Callao

Chief commercial port of Peru, situated 12 km/7 mi northwest of Lima on Callas Bay; sheltered by the island of San Lorenzo; population (2005) urban agglomeration 810,600 (part of metropolitan Lima). The port handles 75% of Peru's imports and 25% of its exports. Exports include petroleum, minerals (copper, iron, silver, zinc, lead) cotton, sugar, and coffee. Manufactures include petrochemical products, fertilizers, textiles, and leather goods. It has a dockyard and an oil refinery. Callao is now contiguous with Lima and the combined metropolitan area produces 75% of Peru's manufactures.

Callao was founded in 1537, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1746 and had to be rebuilt. In 1851 the first railway in South America was contructed here, connecting Callao with Lima. The port suffered further earthquake damage in 1940 and was modernized in the 1950s.

Callao

Maritime department and constitutional province in western Peru, lying on the arid Pacific littoral between Lima and the sea; area 147 sq km/57 sq mi; population (1996) 699,585. The department comprises the territory around the port and capital, Callao, and a few islands.

Callao

Port and capital of Callao department and constitutional province in western Peru; population (1996) 512,200. The town handles 75% of Peru's imports and approximately 25% of its exports. The inner harbour covers 1 sq km/0.4 sq mi. The port is linked by rail to Lima and there is also an airport.