# Canta

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For other uses, see [Canta (disambiguation)](/source/Canta_(disambiguation)).

Place in Lima, Peru

Canta View of the town of Canta Canta Location in Peru Coordinates: 11°28′1.2″S 76°37′26.4″W / 11.467000°S 76.624000°W / -11.467000; -76.624000 Country Peru Region Lima Province Canta District Canta Government • Mayor Arturo Paredes Salcedo (2019-2022) Elevation 2,819 m (9,249 ft) Population (2017) • Total 2,385 Demonym Canteño/a Time zone UTC−5 (PET)

**Canta** is a town in the [Lima Region](/source/Lima_Region), in western [Peru](/source/Peru). The town is located on the [Chillón River](/source/Chill%C3%B3n_River) and is the capital of the [Canta Province](/source/Canta_Province). With a population of 2,385 ([2017 census](/source/2017_Peru_Census)), it is also the capital of [Canta District](/source/Canta_District). It is frequently visited by tourists from [Lima](/source/Lima) because of its quietness and the beauty of its natural landscapes. The town's altitude is 2,819 m above sea level.

## Etymology

The word *canta* comes from the Cauqui language spoken by the ancient inhabitants and their meaning can be indicated with these two meanings:

- *canta* = tie to catch vicunas

- *canta* = hillside, decline[1]

## Geography

The town is 103 kilometres (64 mi) from Lima, about a three-hour bus ride, and is often visited by geography students from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. The small town of [Obrajillo](/source/Obrajillo) is nearby.

		- Aerial photo of Canta, Peru

		- Aerial photo of Canta, Peru

### Climate

Canta has a dry [subtropical highland climate](/source/Subtropical_highland_climate), characterized by the [Köppen climate classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification) as a [semi-arid climate](/source/Semi-arid_climate) (*BSk*).[2]

Canta experiences relatively stable temperatures throughout the year, with minor variations between months. The yearly average high temperature is 18.0°C (64.4°F), while the yearly average low temperature is 8.0°C (46.4°F).[3]

The total annual precipitation is 376.4 millimeters (14.82 inches). Canta receives the majority of its precipitation during the [wet season](/source/Wet_season), which typically spans from January to March. The months from May to September typically receive very little rainfall.[3]

Climate data for Canta (1991–2020) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 17.2 (63.0) 16.8 (62.2) 16.9 (62.4) 17.7 (63.9) 18.5 (65.3) 18.5 (65.3) 18.5 (65.3) 18.9 (66.0) 18.9 (66.0) 18.5 (65.3) 18.1 (64.6) 17.5 (63.5) 18.0 (64.4) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.1 (46.6) 8.2 (46.8) 8.3 (46.9) 8.3 (46.9) 7.9 (46.2) 7.6 (45.7) 7.5 (45.5) 7.9 (46.2) 8.1 (46.6) 8.2 (46.8) 8.0 (46.4) 8.3 (46.9) 8.0 (46.4) Average precipitation mm (inches) 71.1 (2.80) 93.4 (3.68) 96.8 (3.81) 30.3 (1.19) 2.2 (0.09) 0.5 (0.02) 0.0 (0.0) 0.8 (0.03) 3.7 (0.15) 11.3 (0.44) 18.3 (0.72) 48.0 (1.89) 376.4 (14.82) Source: NOAA[3]

## History

At some time in the 16th century, it was dominated by the Inca [Pachacutec](/source/Pachacuti) during his path to the north. The Spanish conquistadors found Canta in a prosperous locality. It was given like a parcel to don [Nicolás de Ribera](/source/Nicol%C3%A1s_de_Ribera). During the [War of Independence from the Spanish Crown](/source/Peruvian_War_of_Independence), the people of Canta gave strong support to the cause of liberation.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Homero Huamán (1998). *Canta. Potencial turístico*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Table 1 Overview of the Köppen-Geiger climate classes including the defining criteria"](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-023-02549-6/tables/1). *Nature: Scientific Data*. 23 October 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WMONormals_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WMONormals_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WMONormals_3-2) ["World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020 — Canta"](https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Peru/CSV/Canta_81502.csv). [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/source/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration). Retrieved 27 January 2024.

## External links

- (in Spanish) [La Viuda myth](http://www.carabayllo.net/temas/275-culturales/1064-mito-del-nevado-la-viuda) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230424040926/https://carabayllo.net/temas/275-culturales/1064-mito-del-nevado-la-viuda) 2023-04-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- (in Spanish) [Cantamarca, archaeological site](http://www.arqueologiadelperu.com.ar/canta.htm)

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Canta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canta) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canta?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.