Lima

Capital and largest city of Peru, on the River Rímac, 13 km/8 mi from its Pacific port of Callao; population (2005) 7,553,400; urban agglomeration 7,819,400. A rapidly growing metropolitcan area, it comprises about one-third of the country's total population and is the main commercial, manufacturing, and cultural centre of the country. Industries include textiles, motor vehicles, petroleum products, chemicals, glass, and cement.

History

Features Surviving structures of the Spanish colonial period include the National University of San Marcos, founded in 1551, and the oldest in the Western Hemisphere; the government palace (the rebuilt palace of the viceroys); the Senate House, originally the headquarters of the Inquisition; the church of Santo Domingo built on land granted to a Dominican friar in 1535 (built 1540–99); La Merced church, built on the site of the first mass held in Lima in 1534. The cathedral, begun in 1555 and built on the southeastern side of the Plaza de Armas, was destroyed by earthquakes and was reconstructed several times, most recently in 1746. A third of the population live in overcrowded shanty towns (Pueblo Jóvenes) on the outskirts of the city.

The city suffers from severe pollution, both air pollution and coastal sea pollution. A local convective fog dominates between April and December, and from January to March smog is common.

Lima

City and administrative headquarters of Allen County, northwest Ohio, on the Ottawa River, 111 km/69 mi north of Dayton; population (1990) 45,550. It is the centre of a rich agricultural region. Formerly a major oil boom town (1885–1910), it remains an oil pipeline and refining centre. Manufactured goods include cranes and power shovels, aircraft parts, automobile engines, tanks, machine tools, electric motors, neon signs, chemicals, and cigars.

Lima was laid out in 1831 and incorporated as a city in 1842. In the 19th century it developed as a centre for the surrounding oilfields, which were discovered in 1885.Local attractions include Fort Amanda State Park, the site of a fort built during the War of 1812.

Lima

Department in central Peru; area 34,797 sq km/13,435 sq mi; population (1996) 6,931,587. The terrain of the department is highly varied, encompassing both coastal desert and rugged highland areas. Cotton, maize, and other food crops are grown with the aid of irrigation in the main river valleys, such as those of the Rimac, Chillon, Lurin, Pativilca and Supe. There are many small fishing ports on the coast, and working mines in the highlands (for example at Cerro de Pasco), especially in the province of Huarochiri. Important Inca ruins are found at Pachacamac, Para Monga, and the coastal site of Cajamarquilla.