Chiclayo

Since the city is located in a productive valley, there is strong agriculture, such as rice production, sugar cane and cotton. Until Peru's economic decline in 1976, the port of Pimentel served as Chiclayo's main export line; sugar refined in Pomalca passed through Chiclayo by train and was exported to various destinations along the Pacific Rim. However, with the socialization of agriculture, and subsequent demise of the Peruvian economy, Chiclayo ceased to export by sea. Also, most important, the two railroads had closed by 1975 because they could not compete with transport using paved roads.

Economic prosperity did not leave, however. With the construction of the Panamerican Highway in the 1920s, the city became a center for commerce, due to the fact that it has easy access to a mountain pass that allow access to the jungle, as well as being close to the sugar cooperatives. The downtown area also features a thriving marketplace where shoppers can purchase appliances and clothing as well as many medicines an herbal remedies, such as the famous “uña de gato” (Cat's Claw) in its raw fibrous bark form (suitable for brewing as a tea). The socializing scene greatly improved in the early 1990's with a private casino club and the impressive Paseo de la Musas Muse featuring elegant statues of traditional Greek Muses (music, poetry, etc.) in a grassy park-like setting.

Chiclayo is well known for its archaeological sites, such as Túcume, Batán Grande and Huaca Rajada. In 1987, in Huaca Rajada (more often referred to as Sipán), a Moche mausoleum was found. The most significant discovery was the tomb of the El Señor de Sipán, who archaeologists have concluded was a royal ruler from over 1600 years ago. His clothes were adorned with jewels, gold, and silver, these artifacts can be seen in the Tumba Real, in Lambayeque. The amount of treasure found in the tomb rivals that found in the tomb of King Tut, as noted by the National Geographic Magazine, in their feature article. Chiclayo is also recognized as for its natural medicine, and for having some of the best cuisine in Peru, especially Ceviche. Monsefú is a nearby town that provides Chiclayo with most of the handcrafts artifacts and fireworks that are for sale in the "Mercado Modelo". (This term translates to "Model Market." Many large towns have a "Modelo," because it was meant to be used as a modern model market inspired in european central markets)

It is served by the CAP. FAP. Jose A. Quiñones Gonzales International Airport

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Lord of Sipan, "King Tutankhamen of the Americas" by Antonio Gutierrez from "Geometry Step by Step from the Land of the Incas"

v • d • e Peruvian cities with a population of over 100,000 Arequipa | Ayacucho | Cajamarca | Chiclayo | Chimbote | Chincha Alta | Cusco | Huancayo | Huánuco | Ica | Iquitos | Juliaca | Lima | Piura | Pucallpa | Puno | Sullana | Tacna | Tarapoto | Trujillo

Coordinates: 6°45′46.66″S, 79°50′11.81″W