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.