Piura

Last updated

Piura
San Miguel de Piura
Piura Plaza de Armas.jpg
Edificio Ingenieria.jpg
Estadio-miguel-grau-piura-entrada-occidente.jpg
Plaza de Armas de Piura.jpg
Edificis del jiron Tacna de Piura.jpg
MINISTRO NIETO VIAJO A PIURA PARA SUPERVISAR LA RESPUESTA DEL SECTOR DEFENSA Y LAS FFAA ANTE LA EMERGENCIA (33008722853).jpg
Top:Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral, Second:Piura University, Piura Miguel Grau Stadium, Third:Piura Almas Square, A street for Hotel Tacna, Bottom:Piura River and Barrio Norte area's panoramic view (all item of left to right)
Bandera de Piura.svg
Escudo ciudad de Piura.svg
Nickname(s): 
La Primera Ciudad
(The First City)
La Ciudad del Eterno Calor
(The City of The Eternal Heat)
Peru location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Piura
Location in Peru
Coordinates: 5°12′S80°38′W / 5.200°S 80.633°W / -5.200; -80.633
Country Peru
Region Piura
Province Piura
Founded1532
Government
  AlcaldeJuan José Días Dios
(2019-2022)
Area
  Total621.2 km2 (239.8 sq mi)
Elevation
55 m (180 ft)
Population
 (2017)
  Total484,475
  Estimate 
(2015) [1]
436,440
  Density780/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zone UTC/GMT-5
Area code 73
Website munipiura.gob.pe

Piura is a city in northwestern Peru located in the Sechura Desert on the Piura River. It is the capital of the Piura Region [2] and the Piura Province. Its population was 484,475 as of 2017.

Contents

It was here that Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro founded the third Spanish city in South America and first in Peru, San Miguel de Piura, in July [3] :27 or August [4] 1532. Piura declared its independence from Spain on 4 January 1821. [5]

History

Like most of northern Peru, the territory of Piura has been inhabited by their autochthonous group of natives called tallanes and yungas. These groups lived without an organization or single leader to rule until the Muchik culture eventually took control, and the mixture of these evolved into the Vicús culture. Centuries later, Piura came under the rule of Tupac Inca Yupanqui for at least 40 years before the Spanish arrived.

Francisco Pizarro came to the area and established it as the third Spanish city in South America, and Spain's first city in Peru. [6] With the arrival of the Spanish in 1532, the current mestizo and creole cultures of Piura were born. This mestizo culture includes influences from Spanish Extremadura and Andalucia; African influence, owing to the arrival of slaves from Madagascar (Malgache slaves); Chinese coolies who migrated from Canton to work the rice fields and replace the slaves; and also Roma Gypsies who came as pirates looking for pearls, or incognito as Spanish horsemen.

The Spanish named the city from the Quechuan word pirhua, meaning "abundance". Nowadays, Piura is known as the "Ciudad del eterno calor" meaning "The city of eternal heat" because it is hot all year round.

Geography

Climate

Piura Department has a desert and semi-desert climate on the coast and the western slopes of the Andes, whereas on the eastern slopes the climate is subtropical. Precipitation is sparse except during El Niño events, when rainfall is abundant and water flows through normally dry watercourses, causing flooding and large-scale land movements.

Climate data for Piura (FAP Captain Guillermo Concha Iberico International Airport) 1961–1990, extremes 1932–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)37.9
(100.2)
38.4
(101.1)
38.2
(100.8)
39.9
(103.8)
36.1
(97.0)
35.0
(95.0)
33.2
(91.8)
33.0
(91.4)
34.1
(93.4)
34.0
(93.2)
37.0
(98.6)
36.6
(97.9)
39.9
(103.8)
Average high °C (°F)33.4
(92.1)
34.2
(93.6)
34.3
(93.7)
33.2
(91.8)
30.8
(87.4)
28.9
(84.0)
27.9
(82.2)
28.3
(82.9)
29.0
(84.2)
29.6
(85.3)
30.4
(86.7)
32.0
(89.6)
31.0
(87.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)26.8
(80.2)
27.8
(82.0)
27.8
(82.0)
26.6
(79.9)
24.5
(76.1)
22.9
(73.2)
21.8
(71.2)
21.9
(71.4)
22.3
(72.1)
22.9
(73.2)
23.6
(74.5)
25.2
(77.4)
24.5
(76.1)
Average low °C (°F)20.3
(68.5)
21.4
(70.5)
21.3
(70.3)
19.9
(67.8)
18.3
(64.9)
16.8
(62.2)
15.8
(60.4)
15.6
(60.1)
15.6
(60.1)
16.2
(61.2)
16.9
(62.4)
18.4
(65.1)
18.0
(64.4)
Record low °C (°F)10.0
(50.0)
14.3
(57.7)
16.0
(60.8)
12.2
(54.0)
10.0
(50.0)
10.0
(50.0)
10.0
(50.0)
10.0
(50.0)
10.5
(50.9)
8.4
(47.1)
11.1
(52.0)
9.8
(49.6)
8.4
(47.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)16.9
(0.67)
19.0
(0.75)
32.4
(1.28)
24.4
(0.96)
15.1
(0.59)
5.0
(0.20)
0.5
(0.02)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.1
(0.04)
0.8
(0.03)
1.2
(0.05)
116.4
(4.58)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)1.82.33.72.60.40.50.00.00.10.20.40.712.8
Average relative humidity (%)51555155596666656460585659
Source 1: NOAA, [7] Meteo Climat (record highs and lows) [8]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (mean temperatures 1961–1990, precipitation days 1970–2003 and humidity 1955–1969) [9]

Hydrography

The hydrography of Piura Department is determined mainly by the amount of rainfall originating in the Pacific Ocean. This rainfall is itself determined by the meeting of two ocean currents on the southern coast of the department, around the bay of Sechura: the cold Humboldt current at 13-19 °C, and the warm El Niño at 21-27 °C. These conditions lead to fluctuations in offshore sea temperatures, which are 18-23 °C in winter and spring, and 23-27 °C in summer and sometimes in autumn.

The mean annual humidity is 66%. The mean atmospheric pressure is 1008.5 hPa, while winds are mainly from the north at an average speed of 3 m/s. Annual rainfall varies between 10 and 200 mm at altitudes of 100–500 m; between 200 and 800 mm at altitudes of 500–1500 m; and averages 1,550 mm at altitudes above 1500 m.

Most of the region is arid, with rainfall concentrated in the high Andean areas, while on the wide plains the main water sources are seasonal rivers flowing from the north: the Chira and the Piura. The southern half of the plain consists of the Sechura Desert, which supports herbaceous vegetation.

The main rivers are the Piura, the Huancabamba and the Chira. The reservoir of Poechos has been created within the course of the Chira. It has a capacity of 1,000,000,000 cubic metres and irrigates large portions of the coastal region. The river Quiroz, a tributary of the Piura, supplies the huge artificial lake of San Lorenzo. On the Huancabamba, in the mountains, there is a hydroelectric power station supplying energy to the region.

Tourism

One of the best-known tourist attractions in Piura is La Esmeralda beach, known as Colan beach for it is located near the town of Colan. It is a very long beach with warm waters. Local people like to go there during holidays.

There are also great spots for surfers, like Playa Cangrejos, Mancora Beach and Cabo Blanco. Cabo Blanco was made famous by visitor Ernest Hemingway in 1956, where he supervised the filming of The Old Man and the Sea . [10]

Transportation

Piura is served by the Cap. FAP Guillermo Concha Iberico International Airport.

The Tren de la Costa is planned.[ citation needed ]

Culture and folklore

Piura is host to a stunning mestizo culture (one of the oldest in South America, for Piura is the third Spanish city founded on that continent) most famous for gastronomical dishes like Seco de chabelo, algarrobina-based drinks, many types of seafood and fish, like ceviche and Natilla Sweets. Popular crafts include Chulucana pottery, and Catacaos is famous for its hats and its silversmithing. The small town of Simbila, is very popular for its handcrafts and pottery. The tondero and cumanana are the traditional music of mestizo Piura and northern parts of Lambayeque. There are also several famous Peruvian Waltz that came from these regions (northern Peruvians have their own style).

Universities

Branches of:

Churches

Notable people

Sister cities

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Peru</span>

Peru is a country on the central western coast of South America facing the Pacific Ocean. It lies wholly in the Southern Hemisphere, its northernmost extreme reaching to 1.8 minutes of latitude or about 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) south of the equator. Peru shares land borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, with its longest land border shared with Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Pizarro</span> 16th-century Spanish conquistador who conquered Peru

Francisco Pizarro, Marquess of the Atabillos was a Spanish conquistador, best known for his expeditions that led to the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pisco, Peru</span> City in Ica, Peru

Pisco is a city located in the Department of Ica of Peru, the capital of the Pisco Province. The city is around 9 metres above sea level. Pisco was founded in 1640, close to the indigenous emplacement of the same name. Pisco originally prospered because of its nearby vineyards and became noted for its grape brandy or pisco which was exported from its port. Pisco has an estimated population of 104,656.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Lambayeque</span> Departments of Peru

Lambayeque is a department and region in northwestern Peru known for its rich Moche and Chimú historical past. The region's name originates from the ancient pre-Inca civilization of the Lambayeque. It is the second-smallest department in Peru after Tumbes, but it is also its most densely populated department and its eighth most populous department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Piura</span> Departments of Peru

Piura is a coastal department and region in northwestern Peru. The region's capital is Piura and its largest port cities, Paita and Talara, are also among the most important in Peru. The area is known for its tropical and dry beaches. It is the most populous department in Peru, its twelfth smallest department, and its fourth-most densely populated department, after Tumbes, La Libertad, and Lambayeque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Tumbes</span> Departments of Peru

Tumbes is a coastal department and region in northwestern Peru bordering Ecuador. Due to the region's location near the Equator it has a warm climate, with beaches that are considered among the finest in Peru. Despite its small area, the region contains a wide variety of ecosystems. It is the smallest department in Peru and its third least populous department after Moquegua and Madre de Dios, but it is also its third most densely populated department, after La Libertad and Lambayeque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumbes, Peru</span> Town in Tumbes, Peru

Tumbes is a city in northwestern Peru, on the banks of the Tumbes River. It is the capital of the Tumbes Region, as well as of Tumbes Province and Tumbes District. Located near the border with Ecuador, Tumbes has 111,595 inhabitants as of 2015. It is served by the Cap. FAP Pedro Canga Rodriguez Airport. It is located on the Gulf of Guayaquil along with Zorritos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jauja</span> Town and municipality in Junín, Peru

Jauja is a city and capital of Jauja Province in Peru. It is situated in the fertile Mantaro Valley, 45 kilometres (28 mi) to the northwest of Huancayo, at an altitude of 3,400 metres (11,200 ft). Its population in 2015 was 15,432.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sechura</span> Village in Piura, Peru

Sechura is a town in northwestern Peru, 50 km (31 mi) south of Piura. It is the capital of Sechura Province in the Piura Region. The city lends its name to the Sechura Desert, which extends south along most of coastal Peru. Crescent dunes lie south of the city, between the sea and the highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talara Province</span> Province in Piura Region, Peru

Talara is a province in the Piura Region, Peru. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Paita Province on the south, the Sullana Province on the east and the Tumbes Region's Contralmirante Villar Province on the north. Its capital is the major port city of Talara. It also contains the beach resort of Máncora. The province was created by the President Manuel A. Odría in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paita</span> City in Piura, Peru

Paita is a city in northwestern Peru. It is the capital of the Paita Province which is in the Piura Region. It is a leading seaport in the region. Paita is located 1,089 km northwest of the country's capital Lima, and 57 km northwest of the regional capital of Piura. Starting in 2014, the city has considered ideas for separating from the Piura Region, proclaiming itself as the "Miguel Grau Region".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayabaca Province</span> Province in Piura, Peru

Ayabaca or Ayavaca is one of the eight provinces of the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It borders Ecuador on the north and northeast, Huancabamba Province and Morropón Province on the south, and the Piura and Sullana provinces on the west. This province is located in the western Andes and its capital is the town of Ayabaca, which is the highest in the whole region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sullana</span> Place in Piura, Peru

Sullana is the capital of the Sullana Province, in the north-western coastal plains of Peru on the Chira valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talara</span> City in Piura, Peru

Talara is a city in the Talara Province of the Piura Region, in northwestern Peru. It is a port city on the Pacific Ocean with a population of 91,444 as of 2017. Its climate is hot and dry. Due to its oil reserves, and ability to produce aviation fuel, Talara hosted a United States air base during World War II. It was also one of two refueling stations for the Pacific Fleet. There were naval guns on the hills, and submarine nets in the harbor. The Ajax, Achilles and Exeter, three British destroyers, were refuelled there on their way around the Horn to catch the Graf Spee in Rio de la Plata. Talara is also home to a large fishing fleet. The city is served by the Cap. FAP Víctor Montes Arias Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tondero</span>

Tondero is a dance and guitar rhythm from Peru that developed in the country's northern coastal region (Piura–Lambayeque).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catacaoan languages</span> Extinct Peruvian language family

The Catacaoan languages are an extinct family of three languages spoken in the Piura Region of Peru. The three languages in the family are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumbes–Piura dry forests</span>

The Tumbes–Piura dry forests (NT0232) is an arid tropical ecoregion along the Pacific coasts of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. The ecoregion contains many endemic species of flora and birds adapted to the short wet season followed by a long dry season. Threats include extraction of wood for fuel or furniture, and capture of wild birds for sale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordillera Central páramo</span> Ecoregion in the Andes Mountains

The Cordillera Central páramo (NT1004) is an ecoregion containing páramo vegetation above the treeline in the Andes mountain range of northern Peru and southern Ecuador. Due to its isolation there are high levels of endemism. Despite many human settlements and some destruction of habitat by agriculture and mining, the ecoregion is relatively intact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piura River</span> River in Peru

The Piura River is a river in northern Peru. The river flows westward from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean and is susceptible to major flooding. Piura is the largest city along the river's course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piura mangroves</span> Ecoregion (WWF)

The Piura mangroves ecoregion covers a very small mangrove site on the Piura River Delta, on the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Peru. This small mangrove site is at the northern tip of the Sechura Desert. The climate is normally semi-arid, but cn be much wetter in El Nino years. The area is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance "Manglares de San Pedro de Vice", and is an important stopover for migratory birds.

References

  1. Perú: Población estimada al 30 de junio y tasa de crecimiento de las ciudades capitales, por departamento, 2011 y 2015. Perú: Estimaciones y proyecciones de población total por sexo de las principales ciudades, 2012-2015 (Report). Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática. March 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  2. "Departamento de Piura", travelsradiate.com, accessed 25 March 2011.
  3. Hemming, J., 1970, The Conquest of the Incas, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., ISBN   0151225605
  4. "Historia de Piura".
  5. Box, Ben (2004). The South American Handbook (80 ed.). Footprint Travel Guides. p. 1132. ISBN   978-1-903471-70-8.
  6. Andagoya, Pascual de. Narrative of the Proceedings of Pedrarias Davila. The Hakluyt Society. Retrieved 21 June 2019 via Wikisource.
  7. "Piura Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  8. "Station Capitan Fap" (in French). Météo Climat. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  9. "Klimatafel von Piura, Prov. Piura / Peru" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  10. "Cabo Blanco ist Hemingways Herbst – Hemingways Welt". 8 December 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  11. "Our Cities". sistercitiesokc.org. Sister Cities OKC, Inc. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  12. "Ayuntamiento". trujillociudad.com (in Spanish). Trujillo Ciudad. Retrieved 19 December 2021.