# Lima District

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District of Lima, Peru

For the district in Paraguay, see [Lima, Paraguay](/source/Lima%2C_Paraguay). For the city's historic quarter, see [Cercado de Lima](/source/Cercado_de_Lima).

District in Lima, Peru

Lima District The Cathedral seen from the city's main square Flag Coat of arms Location of Lima in Peru Coordinates: 12°2′36″S 77°1′42″W / 12.04333°S 77.02833°W / -12.04333; -77.02833 Country Peru Department Lima Province Lima Founded 1823 Capital Lima Government • Mayor Renzo Reggiardo Area • Total 21.88 km2 (8.45 sq mi) Elevation 2.87 m (9.4 ft) Population (2023)[1] • Total 276,482 • Density 12,640/km2 (32,730/sq mi) Time zone UTC-5 (PET) UBIGEO 150101 Website munlima.gob.pe

**Lima** (Spanish pronunciation: [\[ˈli.ma\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Spanish)) is a [district of Lima](/source/List_of_districts_of_Lima), [Peru](/source/Peru). It is the oldest district of the province and as such, vestiges of the city's [Spanish period](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru) remain today in its [historic centre](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima), part of which was declared a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](/source/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site) in 1988 and contains the [foundational area](/source/Cercado_de_Lima) once surrounded by the [city's walls](/source/Walls_of_Lima).

## Etymology

Further information: [Lima § Etymology](/source/Lima#Etymology)

The name of the district comes from one of two sources: Either the Aymara language *lima-limaq* (meaning "yellow flower"), or the Spanish pronunciation of the [Quechua](/source/Quechuan_languages) word *rimaq* (meaning "talker", and actually written and pronounced *limaq* in the nearby [Quechua I](/source/Quechua_languages#Geographic_distribution) languages). It is worth nothing that the same Quechua word is also the source of the name given to the river that feeds the city, the [Rímac River](/source/R%C3%ADmac_River) (pronounced as in the politically dominant [Quechua II](/source/Quechua_languages#Geographic_distribution) languages, with an "r" instead of an "l"). Early maps of Peru show both names (*Lima* and *Ciudad de los Reyes*) displayed jointly.

## History

Main article: [History of Lima](/source/History_of_Lima)

1750 map of Lima and its [walls](/source/Walls_of_Lima).

The city of Lima was founded by [Francisco Pizarro](/source/Francisco_Pizarro) on January 18, 1535, and given the name **City of [Kings](/source/Biblical_Magi)**.[2][3] Nevertheless, its original name persisted with time.

Under the [Viceroyalty of Peru](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru), the authority of the [viceroy](/source/Viceroy) as a representative of the [Spanish monarchy](/source/Spanish_monarchy) was particularly important, since its appointment supposed an important ascent and the successful culmination of a race in the colonial administration. The entrances to [Lima](/source/Lima) of the new viceroys were specially lavish. For the occasion, the streets were paved with silver bars from the [gates of the city](/source/Gate_of_Lima) to the [Palace of the Viceroy](/source/Government_Palace%2C_Peru).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 1988, [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) declared the historic centre of Lima a [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site) for its originality and high concentration of historic monuments constructed during the viceregal era.[4][2] In 2023, it was expanded with two exclaves to include the [Quinta and Molino de Presa](/source/Quinta_and_Molino_de_Presa) and the [Ancient Reduction of Santiago Apostle of Cercado](/source/Barrios_Altos#Viceregal_era).[4]

## Politics

The district is the site of the city's [Municipal Palace](/source/Palacio_Municipal_de_Lima), which hosts the [Metropolitan Municipality of Lima](/source/Metropolitan_Municipality_of_Lima).

### List of mayors

Further information: [List of mayors of Lima](/source/List_of_mayors_of_Lima)

Since 2023, the incumbent mayor is [Rafael López Aliaga](/source/Rafael_L%C3%B3pez_Aliaga).

### Subdivisions

Detailed map featuring important avenues.

Lima is divided into a number of neighbourhoods and one [populated centres](/source/Populated_centres_of_Peru).

- **[Central Lima](/source/Cercado_de_Lima)** (known as the *Cercado de Lima* or as the *Damero de Pizarro*) is limited by [Alfonso Ugarte Avenue](/source/Avenida_Alfonso_Ugarte) to the west[5] and Huánuco street to the east. It is divided into West and East sides by the pedestrian [Union Street](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_de_la_Uni%C3%B3n), from which *cuadras* ([city blocks](/source/City_block)) are numbered beginning at 100 and changing the first numbers at the next block. The main thoroughfares for cars and [buses](/source/Bus) are [Tacna Avenue](/source/Avenida_Tacna) on the West side and [Abancay Ave.](/source/Avenida_Abancay) on the East. Both are separated from the Jirón de la Unión by 4 blocks. The [Main Square](/source/Plaza_Mayor%2C_Lima) is located on block 2 of the Jirón de la Unión, facing the [Government Palace](/source/Government_Palace_(Peru)) and the [Metropolitan Municipality of Lima](/source/Metropolitan_Municipality_of_Lima) ([City Hall](/source/Palacio_Municipal_de_Lima)).

- **[Barrios Altos](/source/Barrios_Altos)**, which contains the district's oldest structures, is located to the east of the aforementioned centre.[5] Two cemeteries, [El Ángel](/source/El_%C3%81ngel_Cemetery) and [Presbítero Maestro](/source/Cementerio_Presb%C3%ADtero_Mat%C3%ADas_Maestro), form the eastern border with [El Agustino](/source/El_Agustino). Parts of the long-demolished colonial city walls can be seen here. Abutting this to the southwest is the city's [Chinatown](/source/Chinatown%2C_Lima), dating back to the mid-1800s.

- **Monserrate** is located west of [Tacna Avenue](/source/Tacna_Avenue),[5] also contained by [Emancipación](/source/Avenida_Emancipaci%C3%B3n) and [Alfonso Ugarte](/source/Avenida_Alfonso_Ugarte) avenues.

- **[Santa Beatriz](/source/Santa_Beatriz)** is located to the south, which contains residential buildings and the *[Parque de la Reserva](/source/Park_of_the_Reserve)*. Santa Beatriz is locally famous for containing the buildings for the state TV network [TV Perú](/source/TV_Per%C3%BA), and the top two private [TV networks](/source/TV_networks), [América Televisión](/source/Am%C3%A9rica_Televisi%C3%B3n) (Channel 4) and [Panamericana Televisión](/source/Panamericana_Televisi%C3%B3n) (Channel 5). Its main thoroughfare is [Arequipa Avenue](/source/Avenida_Arequipa), a narrow boulevard lined with trees of all sizes. Santa Beatriz is also home to the city (and country)'s main [football](/source/Association_football) [stadium](/source/Stadium), the [National Stadium of Peru](/source/National_Stadium_of_Peru).

- The **Industrial Area**, an industrial belt extending into neighbouring Callao Region, is located towards the west, home to the main industries in both city and country. Most of the area is covered by large blocks containing large factories. This area includes the [University City of the National University of San Marcos](/source/University_City_of_the_National_University_of_San_Marcos).

Lima is the site of a lone [populated centre](/source/Populated_centres_of_Peru) that is coterminous with the district:[6]

Code Name Type Population (total) Housing (total) 0001 Lima Urban 268,352 (2017) 91,506 (2017)

At its northern and southern edges, there are clusters of [residential areas](/source/Residential_area), particularly in the southern zone bordering [Pueblo Libre](/source/Pueblo_Libre_District%2C_Lima), [San Miguel](/source/San_Miguel_District%2C_Lima) and Callao Region's [Bellavista District](/source/Bellavista_District).

### Twin cities

Further information: [Lima § Twin towns – sister cities](/source/Lima#Twin_towns_–_sister_cities)

As of 2025, Lima is [twinned](/source/Sister_city) with 24 cities in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

## Geography

The district has a total land [area](/source/Area) of 21.98 km2. Its administrative centre is located at 154 meters above [sea level](/source/Sea_level).

### Boundaries

- North: The [Rímac River](/source/R%C3%ADmac_River) marks the district's border with the [San Martín de Porres](/source/San_Mart%C3%ADn_de_Porres_District) and [Rímac](/source/R%C3%ADmac_District) districts.

- East: [San Juan de Lurigancho](/source/San_Juan_de_Lurigancho), [El Agustino](/source/El_Agustino) and [San Luis](/source/San_Luis_District%2C_Lima).

- South: [La Victoria](/source/La_Victoria_District%2C_Lima), [Lince](/source/Lince_District), [Jesús María](/source/Jes%C3%BAs_Mar%C3%ADa_District%2C_Lima), [Breña](/source/Bre%C3%B1a) and [Pueblo Libre](/source/Pueblo_Libre).

- West: [San Miguel District](/source/San_Miguel_District%2C_Lima); and the [Callao Region](/source/Callao_Region) districts of [Bellavista](/source/Bellavista_District), [Callao](/source/Callao_District) and [Carmen de la Legua Reynoso](/source/Carmen_de_la_Legua_Reynoso).

## Demographics

According to a 2005 estimate by the [INEI](/source/Instituto_Nacional_de_Estad%C3%ADstica_e_Inform%C3%A1tica), the district has 278,804 inhabitants and a population density of 15,736.9 persons/km2. In 1999, there were 75,595 households in the district.

The high point of Lima's religious calendar for the masses is a month of festivities in October dedicated to the [Lord of Miracles](/source/Lord_of_Miracles), during which take place several processions in the city.

## Culture

### Landmarks

Main article: [Historic Centre of Lima § List of sites](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima#List_of_sites)

The [Historic Centre of Lima](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Lima) is located within the district. The [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site) declared by [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) in 1988 is divided in three sites, of which two are in the Cercado and Barrios Altos parts of Lima, while one is located in [Rímac District](/source/R%C3%ADmac_District).

## Transport

The district is serviced by the [Lima and Callao Metro](/source/Lima_and_Callao_Metro), as well as the [Metropolitano bus system](/source/Metropolitano_(Lima)).

### Bus service

The [Metropolitano bus system](/source/Metropolitano_(Lima)) operates two separate lines that join at Central Station, located under the [Promenade of the Naval Heroes](/source/Paseo_de_los_H%C3%A9roes_Navales).

- Route A runs a circuit along [Avenida Emancipación](/source/Avenida_Emancipaci%C3%B3n) and [Jirón Lampa](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Lampa), with four stations ([Ramón Castilla](/source/Plaza_Ram%C3%B3n_Castilla), [Tacna](/source/Avenida_Tacna), [Jirón de la Unión](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_de_la_Uni%C3%B3n#Bus_service) and [Colmena](/source/Avenida_Nicol%C3%A1s_de_Pi%C3%A9rola)).

- Route B runs a circuit along [Alfonso Ugarte](/source/Avenida_Alfonso_Ugarte) and [Spain](/source/Avenida_Espa%C3%B1a_(Lima)) avenues, with three stations ([Dos de Mayo](/source/Plaza_Dos_de_Mayo), [Quilca](/source/Jir%C3%B3n_Quilca) and España).

- Route C, shared with [La Victoria](/source/La_Victoria_District%2C_Lima), travels through the entirety of [Paseo de la República Avenue](/source/Paseo_de_la_Rep%C3%BAblica_Avenue), with two stations (Estadio Nacional and México) located within the district's limits.

### Metro service

As of 2025, the [Lima and Callao Metro](/source/Lima_and_Callao_Metro) operates a single line (Line 1), with a second one under construction. It has two stations ([Grau](/source/Miguel_Grau_Avenue_(Lima)) and [Presbítero Maestro](/source/Cementerio_Presb%C3%ADtero_Mat%C3%ADas_Maestro)), with a third one ([28 de Julio](/source/Avenida_28_de_Julio)) under construction. Another line (Line 2), also in construction, is projected to have six stations (Tingo María, La Alborada, Elio, San Marcos, 28 de Julio, and Nicolás Ayllón) that meet at a Central Station, to be integrated with that of the Metropolitano.

## See also

- [Administrative divisions of Peru](/source/Administrative_divisions_of_Peru)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Sin_nombre-rHCU-1_1-0)** ["Estadística Poblacional"](https://www.minsa.gob.pe/reunis/data/poblacion_estimada.asp). *[Ministerio de Salud del Perú](/source/Ministry_of_Health_(Peru))*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABC_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABC_2-1) ["La inmortal flor de la canela"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040419115440/http://www.abc.es/especiales/index.asp?cid=7927). *[ABC](/source/ABC_(newspaper))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.abc.es/especiales/index.asp?cid=7927) on April 19, 2004.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Augustin, Reinhard (2017). [*El Damero de Pizarro: El trazo y la forja de Lima*](https://publicacioneslima.pe/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/munilibro-8.pdf) (PDF) (in Spanish). Lima: Municipality of Lima. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9972-726-13-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9972-726-13-2). Retrieved November 3, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WHC_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WHC_4-1) ["Historic Centre of Lima"](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/500/). *[World Heritage Convention](/source/World_Heritage_Convention)*. [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gonzalete_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gonzalete_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Gonzalete_5-2) [Torres, Gonzalo](/source/Gonzalo_Torres_(actor)) (August 9, 2015). ["Avenidas anchas, mentes estrechas"](https://elcomercio.pe/lima/avenidas-anchas-mentes-estrechas-gonzalo-torres-192108-noticia/). *[El Comercio](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Directorio Nacional de Centros Poblados. Censos Nacionales 2017: XII de Población, VII de Vivienda y III de Comunidades Indígenas*](https://www.inei.gob.pe/media/MenuRecursivo/publicaciones_digitales/Est/Lib1541/tomo4.pdf) (PDF) (in Spanish). Vol. 4. [Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática](/source/Instituto_Nacional_de_Estad%C3%ADstica_e_Inform%C3%A1tica). 2018. p. 13.

## External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Central Lima](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lima/Central_Lima#Q3031413)***.

- (in Spanish) [Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima](http://www.munlima.gob.pe) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/19990420214305/http://www.munlima.gob.pe/) 1999-04-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - Metropolitan Lima Municipal Council official website

- Geographic data related to [Lima District](https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/1944756) at [OpenStreetMap](/source/OpenStreetMap)

v t e Lima Metropolitan Area Culture Demographics Flag History Timeline Landmarks Mayors People Sport Transport Districts Cono Centro Barranco Breña Jesús María La Victoria Lima Lince Magdalena del Mar Miraflores Pueblo Libre Rímac San Borja San Isidro San Miguel Santiago de Surco Surquillo Cono Este Ate Chaclacayo Cieneguilla El Agustino La Molina Lurigancho-Chosica San Juan de Lurigancho San Luis Santa Anita Cono Norte Ancón Carabayllo Comas Independencia Los Olivos Puente Piedra San Martín de Porres Santa Rosa Cono Sur Chorrillos Lurín Pachacamac Pucusana Punta Hermosa Punta Negra San Bartolo San Juan de Miraflores Santa María del Mar Villa el Salvador Villa María del Triunfo Callao Bellavista Callao Carmen de la Legua Reynoso La Perla La Punta Mi Perú Ventanilla

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