Trujillo is the second most important city in Peru, it has a population of approximately one million inhabitants. Its economy is mainly based on the production of sugar cane, artichokes and asparagus that are cultivated and processed for export.
The city was founded by Diego de Almagro in December 1534, very close to Chan Chan the capital of the Chimú Kingdom. Its design and planning was done according to Spanish custom, the shape of a checkerboard, with the plaza as the central point.
The first buildings were of Renaissance influence, however, the earthquake of February 14, 1619, destroyed much of the city, so the architecture was renovated in the Baroque style.
After the Independence, the architecture changed again and the city began to establish itself in neo-classical style, with large windows made of wrought and cast iron.
Only 5 kilometers south of Trujillo are located the Huacas del Sol y la Luna, which corresponds to what was the old Capital of Moche Culture. The another historical symbol of Trujillo is Chan Chan, “The Largest Mud City in the World”, capital of the Chimú Kingdom. It occupies an area of 14 square kilometers and only one of the 9 palaces is openned for tourism.
The tours are closed visiting Huanchaco fishing village, where you can still see the fragile “Caballitos de Totora” that are used by local fishermen, descendants and heirs of this ecological fishing tradition.
DEPARTMENT OF LA LIBERTAD
GENERAL INFORMATION
LOCATION
It is located in the north coast of Peru.Its territory covers coast, highlands and jungle.
AREA
25 495.42 Km2.
CAPITAL
Trujillo,”Capital of spring time and marinera dance”.
POPULATION
About 1 500 000
POLITICAL DIVISION
The Department has 12 provinces: Ascope, Bolívar, Chepén, Gran Chimú, Julcán, Otusco, Pacasmayo, Pataz, Sanchez Carrión, Santiago de Chuco, Trujillo and Virú.
TRUJILLO : BASIC INFORMATION
TEMPERATURE
20.00 C. yearly
POPULATION
950 000 inhabitants
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
The main products are: sugar cane 45 % and asparagus 48 % of the national production.
DISTRICTS
The province of Trujillo has 11 districts: El Porvenir, Florencia de Mora, Huanchaco, La Esperanza, Laredo, Moche, Poroto, Salaverry, Simbal, Trujillo and Víctor Larco Herrera.
ACCESS
By Road: The Panamerican Highway and roads that links with inlands towns.
By Air: Daily flights from Carlos Martínez de Pinillos Airport.
HISTORIC EVENTS
– 1534; December, Trujillo is founded by Diego de Almagro on the orders of Francisco Pizarro.
– 1537; November 23, the town of Trujillo is ascended to the rank of city. On December 7, it is conceded its coat of arms.The royal orders were issued in Valladolib for the king Charles the Fifth.
– 1687; for order of the Viceroy Melchor de Navarra y Rocaful, the military wall of Trujillo it is built against the pirates,designed by the Italian Joseph Formento.
– 1820; December 29, the Marquis of Torre Tagle, Intendant of Trujillo, proclaimed the independence of the city.
– 1824; March, Simón Bolívar arrived to Trujillo and installed the legal seat of the Peruvian government.