Lima travel guide — Lima tourism and travel information

Lima travel guide

about Lima

Lima is the capital and the largest city in Peru. It is situated in a valley fed by the Rimac river, in the desert coast of the country near its Pacific port of Callao. Total population (1995 estimate): 6,117,489, approximately one-third of which lives in the shanty town settlements around the city.

It has a very humid climate, with a mild summer (temperature rarely goes above 31° celsius), a humid but mild winter (temperature never below 13°, but with 100% humidity) and no rain worth mentioning. As a result, the sky is almost always overcast, and it is only in summer that the sky clears.

Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, becoming one of the main bases of Spanish power in Peru. Notable buildings include the 16th century Cathedral at the main square, other many churches downtown, and the original building of National University of San Marcos which was built in 1551 and currently is used mostly for official occasions, conferences and the odd public gathering.

During the Spanish colonial era, Lima's cultural supremacy on all of South America was contested perhaps only by Bogota, and its architecture and political importance were equaled only by Mexico City.

In 1746, the greater part of Lima was destroyed in an earthquake.

In the last decade air pollution has risen to quite alarming levels, as no restrictions are allowed on the age or cleanliness of motor vehicles. Leaded petrol is still widely used.

Lima also has considerable industry: the main manufactures include textiles, paper, paint, and food products.

Lima's main passenger gateway for air travellers is Jorge Chavez International Airport.

Popular visitor sights include the upscale neighborhood of Miraflores, which is noted for glassy apartment buildings, restaurants and cafés, upmarket shops and traffic ovalos filled with lush vegetation, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, fog permitting; this provides a dramatic contrast to the shanty towns which cling to hillsides at the north and south end of Lima. The colorfully monumental Plaza de Armas and the spectacular catacombs of Convento de San Francisco are also highly regarded. Many small beaches are situated by the southern highway, but beware the cold sea. In recent years the islands near the port of Callao has gained visitors' attention due to an important population of sea lions at Islas Palomino (Palomino Islands). Also, nice, sunny suburbs of Chosica and Cieneguilla provide a lot of greenery at a short distance.

On April 22, 1997 a 126-day hostage crisis at the residence of the Japanese ambassador in Lima ended after government commandos stormed and captured the building rescuing 71 hostages. One hostage died of a heart attack after he was shot in the femoral vein; two soldiers were killed from rebel fire, and all 14 rebels were slain.

Near cities to Lima

• Callao travel guide 11 km
• Huacho travel guide 120 km
• Pisco travel guide 200 km
• Ayacucho travel guide 330 km
• Chimbote travel guide 370 km
• Trujillo travel guide 490 km
• Pucallpa travel guide 490 km
• Cajamarca travel guide 570 km
• Cusco travel guide 570 km
• Chiclayo travel guide 660 km

Near webcams to Lima

• Lima - Av. Arequipa webcam 0 km
• Lima - Plaza Mayor webcam 2.6 km
• Plaza de Armas webcam 4.1 km
• Quito webcam 1 400 km
• Salta webcam 1 900 km
• Bogota webcam 1 900 km
• Tucuman webcam 2 100 km
• Panama Canal webcam 2 300 km
• El Canal de Panama webcam 2 400 km
• Las Condes webcam 2 500 km

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Lima travel services

cheap flights to Lima

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Lima, cheap flights Lima, also available cheap airline tickets to Peru and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Lima deals also available.

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Lima, accident health Lima travel insurance, all using our online Lima travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Peru. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Lima real estate

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City Travel Guide comes with Lima real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Lima property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Peru, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Lima.

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Lima travel books

Lima travel guide books

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Lima maps and atlases

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