Rímac (pronunciation: ) is a district of Lima, Peru. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, and was formally made into a district in 1920. Due to its age, vestiges of the city's Spanish era remain today in the district's Monumental Zone or the old quarter. The area has formed part of the Cultural heritage of Peru since 1972, and since 1988 has been part of the Historic Centre of Lima, a World Heritage Site.

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 word rimaq (meaning "talker", and actually written and pronounced limaq in the Quechua I languages). The same Quechua word is also the source of the name given to the river that feeds the city, the Rímac River (pronounced as in the politically dominant Quechua II languages, with an "r" instead of an "l"). Early maps of Peru show both names (Lima and Ciudad de los Reyes) displayed jointly.

It was known until the 19th century as San Lázaro, a neighbourhood of Lima District. Prior to that, it was called "the neighbourhood on the other side of the bridge" ().

History

thumb|left|1750 map of Lima and its [[Walls of Lima|walls.]]

The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, and given the name City of Kings. Nevertheless, its original name persisted with time.

The district was part of Lima District until its creation in 1920. Prior to that, it was a neighbourhood named after Saint Lazarus or after its location on the other side of the Puente de Piedra.

In 1988, UNESCO declared the historic centre of Lima a World Heritage Site for its originality and high concentration of historic monuments constructed during the viceregal era.

  • Caqueta
  • Alameda de los Descalzos
  • Cerro Palomares
  • Ciudad y Campo
  • El Bosque
  • El Manzano
  • Huascarán
  • Huerta Guinea
  • La Florida
  • La Huerta
  • Las Totoritas
  • Leoncio Prado
  • Perricholi
  • Rímac
  • Santa Candelaria
  • Santa Rosa
  • Ventura Rossi
  • Villacampa

Twin cities

As of 2025, Lima is twinned with 24 cities in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Geography

thumb|right|The [[Puente de Piedra crosses the river, connecting both districts.]]

The district has a total land area of 11.87&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. Its administrative centre is located at 154 meters above sea level.

Boundaries

  • North: Independencia District
  • East: San Juan de Lurigancho District
  • South: Lima District, to which it is connected by six bridges over the Rímac River
  • West: San Martín de Porres District

Landmarks

The Historic Centre of Lima is located within the district. The World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1988 is divided into three sites, of which two (one partially) are located in Rímac District. The Plaza de toros de Acho (a bull ring) and the Paseo de Aguas (a promendade) are located in the district.

Transport

The district is serviced by the Metropolitano bus system. A line of the Lima and Callao Metro has been planned since 2010.

See also

  • Administrative divisions of Peru

References

  • 1.40 gigapixel image of Lima