# Department of Tumbes

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Department of Peru

Department in Peru

Tumbes Department Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary Flag Coat of arms Location of Tumbes within Peru Coordinates: 3°53′S 80°35′W / 3.88°S 80.59°W / -3.88; -80.59 Country Peru Capital Tumbes Provinces List Contralmirante Villar Tumbes Zarumilla Government • Type Regional Government • Governor Avelina del Rosario Palacios de De Lama (2023-2026) Area • Total 4,045.86 km2 (1,562.12 sq mi) Elevation (Capital) 7 m (23 ft) Highest elevation 134 m (440 ft) Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft) Population (2017) • Total 224,863 • Density 55.5785/km2 (143.948/sq mi) Demonym tumbesino/a UBIGEO 24 Dialing code 072 ISO 3166 code PE-TUM Principal resources Petroleum, tobacco, bananas and fishing. Poverty rate 46.8% Percentage of Peru's GDP 0.49% Website www.regiontumbes.gob.pe

Punta Sal

**Tumbes** (Spanish pronunciation: [\[ˈtumbes\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Spanish)) is a [department of Peru](/source/Regions_of_Peru). It is located in the country's northwestern coast, bordering [Ecuador](/source/Ecuador). Due to its location near the [Equator](/source/Equator), it has a warm climate, with beaches that are considered among the finest in Peru.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Despite its small area, the region contains a wide variety of [ecosystems](/source/Ecosystem). It is the smallest department in Peru and its third least populous department after [Moquegua](/source/Department_of_Moquegua) and [Madre de Dios](/source/Department_of_Madre_de_Dios), but it is also its third most densely populated department, after [La Libertad](/source/Department_of_La_Libertad) and [Lambayeque](/source/Department_of_Lambayeque). It is administered by a [regional government](/source/Regional_Government_of_Tumbes). Its capital is the city of [Tumbes](/source/Tumbes%2C_Peru).

## Etymology

The department's name originates from either *Tumpis*, a group of [native](/source/Indigenous_peoples) peoples from the area, the word *tumbos*, a species of [Passiflora](/source/Passiflora) that used to abound in the area, or the name of the Tumba [cacique](/source/Cacique), whose son founded and populated the area.

## History

Tumbes cathedral.

Tumbes was a populated region well before the [Inca Empire](/source/Inca_Empire). The first settlers were [fishers](/source/Fisherman) and [hunters](/source/Hunter). Most recent cultures that lived there have left evidence of the refinement in their ceramics, and *huacas* or ruins that still stand today.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Tumbes was integrated into the [Inca Empire](/source/Inca_Empire) during the reign of [Sapa Inca](/source/Sapa_Inca) [Pachacuti](/source/Pachacuti). He introduced a new way of organizing the empire, but the task of integration continued during [Tupac Inca Yupanqui](/source/Tupac_Inca_Yupanqui)'s and [Huayna Capac](/source/Huayna_Capac)'s reigns.[1]: 123 He made it a key departure point for his campaign to conquer the Cañaris.

The adventure of the [Spanish](/source/Spain) *Conquistadores* had its beginning in Tumbes: at [Puerto Pizarro](/source/Puerto_Pizarro) [Francisco Pizarro](/source/Francisco_Pizarro) and his men landed in search of gold. The conquerors set off to the rest of the empire, founding cities and overpowering their people.[1]: 123

On January 12, 1871, what was then the district of Tumbes was elevated to the Province of Tumbes. This province was renamed as the Littoral Province of Tumbes from 1901 onwards.

During colonial times, Tumbes was no more than a crossing point where [soldiers](/source/Soldier) and adventurers stopped momentarily to restock themselves, and continue traveling. Tumbes, however, gained permanent importance after Peru's independence; with [Ecuador](/source/Ecuador)'s long-standing territorial claims over the [Loreto Region](/source/Loreto_Region) of Peru, Tumbes's closeness to the border exposed it as a resistance point in some episodes of the [Ecuadorian–Peruvian War](/source/Ecuadorian%E2%80%93Peruvian_War).

Following the events of the war, the province was upgraded into a department of Peru in 1942.

As part of the [decentralization process in Peru](/source/Decentralization_process_in_Peru), a [referendum](/source/Referendum) was held on October 30, 2005, to decide whether the region would merge with the regions of [Piura](/source/Piura_Region) and [Lambayeque](/source/Lambayeque_Region) to create the new Northern Region ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Región Norte*). However, voters in the region voted against the merger.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Geography

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The Tumbes Region is bordered by the [Ecuadorian](/source/Ecuador) provinces of [El Oro](/source/El_Oro_Province) and [Loja](/source/Loja_Province) on the east; Peru's [Piura Region](/source/Piura_Region) on the south; and by the [Pacific Ocean](/source/Pacific_Ocean) on the north and west.

Morphologically, four zones can be defined in the region: the [delta](/source/River_delta) of the [Tumbes](/source/Tumbes_River) and [Zarumilla](/source/Zarumilla_River) rivers; an alluvial plain north of the Tumbes River, with dry, low-depth ravines; ancient terraces that have been strongly eroded in the Máncora area; and the Amotape mountain range in the east and south, ending at El Barco Mountain. The delta of the Tumbes river is shallow, and when the tide is low, little sandy keys show up, which get covered by [mangrove](/source/Mangrove) vegetation. Despite its small area— it is the second-smallest region in Peru— Tumbes has a great variety of [ecosystems](/source/Ecosystem): mangroves, [Tumbes–Piura dry forests](/source/Tumbes%E2%80%93Piura_dry_forests), the only coastal tropical forests in Peru, and a rich and warm sea. Around 50% of the region's territory is covered by three protected natural areas: the [Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary](/source/Manglares_de_Tumbes_National_Sanctuary) (which is part of the [Gulf of Guayaquil–Tumbes mangroves](/source/Gulf_of_Guayaquil%E2%80%93Tumbes_mangroves)), the [Cerros de Amotape National Park](/source/Cerros_de_Amotape_National_Park) and the [Tumbes Reserved Zone](/source/Tumbes_Reserved_Zone).

## Politics

### Subdivisions

Map of provinces

The region is divided into three [provinces](/source/Provinces_of_Peru) ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *provincias*, singular: *provincia*), which are composed of twelve [districts](/source/Districts_of_Peru) (*distritos*, singular: *distrito*).

The provinces, with their capitals in parentheses, are:

- [Contralmirante Villar](/source/Contralmirante_Villar_Province) ([Zorritos](/source/Zorritos))

- [Tumbes](/source/Tumbes_Province) ([Tumbes](/source/Tumbes%2C_Peru))

- [Zarumilla](/source/Zarumilla_Province) ([Zarumilla](/source/Zarumilla))

## Demographics

Basically composed of a large [mestizo](/source/Mestizo) population rooted in a mixture between the pre-Incan [Tumpis](/source/Tumpis) and [Tallanes](/source/Tallanes) tribes, [Spanish](/source/Spanish_people), [creoles](/source/Creole_peoples), the [African](/source/Native_ethnic_groups_of_Africa) peoples, including [mulatos](/source/Mulatos) or [zambos](/source/Zambos), and a small Chinese community of mostly [Cantonese](/source/Cantonese_people) ancestry.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Population

According to the [1993 Census](/source/Peru_1993_Census), the Tumbes Region has a population of 155,521 inhabitants, 53% of which (82,426) are male and 47% (73,095) are female.

As of 2005[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Department_of_Tumbes&action=edit), the [Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática](/source/Instituto_Nacional_de_Estad%C3%ADstica_e_Inform%C3%A1tica) estimates the region's population to be 215,634.

### Languages

The majority of the region's residents (98.3%) speak [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language) as their native tongue; other languages spoken are [Quechua](/source/Quechua_language) (0.4%), foreign languages (0.1%), [Aymara](/source/Aymara_language) (60 speakers, 0.0%), and other [indigenous](/source/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas) languages (0.1%).

### Immigration

Immigrants from other regions make up 29.4% of the population; 0.2% of residents were born in a foreign country. The largest immigrant groups are from the regions of [Piura](/source/Piura_Region) (16.9% of the total population), [Lambayeque](/source/Lambayeque_Region) (3.7%), and the [Lima Province](/source/Lima_Province)/[Lima Region](/source/Lima_Region) (2.8%).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Age

The population age distribution is 49.4% under the age of 20, 10.7% from 20 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 9.7% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who are 65 years of age or older.

## Education

The [literacy](/source/Literacy) rate in the region is 90.4%.

[Secondary education](/source/Secondary_education) has been completed by 31.8% of the population and 4.5% also have graduated from non-university higher education, while 2.3% have complete university studies. 45.9% only have attended [primary education](/source/Primary_education) and 5.9% have not had any education.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Culture

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

### Landmarks

The fact that Tumbes lies so close to the [Equator](/source/Equator) has determined its landscape, which teems in plant life. The beaches of Tumbes and its warm sea are ideal for [surfing](/source/Surfing) and scuba diving. Its pure white sands, sun and warm weather all year long, and a sea ideal for water sports, make the beach of Punta Sal one of the finest on the Peruvian coast. North of the city of Tumbes lies [Puerto Pizarro](/source/Puerto_Pizarro), the gateway to the National Mangroves Sanctuary. The mangroves have formed vast clumps of saltwater-tolerant coastal forests which have created a unique [ecosystem](/source/Ecosystem) linking the river and the sea. The mangroves are the breeding grounds for black [scallops](/source/Scallops), which are served up in Tumbes' most famous dish, the black scallop [ceviche](/source/Ceviche).

South of Tumbes lies Zorritos, the town which received its name from workers involved in drilling the first oilwell in the area, back in 1863. Not far from Zorritos lies the Bocapán beach, where visitors can swim in Hervideros, natural [hot springs](/source/Hot_spring) bubbling with [iodized salts](/source/Iodized_salt).

### Gastronomy

The typical dishes of the *Tumbesino* cuisine are based on seafood— [ceviche](/source/Ceviche) of black scallops, [crab](/source/Crab), or [shrimps](/source/Shrimp), or *cebiche mixto*— and [Tumbiresas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tumbiresas&action=edit&redlink=1) covered by yucca and banana balls broth with *dominicos*, meat, red [peppers](/source/Chile_pepper), eggs, [olives](/source/Olive), [raisins](/source/Raisin), [flour](/source/Flour), coriander and other [herbs](/source/Herb).

Other specialties include the shrimp omelette, *chupe de cangrejos*, and crabmeat omelette.

A typical beverage in the region is the *chinguirito*, which is obtained by combining *pipa* (the milk of a soft [coconut](/source/Coconut)) with the famous grape brandy called [pisco](/source/Pisco).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Prescott_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Prescott_1-1) Prescott, W.H., 2011, The History of the Conquest of Peru, Digireads.com Publishing, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781420941142](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781420941142)

## External links

- (in Spanish) [Portal del Gobierno Regional de Tumbes](http://www.regiontumbes.gob.pe) – Tumbes Regional Government official portal

- [Peru Information by Regions: Tumbes](https://web.archive.org/web/20050306175253/http://www.peru.com/peruinfo/ingles/info_dptos/tumbes/tumbes.htm)

- [The Tumbesian Region, climate and endemism](https://web.archive.org/web/20090827230750/http://chaparri.org/en/the-tumbesian-region.php)

- [Endemic Birds of the Tumbesian Region](https://web.archive.org/web/20161021184946/http://chaparri.org/en/endemic-birds.php)

v t e Department capitals of Peru Chachapoyas (Amazonas) Huaraz (Ancash) Abancay (Apurímac) Arequipa (Arequipa) Ayacucho (Ayacucho) Cajamarca (Cajamarca) Callao (Callao) Cusco (Cusco) Huancavelica (Huancavelica) Huánuco (Huánuco) Ica (Ica) Huancayo (Junín) Trujillo (La Libertad) Chiclayo (Lambayeque) Lima Huacho (Lima) Iquitos (Loreto) Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios) Moquegua (Moquegua) Cerro de Pasco (Pasco) Piura (Piura) Puno (Puno) Moyobamba (San Martín) Tacna (Tacna) Tumbes (Tumbes) Pucallpa (Ucayali)

v t e Regions of Peru Amazonas Áncash Apurímac Arequipa Ayacucho Cajamarca Callao Cusco Huancavelica Huánuco Ica Junín La Libertad Lambayeque Lima Metropolitan Lima Loreto Madre de Dios Moquegua Pasco Piura Puno San Martín Tacna Tumbes Ucayali Italics indicate provinces under a special regime. The Constitutional Province of Callao does not belong to any region.

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States France BnF data Spain Israel Other IdRef Yale LUX

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