Chiclayo
Chiclayo (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃiˈklaʝo]; Quechua: Chiklayu) is the principal city of the Lambayeque region in northern Peru. It is located 13 km (8.1 mi) inland from the Pacific coast and 770 km (480 mi) from the nation's capital, Lima.
Chiclayo
Santa María de los Valles de Chiclayo | |
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Clockwise from top left: Chiclayo Cathedral, also known as Santa María Catedral; statues of the Paseo Yortuque; Walk of the Muses; Basilica of San Antonio de Padua; and Main Park | |
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Flag Seal | |
| Nickname: City of Friendship | |
Chiclayo Location in Peru | |
| Coordinates: 6°45′46.66″S 79°50′11.81″W | |
| Country | Peru |
| Region | Lambayeque |
| Province | Chiclayo |
| District | Chiclayo |
| Settled | 18 April 1835 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Marco Gasco Arrobas (2019-2022) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 174.46 km2 (67.36 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Total | 552,508 |
| • Estimate (2015) | 600,440 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
| UBIGEO | 14000-14013 |
| Area code | 74 |
| Website | www.gobiernochiclayo.gob.pe |
Founded by Spanish explorers as "Santa María de los Valles de Chiclayo" in the 16th century, it was declared a city on 15 April 1835 by president Felipe Santiago Salaverry. He named Chiclayo "the Heroic City" to recognize the courage of its citizens in the fight for independence, a title it still holds. Other nicknames for Chiclayo include "The Capital of Friendship" and the "Pearl of the North".
Chiclayo is Peru's fourth-largest city, after Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo, with a population of 738,000 as of 2011. The Lambayeque region is the fourth most populous metropolitan area of Peru, with a population of 972,713 in 2009.
The city was founded near an important prehistoric archaeological site, the Northern Wari ruins, which constitute the remains of a city from the 7th to 12th century of the Wari Empire.