Cities of Peru
Sarvesh Garimella Map of Peru
Juliaca Lima, Peru
Capital City of Peru Cathedral of Lima
Largest city – population of 9 million
Overlooks Pacific Ocean
Home to 1/3 of country’s population Birth of Lima
Location of present Lima originally controlled by Incan Empire
City itself founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535
Originally called “La Ciudad de los Reyes” or City of the Kings
Was the capital of Spanish colonial Peru (Virreinato del Peru) Colonial Lima
Became a center of trade in South America and with Europe and Asia
Faced dangers from pirates and earthquakes City walls constructed around city between 1684 and 1687 Large earthquakes in 1687 and 1746 crippled city and interrupted trade
Peruvian War of Independence from 1809 to 1824 resulted in Lima as the capital of the Republic of Peru Lima in the Republic of Peru
Independent Peru faced economic troubles during its infancy until the 1850’s
Chile occupied Lima from 1879-1883 during the War of Pacific
Post-war Lima had great growth and expansion through the turn of the 20th Century
Most of Lima destroyed by an earthquake in 1940 but rebuilt and has continued to grow since Arequipa, Peru
Second most populous city Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa in Peru
Nicknamed “La Ciudad Blanca” or the White City because of white colored “sillar” buildings
Lies in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru Map of Peru
Juliaca Birth of Arequipa
Area of present city occupied by Aymara natives during pre-1400’s
Aymaras conquered by Incan Empire during 15th Century
City founded in 1540 by Spaniard Garci Manuel de Carbajal
Name means “land behind the mountains” Colonial Arequipa
Remained somewhat Spanish Coat of Arms isolated because location in Andes
Agriculture was the main economic activity, including wine and olive oil produciton
City destroyed by earthquake and volcanic eruptions in 1600 Republican Arequipa
Symbol of the revolution that led to independence
Became less isolated with construction of railway in 1870
Became the economic hub of southern Peru
Rocked by earthquakes in 1868, 1958, 1960, and 2001 Juliaca, Peru
Adjacent to Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America
Area originally occupied by Aymaras and conquered by Incas in the 1400’s
Founded in 1826 as part of the Republic of Peru, became city in 1908
Connected to rest of Peru in 1870 by rail
Economy based on cattle, sheep, and other livestock Map of Peru
Juliaca Cusco, Peru
Historic capital of the Incan Empire
Named “Historic Capital of Peru” by Peruvian Constitution Ancient Cusco
Killke occupied area from 900 to 1200 AD and constructed a walled complex, Sacsayhuaman, in 1100 AD
The Incas arrived in the 1200s, claimed Cusco as their capital
City divided into four quadrants, one for each quarter of the empire
Spanish explorers invaded city in 1533 Colonial Cusco
Francisco Pizarro arrives Cathedral of Santo Domingo after invasion and names city “Very noble and great city of Cusco”
Served as a center for colonization and helped spread Christianity
Economy was driven by trade, agriculture, and mining
Many churches and a cathedral constructed Republican Cuscuo
Cusco Persisted as a cultural and administrative center in south-eastern Peru
An earthquake in 1950 destroyed more than a third of the city
Currently biggest tourist destination in Peru Machu Picchu, Peru
“Lost city of the Incas”
Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
Discovered in 1911 by American Hiram Bingham Map of Peru
Juliaca Incan Machu Picchu
Built around 1450 but abandoned in 1572 due to Spanish invasion
Many theories of its use: Estate of Incan emperor Pachacuti Built to control economy of conquered lands Prison for the worst criminals Agricultural testing station Ceremonial city of the gods, crowing ceremonies Machu Picchu Discovered
Only 80 km from Cusco but undiscovered by Spaniards Therefore not destroyed or defaced like other Incan locations
Discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham of Yale University
Became increasingly popular as a tourist site
Closed due to flooding in January 2010 but reopened on February 28th The End