Lima is the Capital city of the Republic of Peru. It is situated in the center of the country, at the bank of the Pacific Ocean, composed of a vast and populous urban area known as Lima Metropolitana, surrounded by a coastal desert and extended over the valleys of the rivers Chillón, Rímac and Lurín. It is the most populated city in the country.
On the 18th of January of 1535, the Spanish foundation took place with the name of City of the Kings in the agricultural region known by natives as Limaq, name that was given later. It was the capital of the viceroyalty of Peru and most important and biggest city in South America during the Spanish regime. After independence it became capital of the Republic.
At present, it is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of the country. At international level, it occupies fifth place among the most populated cities in Latin America and is one of the 30 most populated cities in the world.
