Called Ciudad de los Reyes, City of the Kings, by the Spanish conquerors, Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18,1535 in the Rimac Valley. Lima is now the capital of the Republic of Peru, and a great metropolis with nearly 8 million residents.

The Costa region of Peru, in which Lima is located, is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. Cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the country's oil fields are in this area. Beyond Lima, lies the Sacred Valley, the Inca ruins and, high in the Andes, the spectacular ancient city of Machu Picchu.

Bird and marine life is abundant along Peru's desert coast, with sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingoes, Peruvian pelicans, and Inca terns all native to the region. This priceless wildlife is protected in a system of national parks and reserves.

Lima's climate can be divided into two seasons: wet and dry . The coast and western Andean slopes are dry most of the year, with summer occurring between December and April. During the rest of the year, the garua coastal fog moves in, and the sun is rarely seen.

The main religion is Roman Catholicism. The indigenous people, while outwardly Catholic, often infuse Catholicism with their traditional beliefs. Annual festivals and fiestas are a blend of Catholic, Inca, Spanish, and early agricultural ceremonies. They are colorful and lively, always popular with local residents and visitors alike.

Among the indigenous people in Peru, about 70 languages are spoken, but in Lima, Spanish and English predominate.

Lima offers many opportunities to explore buildings dating back to colonial times, and museums cataloging the complete history of Peruvian archeology, art and pre-Inca structures. Yet, it is a modern and cosmopolitan city, with luxury hotels, casinos, resorts, and, a wide variety of attractions.

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