History of Lima History of Lima The history of Lima, the capital of Peru, began with its foundation by Francisco Pizarro on January 6, 1535. The city was established on the valley of the Rímac River in an area populated by the Ichma polity. It became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and site of a "Real Audiencia" in 1543. In the 17th century, the city prospered as the center of an extensive trade network despite damage from earthquakes and the threat of pirates. However, prosperity came to an end in the 18th century due to an economic downturn and the Bourbon
Lima Province divided into 43 districts. Each of them is headed by a mayor, although the Metropolitan Lima Municipal Council ("Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima"), led by the mayor of Lima, also exercises its authority in these districts. All the districts of Lima province are fused together in a continuous urban area, with the exception of the beach resorts of Ancon and Santa Rosa in the north and Pachacamac, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo, Santa Maria del Mar and Pucusana in the south. Lima Province is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima ("Municipalidad Metropolitana de Lima"), which also administers the city