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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Civic Brief • South America

Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, located on the central coastal desert along the Pacific Ocean.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, located on the central coastal desert along the Pacific Ocean. It serves as the country’s political, cultural, financial, and commercial centre.

What it is

Lima is Peru’s capital and largest city, founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro as Ciudad de los Reyes. It lies on the central coast in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac, and Lurín rivers, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes foothills. The city is the main hub for government, commerce, finance, industry, and culture.

Key details

The city has a population of about 10 million, with the wider metropolitan area exceeding 11 million. It sits at an elevation of roughly 156 metres in a dry coastal desert climate. Lima was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru during the colonial period and was rebuilt after a major earthquake in 1746.

Why it matters to Canadians

Lima is Peru’s primary international gateway for diplomacy, trade, tourism, and study abroad. For Canadian readers, it represents a key Latin American capital for travel and business connections.

In short

  • Lima is Peru’s capital and largest city, founded in 1535.
  • It is the country’s main political, economic, and cultural centre.
  • The metropolitan area has over 11 million people, making it one of South America’s largest urban regions.
  • Lima is a key gateway for Canadians in trade, tourism, and diplomacy.
Canadian angle

Lima is relevant to Canadian readers as Peru’s main international gateway and a major Latin American capital for diplomacy, trade, tourism, and study abroad.

Quick questions

What is Lima known for?
Lima is known as Peru’s capital, largest city, and main centre for government, business, culture, and finance.
When was Lima founded?
Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro.
Where is Lima located?
It is on Peru’s central coast, near the Pacific Ocean, in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac, and Lurín rivers.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima
    Supports: Capital status, location, city role, founding date, and general overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/place/Lima
    Supports: Capital city, location near Callao and the Pacific, elevation, area, name origin, and population estimate.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/summary/Lima
    Supports: Founding by Francisco Pizarro, colonial history, earthquake of 1746, and role as economic and cultural centre.