Lima (), also called Metropolitan Lima (), is a province of the department of Lima, Peru. Located in its central coast, it operates under a quasi-autonomous special regime, and is thus not under the jurisdiction of the department's regional government. Its capital is Lima, which is also the nation's capital.
Despite its small area, this province is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Peruvian economy. It concentrates almost one-third of the country's population and 50% of Peru's GDP in 2012.
History The province was created in 1821, as Peru's territory was divided into departments, provinces, districts and parishes. The province was part of the department of Lima, which was formed by the territories of present-day Lima, Callao and Ica regions, and the provinces of Casma, Huarmey and Santa, which later would be part of the La Costa Department.
The department was further subdivided as time passed but the province of Lima kept being part of it. Due to the massive migration from other areas of the country, the need to separate the province from the rest of the department was forecast by experts.
In 2002, the new regionalization law passed by President Alejandro Toledo made the province a quasi-autonomous entity, as it was not under the jurisdiction of the newly created Regional Government of Lima.
Politics The province of Lima is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, equal in status to a regional government, which also administers Lima District.
List of mayors
Since 2023, the incumbent mayor is Rafael López Aliaga (2023–2026).
Subdivisions The province is divided into 43 districts. Each of them is headed by a mayor, although the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima (Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima), led by the mayor of Lima, also exercises its authority in these districts. These districts are grouped together into four sectors: Central Lima, North Lima, East Lima, and South Lima.
All the districts of Lima province are fused together in a continuous urban area, with the exception of the beach resort of Ancón and Santa Rosa in the north and Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo, Santa Maria del Mar and Pucusana in the south.
Geography Boundaries North: province of Huaral Northeast: province of Canta East: province of Huarochirí South: province of Cañete West: province of Callao and the Pacific Ocean.
Climate From April to December, Lima is often covered in coastal fog and mist, while in January to late March, the weather is generally sunny.Lima Travel Information from Lonely Planet Travel Guides and Travel Information. Retrieved August 2009.
Culture Tourism Lima has various tourist destinations and activities, including pre-Inca period pyramids, museums and modern shopping malls. There are many restaurants, some of which specialize in fresh seafood, bars and nightclubs. There are many beaches for sunbathing, swimming and fishing.
See also Department of Lima Provinces of Peru
Notes
References
External links Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima Metropolitan Lima Municipal Council official website