Lima is the capital of Peru. It is located in the central coast of the country, and it is the site of the main powers of the state. Besides, it is the financial and administrative centre.

It sits in the riverbanks of the Rímac River, at 154 metres above sea level, with the Andean Cordillera to the East.

It limits with the Ancash and Huánuco Regions to the North, Pasco and Junín to the East, Ica and Huancavelica to the South, and the Pacific Ocean to the West.

Population: 6732000 inhabitants.

Surface: 334796.86 square kilometres.

Provinces: 10: Barranca, Cajatambo, Canta, Cañete, Huaral, Huarochirí, Huaura, Lima, Oyón and Yauyos.

Districts: 47 in the Large Lima and 124 in the remaining 9 provinces
Minimum altitude: 3 metres above sea level (at Ancón).

Maximum altitude: 4278 metres above sea level (at Tanta).

Average altitude in the Large Lima: 133 metres above sea level

Date of its foundation as a department: The 4th of August of 1821

Language: The official language in Peru is Spanish. In some high areas of Lima, Quechua, the ancient language of the country is spoken.

Agricultural production: Cotton, corn, potato, barley, sweet potato, grapevine, fruit trees and vegetables on the coast; potato, corn, barley, wheat, bean, and others in the sierra.

Livestock production: Bovine, porcine, equine and goats in the coast; ovine, cameloids and goats in the sierra. It is the first department in the production of poultry (chickens turkeys and ducks).

Industrial production: The Large Lima is the most industrialised city of the country.

Gross national product: 80290 million soles (1996).

River basins: Pativilca, Chancay, Lurín, Fortaleza, Supe, Chillón, Huaura, Rímac and Cañete Chico.

Length of the road system: 4719 kilometres