Where is Lima: description, history, sights and interesting facts

Peru is an ancient state with amazing colonial traditions. The land of the Incas will take all travelers a few centuries back to that lost civilization, which preserved to our era a great historical and cultural heritage.

The capital of Peru is called the most unusual city, the thing is that there live a huge number of people of different races and nationalities who practically do not speak English. So, it's time to tell where Lima is, and to describe the main attractions of the largest metropolis.

Ancient capital

The largest city of Peru is in the coastal part of the country. Located at the foot of the majestic Andes and washed by the Pacific Ocean, the capital of the Republic is considered to be a political and cultural center that has absorbed the features of both modern and colonial culture. The city, which preserved the unique color of ancient history, was founded in 1535.

Indian tribes who lived in the territory where Lima is now, repeatedly raised uprisings against the conquerors. However, the established settlement, originally called the "city of kings", grew in stature and even bore the title of capital of the vice-kingdom of Spain.

The long-awaited independence

Lima, which became a place of residence of aristocrats, literally blossoms before our eyes: luxurious residences compete with each other in external decoration, the palaces that are built impress with special refinement and splendor. The capital is gradually turning into the most influential city of Spanish America. Three hundred years Lima was a colonial possession, until in 1821 the Republic of Peru does not receive the long-awaited status of independence, at the same time the cultural center becomes the capital of a free state, it is here that the residence of the government and the president of the country is located.

If to judge objectively, after gaining independence the republic experiences huge difficulties, frequent financial crises do not add stability to the state. According to experts, only since 1993 the rise in the economy of Peru begins, and now the situation is called more or less stable.

Lima - the capital of Peru: a description of the climate

Famous for its developed tourist infrastructure, the city is known for its climate, which is influenced by close proximity to the ocean and proximity to the desert. In general, it can be called comfortable, but very changeable. Bright sun and cloudless days will give wonderful moments of rest in the period from December to March - April months.

During the rest of the year, tourists may be disappointed by the looming strong fogs arising from ocean evaporation, which are called "garua". Cloudy weather without precipitation, but with a lot of humidity, will not seem pleasant to many people. On sunny days, the temperature reaches 28 ° C, and from May to November does not rise above 14 ° C.

Most tourists are not scared, and they enjoy amazing sights all year round. Perhaps many do not know that where Lima is located, the location above sea level creates an ideal atmospheric pressure, because of which the perception of even the most pleasant weather conditions is softened. It must be warned that the capital, built on a kilometer above the ocean, will not suit lovers of splashing in warm waves, but surfers love it, coming to the rocky coast from all over the globe.

The old part of the metropolis

The city, founded by the Spanish conquistador F. Pizarro, strikes the architecture of the old center, called the indigenous population of Limeos. Perfectly preserved over the past centuries, it harmoniously combines the strict style of colonial Spain with a unique Indian. Contributed more than 20 years ago to the UNESCO World Heritage List, the historical part is a small town that remembers the time of the Inquisition and military parades. And all the streets are built in such a way that they intersect strictly at right angles.

Lima, the history, the sights of which are discussed in this article, surprises visitors with ancient palaces that impart a unique flavor to the district that breathes history. In the architectural museum under the open sky is the Palace of Government and the city municipality.

The main square of the historical center is considered the place where the Peruvian capital was born. In times of colonial domination, not only did it lead a lively trade, this place became an arena for bullfighting and there were hanged criminals recognized by the Inquisition. At the end of the XVI century, on the Armory Square, as it is now called, the first luxurious fountain was erected, to which an original city is famous to this day.

Lima, attractions: what to see?

For those who visit Lima for the first time, it is necessary to look at the amazing museums, which are rightfully considered the most extraordinary in the world. Bright expositions will allow everyone to make a journey in time.

The unique Museum of Ceramics named after RL Herrera keeps an ancient collection of Peru, not yet conquered by the Spaniards. Realistic figurines and luxurious vessels of the Mochica Indian culture tell about the life of people who lived in Lima. The museum, divided into several sections, is especially famous for ceramic products with an erotic hint, and the total number of exhibits exceeds 45 thousand.

Another interesting museum, located in a colorful palace, will tell about the birth of the city, and numerous expositions will demonstrate the life of the ancient Indians living in the territory where Lima is now. The Museum of Archeology and Anthropology will transfer everyone in those centuries when the dishes were made from clay, and the sacred monoliths were covered with carvings, which are still being unraveled. The invaluable legacy of the departed civilizations will make you feel the breath of time.

Museum of gold

The Museum of Gold is called the true "cornucopia" of jewelry and jewelry. These are truly stunning collections of all the innumerable wealth of the Incas. A bright sight will delight first of all the beautiful half of humanity, who will forget about everything, looking at luxuriously made earrings, rings and necklaces.

Gold and silver jewelry with inserts made of pearls, lapis lazuli and emerald will delight the skill of the hands that created such a miracle. Men will not be bored in the halls - they will stiffen from the magnificence of the huge weapons collection collected from around the globe.

Archaeological secrets

The capital of Peru - the city of Lima - has absorbed the culture of different eras. The oldest city on the planet is located near the historical center of the republic, in the desert area there are sand dunes, recognized as ruins of the settlement of Karal. Built 5 thousand years ago, the local landmark, attracting tourists from all over the world, is striking with its huge age and special complexity of structures.

Another representative of a bygone civilization is the Pachakamak complex, located in the heart of Lima. For several centuries, the Indians held religious rites here, but after the conquest of the territory by the Spaniards, this place lost its sacred significance. The archaeological complex consists of amazing buildings of temples and pyramids, erected from unburned clay. Now near the site of ancient excavations there is a museum that tells about amazing finds and remains found by scientists.

Fountain complex

The whole world is famous for the grandiose Fountain Park, built recently, the city of Lima - the capital of Peru. The sights of this complex, recognized as the largest on the globe, are even included in the Guinness Book of Records. Pompous structure, which includes 13 fountains, many recognize inappropriate in the city, surrounded on all sides by poorer quarters.

But we must admit the majesty of the interactive park, in which water jets synchronized with musical accompaniment are ejected to 80 meters in height. Every day the city hosts a laser show, amazing in its scale.

The city in which the spirit of time lives

In this article, we examined the history and sights of the city, which was several centuries ago the Spanish outpost. Now no one will have any questions about where Lima is located, whose architecture is recognized as unique throughout the vast continent. An original city, which at first seemed inhospitable because of frequent fogs, is waiting for tourists who dream of touching eternity.