Due to the Humboldt Current, Lima has a temperate climate, but is shrouded in fog seven months a year. The temperatures in the summer rarely rise above 30°C, while in winter temperatures almost never fall below 10°C. The sky is nearly always overcast. Lima gets virtually no rain. Political divisionThe Lima Province is divided into forty-three districts (Spanish: distritos; singular: distrito), each of which is headed by a mayor (alcalde). See also: Lima Province#Political division DemographicsLima is among the world's most populated cities. Political and economic instability during the latter half of the twentieth century created unprecedented poverty and violence in the rural highlands, forcing millions of campesinos to migrate to Lima looking for work and a better life. Today, almost half the city's population lives in shantytowns, locally known as pueblos jóvenes, many of which lack such basic services as electricity and running water.
HistoryLima was founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535; and became the most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, which encompassed nearly all of Spain's possessions in South America during the colonial era (mid 1500s to early 1800s). The city's cultural importance was contested perhaps only by Bogotá, and its architecture and political importance in Latin America were equalled only by Mexico City.
In 1746, most of the city was destroyed in an earthquake.
In 1997, the Japanese embassy hostage crisis took place in Lima, an affair which received global media attention. It ended on April 22, 1997 when Peruvian Armed Forces commandos stormed the building to resuce the seventy-two hostages. One hostage died of a heart attack, two soldiers were killed, and all fourteen rebels were slain. Universities The city has the largest concentration of higher-education institutions in the country. The Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, founded on May 12 1551, is the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas and one of the most prestigious in Peru; the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú also enjoys high levels of prestige, as do some specialized institutions, such as the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. (See also: List of universities in Peru) Industry Lima has substantial textile, paper, paint, and food products industries. Modern LimaIn recent decades, Lima has rapidly expanded and the city has seen much unregulated develoment. In the last decade, air pollution has risen to alarming levels, as no restrictions are allowed on the age or efficiency of motor vehicles. Leaded petrol is still widely used.
Most of the better hotels and other tourist destinations are located in the upscale neighborhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro. These modern and cosmopolitan districts sharply contrast with the shanty towns that cling to hillsides at the north and south ends of Lima. The "Estadio Monumental "U", located in Lima, is Peru's largest and most modern stadium; it seats eighty-thousand spectators. Transport
Tourist attractionsThe Historical center of Lima, located in downtown Lima and the Rímac district, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due the large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era, a small number of which have now been restored. In particular, the monumental Plaza de Armas, with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, and the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco are popular with visitors. Several sections of the Lima City Walls can still be seen. These fine examples of Spanish medieval fortification were used to defend Lima from attacks from pirates and corsairs. The city also has a number of fine museums, notably the National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History and the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, both in the Pueblo Libre district. Many small beaches, which are heavily visited during the summer months, are located by the southern Pan-American Highway. The most popular ones are located in the districts of Santa María del Mar, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo and Pucusana. Numerous restaurants, clubs and hotels have been opened in these places to serve the many beachgoers. The beaches in Lima itself and north of the city are not suitable for swimming because the city's sewage is dumped raw into the ocean (near the city's southern districts), and the sea current flows northwards. The suburbs of Chosica and Cieneguilla provide attractive green landscapes at a short distance from the city. Because of their elevation (> 500 meters), the sun shines in these areas even during winter and hence they are visited by residents of Lima to escape from the winter fog. Recently, the Palomino Islands near the port of Callao have attracted visitors due to a population of sea lions. See alsoExternal links
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