Lima

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This article is about the capital of Peru. For other uses, see Lima (disambiguation).

Lima

Capital city

Lima

Lima2017.png

From top, left to right: Costa Verde (Miraflores District), Plaza Mayor of Lima, Cathedral of
Lima, Park of the Reserve, Skyline of the San Isidro District, Monastery of San Francisco, Skyline
of the city of Lima

Flag of Lima

Flag Coat of arms of Lima

Coat of arms

Nickname(s): Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings)

La Tres Veces Coronada Villa (The Three Times Crowned Ville)

La Perla del Pacífico (The Pearl of the Pacific)

Lima la Gris (Lima the Grey)

Lima is located in PeruLimaLima

Location within Peru

Show map of Peru

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Show all

Coordinates: 12°03′S 77°02′WCoordinates: 12°03′S 77°02′W

Country Peru

Region Lima

Province Lima

Established 18 January 1535

Founded by Francisco Pizarro

Government

• Mayor Jorge Muñoz Wells

Area

• City 2,672.3 km2 (1,031.8 sq mi)

• Urban 800 km2 (300 sq mi)

• Metro 2,819.3 km2 (1,088.5 sq mi)

Elevation[1] 0–1,550 m (0–5,090 ft)

Population (2017)[3]

• Urban 8,852,000

• Urban density 11,000/km2 (29,000/sq mi)

• Metro 10,072,000[2]

Demonyms Limeño (Male)

Limeña (Female)

Time zone UTC−5 (PET)

UBIGEO

15000

Area code 1

Website munlima.gob.pe

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Criteria Cultural: iv

Reference 500

Inscription 1988 (12th Session)

Lima (/ˈliːmə/, Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlima], Quechua: [ˈlɪma], Aymara: [ˈlima]) is the capital
and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in
the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the
seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. With
a population of more than 9 million,[4] Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru
and the third-largest city in the Americas (as defined by "city proper"), behind São Paulo and
Mexico City.
Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on 18 January 1535, as Ciudad de
los Reyes in the agricultural region known by the Indians as Limaq, name that acquired over
time. It became the capital and most important city in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Following the
Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru (República del
Perú). Around one-third of the national population lives in the metropolitan area.

Lima is home to one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the New World. The
National University of San Marcos, founded on 12 May 1551, during the Spanish colonial
regime, is the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas.

Nowadays the city is considered as the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of
the country. Internationally, it is one of the thirty most populated urban agglomerations in the
world. Due to its geostrategic importance, it has been defined as a "beta" city.

Jurisdictionally, the metropolis extends mainly within the province of Lima and in a smaller
portion, to the west, within the constitutional province of Callao, where the seaport and the
Jorge Chávez airport are located. Both provinces have regional autonomy since 2002.

In October 2013, Lima was chosen to host the 2019 Pan American Games, these games will be
held at venues in and around Lima, and will be the largest sporting event ever hosted by the
country. It also hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2014 and
the Miss Universe 1982 contest.

Contents

1 Etymology

2 Symbols

2.1 Flag

2.2 Anthem

3 History

4 Geography

4.1 Climate
5 Demographics

6 Economy

7 Government

7.1 National

7.2 Local

7.3 Political system

7.4 International organizations

8 Cityscape

9 Society and culture

9.1 Language

9.2 Museums

9.3 Tourism

9.4 Food

9.5 Sports

10 Subdivisions

11 Education

12 Transportation

12.1 Air

12.2 Road

12.3 Maritime

12.4 Rail

12.5 Public

12.5.1 Colectivos

12.5.2 Metropolitan Transport System

12.5.3 Metro

12.6 Other transportation issues

13 Challenges
13.1 Environment

13.1.1 Air

13.1.2 Water

13.1.3 Solid waste

13.2 Access to basic services

13.3 Security

14 Notable people from Lima

15 International relations

15.1 Twin towns – Sister cities

16 See also

17 References

17.1 Further reading

17.1.1 General

17.1.2 History

17.1.3 Demographics

18 External links

Etymology

Lima Foundation by Francisco Pizarro (1535)

According to early Spanish articles the Lima area was once called Itchyma, after its original
inhabitants. However, even before the Inca occupation of the area in the 15th century, a
famous oracle in the Rímac valley had come to be known by visitors as Limaq (Limaq,
pronounced [ˈli.mɑq], which means "talker" or "speaker" in the coastal Quechua that was the
area's primary language before the Spanish arrival). This oracle was eventually destroyed by
the Spanish and replaced with a church, but the name persisted: the chronicles show "Límac"
replacing "Ychma" as the common name for the area.[5]

Modern scholars speculate that the word "Lima" originated as the Spanish pronunciation of
the native name Limaq. Linguistic evidence seems to support this theory as spoken Spanish
consistently rejects stop consonants in word-final position. Non-Peruvian Spanish speakers
may mistakenly define the city name as the direct Spanish translation of "lime", the citrus fruit.
Lima Cathedral in 1846

The city was founded in 1535 under the name City of the Kings (Spanish: Ciudad de los Reyes)
because its foundation was decided on 6 January, date of the feast of the Epiphany. This name
quickly fell into disuse and Lima became the city's name of choice; on the oldest Spanish maps
of Peru, both Lima and Ciudad de los Reyes can be seen together.

The river that feeds Lima is called Rímac and many people erroneously assume that this is
because its original Inca name is "Talking River" (the Incas spoke a highland variety of Quechua
in which the word for "talker" was pronounced [ˈrimɑq]).[6] However, the original inhabitants
of the valley were not Incas. This name is an innovation arising from an effort by the Cuzco
nobility in colonial times to standardize the toponym so that it would conform to the
phonology of Cuzco Quechua.

Later, as the original inhabitants died out and the local Quechua became extinct, the Cuzco
pronunciation prevailed. Nowadays, Spanish-speaking locals do not see the connection
between the name of their city and the name of the river that runs through it. They often
assume that the valley is named after the river; however, Spanish documents from the colonial
period show the opposite to be true.[5]

Symbols

Flag

Historically, the Flag of Lima has been known as the "Banner of Peru's Kings' City".[7] It is made
from a golden-colored silk canvas and embroidered in the center is its coat of arms.[7]

Anthem

Lima's anthem was heard for the first time on 18 January 2008, in a formal meeting with
important politicians, including Peruvian President Alan García, and other authorities. The
anthem was created by Luis Enrique Tord (lyrics), Euding Maeshiro (music) and record
producer Ricardo Núñez (arranger).[8]

History

Main articles: History of Lima and Timeline of Lima

Pachacamac was an important religious centre before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors.

Balconies were a major architectural feature during the colonial period.

In the pre-Columbian era, what is now Lima was inhabited by indigenous groups under the
Ychsma policy, which was incorporated into the Inca Empire in the 15th century.[9] In 1532 a
group of Spanish conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro, defeated the Inca ruler Atahualpa
and took over his empire.

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Founder of Lima

As the Spanish Crown had named Pizarro governor of the lands he conquered,[10] he chose
the Rímac Valley to found his capital on 18 January 1535, as Ciudad de los Reyes (City of the
Kings).[11] In August 1536, rebel Inca troops led by Manco Inca Yupanqui besieged the city but
were defeated by the Spaniards and their native allies.[12]

Lima gained prestige after being designated capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and site of a Real
Audiencia in 1543.[13] During the next century it flourished as the centre of an extensive trade
network that integrated the Viceroyalty with the rest of the Americas, Europe and the Far
East.[14] However, the city was not free from dangers; the presence of pirates and privateers
in the Pacific Ocean lead to the building of the Walls of Lima between 1684 and 1687.[15] The
1687 Peru earthquake destroyed most of the city buildings;[16] the earthquake marked a
turning point in the city's history as it coincided with a trade recession and growing economic
competition with cities such as Buenos Aires.[17]

In 1746, another powerful earthquake severely damaged Lima and destroyed Callao, forcing a
massive rebuilding effort under Viceroy José Antonio Manso de Velasco.[18] In the later half of
the 18th century, Enlightenment ideas on public health and social control shaped
development.[19] During this period, Lima was adversely affected by the Bourbon Reforms as
it lost its monopoly on overseas trade and its control over the mining region of Upper
Peru.[20] The city's economic decline left its elite dependent on royal and ecclesiastical
appointment and thus, reluctant to advocate independence.[21]

A combined expedition of Argentine and Chilean patriots under General José de San Martín
landed south of Lima in 1820 but did not attack the city. Faced with a naval blockade and the
action of guerrillas on land, Viceroy José de la Serna e Hinojosa evacuated its capital in July
1821 to save the Royalist army.[22] Fearing a popular uprising and lacking any means to
impose order, the city council invited San Martín to enter Lima and signed a Declaration of
Independence at his request.[23] However, the war was not over; in the next two years the
city changed hands several times.

The Walls of Lima were built between 1684 and 1687 by viceroy Melchor de Navarra.

After independence, Lima became the capital of the Republic of Peru but economic stagnation
and political turmoil brought urban development to a halt. This hiatus ended in the 1850s,
when increased public and private revenues from guano exports led to a rapid development of
the city.[24] The export-led expansion also widened the gap between rich and poor, fostering
social unrest.[25] During the 1879–1883 War of the Pacific, Chilean troops occupied Lima,
looting public museums, libraries and educational institutions.[26] At the same time, angry
mobs attacked wealthy citizens and the Asian population; sacking their properties and
businesses.[27] The city underwent renewal and expansion from the 1890s to the 1920s.
During this period the urban layout was modified by the construction of broad avenues that
crisscrossed the city and connected it with neighboring towns.[28]

On 24 May 1940[29] an earthquake[30] destroyed most of the city, which at that time was
mostly built of adobe and quincha. In the 1940s Lima started a period of rapid growth spurred
by migration from the Andean region, as rural people sought opportunities for work and
education. The population, estimated at 600,000 in 1940, reached 1.9 million by 1960 and 4.8
million by 1980.[31] At the start of this period, the urban area was confined to a triangular
area bounded by the city's historic centre, Callao and Chorrillos; in the following decades
settlements spread to the north, beyond the Rímac River, to the east, along the Central
Highway and to the south.[32] The new migrants, at first confined to slums in downtown Lima,
led this expansion through large-scale land invasions, which evolved into shanty towns, known
as pueblos jóvenes.[33]

Geography

Lima as seen from the International Space Station

Lima at night from space

The urban area covers about 800 km2 (310 sq mi). It is located on mostly flat terrain in the
Peruvian coastal plain, within the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers. The city slopes
gently from the shores of the Pacific Ocean into valleys and mountain slopes located as high as
1,550 meters (5,090 ft) above sea level. Within the city are isolated hills that are not connected
to the surrounding hill chains, such as El Agustino, San Cosme, El Pino, La Milla, Muleria and
Pro hills. The San Cristobal hill in the Rímac District, which lies directly north of the downtown
area, is the local extreme of an Andean hill outgrowth.

Metro Lima covers 2,672.28 km2 (1,031.77 sq mi), of which 825.88 km2 (318.87 sq mi) (31%)
comprise the actual city and 1,846.40 km2 (712.90 sq mi) (69%) the city outskirts.[citation
needed] The urban area extends around 60 km (37 mi) from north to south and around 30 km
(19 mi) from west to east. The city center is located 15 km (9.3 mi) inland at the shore of the
Rímac River, a vital resource for the city, since it carries what will become drinking water for its
inhabitants and fuels the hydroelectric dams that provide electricity to the area. While no
official administrative definition for the city exists, it is usually considered to be composed of
the central 30 of 43 districts of Lima Province, corresponding to an urban area centered
around the historic Cercado de Lima district.[citation needed] The city is the core of the Lima
Metro Area, one of the ten largest metro areas in the Americas. Lima is the world's third
largest desert city, after Karachi, Pakistan and Cairo, Egypt.

Climate

Weather averages for the Jorge Chávez International Airport

Despite its location in the tropics and in a desert, Lima's proximity to the cool waters of the
Pacific Ocean leads to temperatures much lower than those expected for a tropical desert and
thus Lima can be classified as a desert climate (Köppen: BWh) with subtropical temperature
ranges.[34] Temperatures rarely fall below 12 °C (54 °F) or rise above 29 °C (84 °F).[35] Two
distinct seasons can be identified: summer, from December through April; and winter from
June through October. May and November are generally transition months, with a more
dramatic warm-to-cool weather transition.

Daily temperatures oscillate between lows of 18 °C (64 °F) to 22 °C (72 °F) and highs of 24 °C
(75 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F). Frequent coastal fogs on many mornings and high clouds in some
afternoons and evenings can be present, namely, between the months of May and October.
Summer sunsets are colorful, labeled by locals as "cielo de brujas" (Spanish for "sky of
witches"), since the sky commonly turns shades of orange, pink and red around 7 pm. Winter
weather is dramatically different. Grey skies, breezy conditions, higher humidity and cooler
temperatures prevail. Long (2-weeks or more) stretches of dark overcast skies are not
uncommon. Persistent morning drizzle occurs occasionally from June through September,
coating the streets with a thin layer of water that generally dries up by early afternoon. Winter
temperatures vary little between day and night. They range from lows of 14 °C (57 °F) to 16 °C
(61 °F) and highs of 16 °C (61 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F), rarely exceeding 20 °C (68 °F) except in the
easternmost districts.[36]

Relative humidity is always very high, particularly in the mornings.[37] High humidity produces
brief morning fog in the early summer and a usually persistent low cloud deck during the
winter (generally developing in May and persisting into late November or even early
December). The predominantly onshore flow makes the Lima area one of the cloudiest among
the entire Peruvian coast. Lima has only 1284 hours of sunshine a year, 28.6 hours in July and
184 hours in April, which is exceptionally little for the latitude.[38] By comparison, London has
an average of 1653 hours of sunshine per year, and Moscow 1731 hours of sunshine per year.
Winter cloudiness prompts locals to seek for sunshine in Andean valleys located at elevations
generally above 500 meters above sea level.

While relative humidity is high, rainfall is very low due to strong atmospheric stability. The
severely low rainfall impacts on water supply in the city, which originates from wells and from
rivers that flow from the Andes.[39] Inland districts receive anywhere between 1 and 6 cm (2.4
in) of rainfall per year, which accumulates mainly during the winter months. Coastal districts
receive only 1 to 3 cm (1.2 in). As previously mentioned, winter precipitation occurs in the
form of persistent morning drizzle events. These are locally called 'garúa', 'llovizna' or
'camanchacas'. Summer rain, on the other hand, is infrequent and occurs in the form of
isolated light and brief showers. These generally occur during afternoons and evenings when
leftovers from Andean storms arrive from the east. The lack of heavy rainfall arises from high
atmospheric stability caused, in turn, by the combination of cool waters from semi-permanent
coastal upwelling and the presence of the cold Humboldt Current and warm air aloft
associated with the South Pacific anticyclone.

Lima's climate (like that of most of coastal Peru) gets severely disrupted in El Niño events.
Coastal waters usually average around 17–19 °C (63–66 °F), but get much warmer (as in 1998
when the water reached 26 °C (79 °F)). Air temperatures rise accordingly.

Climate data for Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport) 1961–1990, extremes 1960–present

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Dec Year

Record high °C (°F) 32.7

(90.9) 32.5

(90.5) 33.4

(92.1) 31.6
(88.9) 30.3

(86.5) 30.0

(86.0) 28.3

(82.9) 29.0

(84.2) 28.0

(82.4) 25.2

(77.4) 29.0

(84.2) 30.4

(86.7) 33.4

(92.1)

Average high °C (°F) 26.1

(79.0) 26.8

(80.2) 26.3

(79.3) 24.5

(76.1) 22.0

(71.6) 20.1

(68.2) 19.1

(66.4) 18.8

(65.8) 19.1

(66.4) 20.3

(68.5) 22.1

(71.8) 24.4

(75.9) 22.5

(72.5)

Daily mean °C (°F) 22.1

(71.8) 22.7

(72.9) 22.2
(72.0) 20.6

(69.1) 18.8

(65.8) 17.5

(63.5) 16.7

(62.1) 16.2

(61.2) 16.4

(61.5) 17.3

(63.1) 18.7

(65.7) 20.7

(69.3) 19.2

(66.6)

Average low °C (°F) 19.4

(66.9) 19.8

(67.6) 19.5

(67.1) 17.9

(64.2) 16.4

(61.5) 15.6

(60.1) 15.2

(59.4) 14.9

(58.8) 14.9

(58.8) 15.5

(59.9) 16.6

(61.9) 18.2

(64.8) 17.2

(63.0)

Record low °C (°F) 12.0

(53.6) 15.0
(59.0) 11.0

(51.8) 10.0

(50.0) 8.0

(46.4) 10.0

(50.0) 8.9

(48.0) 10.0

(50.0) 12.5

(54.5) 11.0

(51.8) 11.1

(52.0) 13.9

(57.0) 8.0

(46.4)

Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.8

(0.03) 0.4

(0.02) 0.4

(0.02) 0.1

(0.00) 0.3

(0.01) 0.7

(0.03) 1.0

(0.04) 1.5

(0.06) 0.7

(0.03) 0.2

(0.01) 0.1

(0.00) 0.2

(0.01) 6.4

(0.25)

Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.3 1.1 2.3 3.0
4.1 3.1 1.2 0.4 0.5 18.2
Average relative humidity (%) 81.6 82.1 82.7 85.0 85.1 85.1 84.8 84.8
85.5 83.5 82.1 81.5 82.8

Mean monthly sunshine hours 179.1 169.0 139.2 184.0 116.4 50.6 28.6 32.3
37.3 65.3 89.0 139.2 1,230

Source #1: Deutscher Wetterdienst,[40] Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[41]

Source #2: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (sunshine and humidity)[38]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Lima

People of Lima.

With a municipal population of 8,852,000 and 9,752,000 for the metropolitan area and a
population density of 3,008.8 inhabitants per square kilometre (7,793/sq mi) as of 2007.[42]
Lima ranks as the 30th most populous 'agglomeration' in the world, as of 2014, and the second
biggest city in South America in terms of population within city limits, after São Paulo.[43] Its
population features a complex mix of racial and ethnic groups. Mestizos of mixed Amerindian
and European (mostly Spanish and Italians) ancestry are the largest ethnic group. European
Peruvians (White people) are the second largest group. Many are of Spanish, Italian or German
descent; many others are of French, British, or Croatian descent.[44][45] The minorities in
Lima include Amerindians (mostly Aymara and Quechua) and Afro-Peruvians, whose African
ancestors were initially brought to the region as slaves. Jews of European descent and Middle
Easterners are there. Asians, especially of Chinese (Cantonese) and Japanese descent, came
mostly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Lima has, by far, the largest ethnic Chinese
community in Latin America.[46]

Children at an elementary school in Santiago de Surco.

Pueblos jóvenes on the outskirts of Lima in 1997. Many of them are today consolidated.

The first settlement in what would become Lima was made up of 117 housing blocks. In 1562,
another district was built across the Rímac River and in 1610, the first stone bridge was built.
Lima then had a population of around 26,000; blacks made up around 40% and whites made
up around 38%.[47] By 1748, the white population totaled 16,000–18,000.[48] In 1861, the
number of inhabitants surpassed 100,000 and by 1927, had doubled.[citation needed]
During the early 20th century, thousands of immigrants came to the city, including people of
European descent. They organized social clubs and built their own schools. Examples are The
American-Peruvian school, the Alianza Francesa de Lima, the Lycée Franco-Péruvien and the
hospital Maison de Sante; Markham College, the British-Peruvian school in Monterrico,
Antonio Raymondi District Italian School, the Pestalozzi Swiss School and also, several German-
Peruvian schools.

Chinese and a lesser number of Japanese came to Lima and established themselves in the
Barrios Altos neighborhood near downtown Lima. Lima residents refer to their Chinatown as
Calle Capon and the city's ubiquitous Chifa restaurants – small, sit-down, usually Chinese-run
restaurants serving the Peruvian spin on Chinese cuisine – can be found by the dozens in this
enclave.

In 2014, the National Institute for Statistics and Information (Instituto Nacional de Estadistica e
Informatica) reported that the population in Lima's 49 districts was 9,752,000 people,
including the Constitutional Province of Callao. The city and (metropolitan area) represents
around 29% of the national population. Of the city's population 48.7% are men and 51.3% are
women. The 49 districts in Metropolitan Lima are divided into 5 areas: Cono Norte (North
Lima), Lima Este (East Lima), Constitutional Province of Callao, Lima Centro (Central Lima) and
Lima Sur (South Lima). The largest areas are Lima Norte with 2,475,432 people and Lima Este
with 2,619,814 people, including the largest single district San Juan de Lurigancho, which hosts
1 million people.[49]

Lima is considered a "young" city. According to INEI, by mid 2014 the age distribution in Lima
was: 24.3% between 0 and 14, 27.2% between 15 and 29, 22.5% between 30 and 44, 15.4%
between 45 and 59 and 10.6% above 60.[49]

Migration to Lima from the rest of Peru is substantial. In 2013, 3,480,000 people reported
arriving from other regions. This represents almost 36% of the entire population of
Metropolitan Lima. The three regions that supply most of the migrants are Junin, Ancash and
Ayacucho. By contrast only 390,000 emigrated from Lima to other regions.[49]

The annual population growth rate is 1.57%. Some of the 43 metropolitan districts are
considerably more populous than others. For example, San Juan de Lurigancho, San Martin de
Porres, Ate, Comas, Villa El Salvador and Villa Maria del Triunfo host more than 400,000, while
San Luis, San Isidro, Magdalena del Mar, Lince and Barranco have less than 60,000
residents.[49]
A 2005 household survey study shows a socio-economic distribution for households in Lima. It
used a monthly family income of 6,000 soles (around US$1,840) or more for socioeconomic
level A; between 2,000 soles (US$612) and 6,000 soles (US$1,840) for level B; from 840 soles
(US$257) to 2,000 soles (US$612) for level C; from 420 soles (US$128) to 1200 soles (US$368)
for level D; and up to 840 soles (US$257) for level E. In Lima, 18% were in level E; 32.3% in level
D; 31.7% in level C; 14.6% in level B; and 3.4% in level A. In this sense, 82% of the population
lives in households that earn less than 2000 soles (or US$612) monthly. Other salient
differences between socioeconomic levels include levels of higher education, car ownership
and home size.[50]

In Metropolitan Lima in 2013, the percentage of the population living in households in poverty
was 12.8%. The level of poverty is measured by households that are unable to access a basic
food and other household goods and services, such as clothing, housing, education,
transportation and health. The level of poverty has decreased from 2011 (15.6%) and 2012
(14.5%). Lima Sur is the area in Lima with the highest proportion of poverty (17.7%), followed
by Lima Este (14.5%), Lima Norte (14.1%) and Lima Centro (6.2%). In addition 0.2% of the
population lives in extreme poverty, meaning that they are unable to access a basic food
basket.[49]

Overview of the Pacific Ocean.

Overview of Costa Verde and the Pacific Ocean, Miraflores district.

Economy

The Lima Stock Exchange building.

Lima is the country's industrial and financial center and one of Latin America's most important
financial centers,[51] home to many national companies and hotels. It accounts for more than
two-thirds of Peru's industrial production[52] and most of its tertiary sector.

The Metropolitan area, with around 7,000 factories,[53] is the main location of industry.
Products include textiles, clothing and food. Chemicals, fish, leather and oil derivatives are
manufactured and processed.[53] The financial district is in San Isidro, while much of the
industrial activity takes place in the west of the city, extending to the airport in Callao. Lima
has the largest export industry in South America and is a regional center for the cargo industry.
Torre Banco de la Nación, San Borja district.

Industrialization began in the 1930s and by 1950, through import substitution policies,
manufacturing made up 14% of GNP. In the late 1950s, up to 70% of consumer goods were
manufactured in factories located in Lima.[54]

The Callao seaport is one of the main fishing and commerce ports in South America, covering
over 47 hectares (120 acres) and shipping 20.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2007.[55] The main
export goods are commodities: oil, steel, silver, zinc, cotton, sugar and coffee.

As of 2003, Lima generated 53% of GDP.[56] Most foreign companies in Peru settled in Lima.

In 2007, the Peruvian economy grew 9%, the largest growth rate in South America.[57] The
Lima Stock Exchange rose 185.24% in 2006[58] and in 2007 by another 168.3%,[59] making it
then one of the fastest growing stock exchanges in the world. In 2006, the Lima Stock
Exchange was the world's most profitable.[60]

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2008 and the Latin America, the Caribbean and
the European Union Summit were held there.

Lima is the headquarters for banks such as Banco de Crédito del Perú, Scotiabank Perú,
Interbank, Bank of the Nation, Banco Continental, MiBanco, Banco Interamericano de
Finanzas, Banco Financiero, Banco de Comercio and CrediScotia. It is a regional headquarters
for Standard Chartered. Insurance companies based in Lima include Rimac Seguros, Mapfre
Peru, Interseguro, Pacifico, Protecta and La Positiva.[61]

Government

Government Palace of Perú

National

Lima is the capital city of the Republic of Peru and Lima province. As such, it is home to the
three branches of the Government of Peru.
The executive branch is headquartered in the Government Palace, located in the Plaza Mayor.
All ministries are located in the city.

The legislative branch is headquartered in the Legislative Palace and is home to the Congress
of the Republic of Peru.

The Judicial branch is headquartered in the Palace of Justice and is home to the Supreme Court
of Peru. The Palace of Justice in Lima is seat of the Supreme Court of Justice the highest judicial
court in Peru with jurisdiction over the entire territory of Peru. Lima is seat of two of the 28-
second highest or Superior Courts of Justice. The first and oldest Superior Court in Lima is the
Superior Court of Justice, belonging to the Judicial District and. Due to the judicial organization
of Peru, the highest concentration of courts is located in Lima despite the fact that its judicial
district has jurisdiction over only 35 of the 43 districts.[62] The Superior Court of the Cono
Norte is the second Superior Court located in Lima and is part of the Judicial District of North
Lima. This judicial district has jurisdiction over the remaining eight districts, all located in
northern Lima.[63]

Lima City Hall building at night

Local

Main article: Metropolitan Municipality of Lima

The city is roughly equivalent to the Province of Lima, which is subdivided into 43 districts. The
Metropolitan Municipality has authority over the entire city, while each district has its own
local government. Unlike the rest of the country, the Metropolitan Municipality, although a
provincial municipality, acts as and has functions similar to a regional government, as it does
not belong to any of the 25 regions of Peru. Each of the 43 districts has their own distrital
municipality that is in charge of its own district and coordinate with the metropolitan
municipality.

Palace of Justice, Lima

Political system

Unlike the rest of the country, the Metropolitan Municipality has functions of regional
government and is not part of any administrative region, according to Article 65. 27867 of the
Law of Regional Governments enacted on 16 November 2002, 87 The previous political
organization remains in the sense that a Governor is the political authority for the department
and the city. The functions of this authority are mostly police and military. The same city
administration covers the local municipal authority.

International organizations

Lima is home to the headquarters of the Andean Community of Nations that is a customs
union comprising the South American countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Along
with other regional and international organizations.

Cityscape

Lima's main square, c. 1843

Lima's architecture offers a mix of styles. Examples of early colonial architecture include the
Monastery of San Francisco, the Cathedral and the Torre Tagle Palace. These constructions are
generally influenced by Spanish Baroque,[64] Spanish Neoclassical[65] and Spanish Colonial
styles.[66] After independence, preferences gradually shifted toward neoclassical and Art
Nouveau styles. Many of these works were influenced by French architectural styles.[67] Many
government buildings and major cultural institutions were constructed in this period. During
the 1960s, the brutalist style began appearing in Lima due to the military government of Juan
Velasco Alvarado.[68] Examples of this architecture include the Museum of the Nation and the
Ministry of Defense. The early 21st century added glass skyscrapers, particularly around the
financial district.[69]

The largest parks are near the downtown area, including the Park of the Reserve, Park of the
Exposition,[70] Campo de Marte and University Park. The Park of the Reserve is home to the
largest fountain complex in the world known as the Magical Circuit of Water.[71] Many large
parks lie outside the city center, including Reducto Park, Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge, El
Golf (San Isidro), Parque de las Leyendas (Lima Zoo), El Malecon de Miraflores and the Golf Los
Incas.[72]

The street grid is laid out with a system of plazas that are similar to roundabouts or junctions.
In addition to this practical purpose, plazas serve as principal green spaces and contain
monuments, statues and water fountains.[73]