La Libertad is a region in northwestern Peru, features a varied relief, starting from the coastline, passing though the highlands (Andes) of Otuzco, Julcan, and Santiago de Chuco, and ending in the upper jungle (The Amazon Rain Forest) at the border of the San Martin Region on the east. The coast enjoys beaches and fertile valleys that are very important to the national agricultural production.
Its capital is Trujillo, which is the nation's third-most important city. The region's main port is Salaverry, located in Trujillo, which is also one of Peru's largest ports, Trujillo is also known as the city of eternal spring because of its blessed climate and festive atmosphere. The area was settled by two important, ancient Peruvian civilizations, the Mochica and the Chimu. Among its fascinating archeological sites, there is Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas and ancient capital for the Chimu. UNESCO placed it on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1986.
You can see the remarkable Huacas (pre-Incan sacred places) built by the Mochicas like the Huaca of the Sun and of the Moon, which measure more than sixty-five feet. In addition, the El Brujo complex, decorated with inspiring figures of dancers and warriors. The city also has a splendid Colonial architecture where you will want to see the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Church of the Company of Jesus Christ, the monastery of El Carmen, and it's wooden-balconied colonial mansions are well-preserved and its people revel in their Spanish traditions of horsemanship, music and dance.
The Huanchaco beach resort is only fifteen minutes away from the city. It is famous for the caballitos de totora, which are lightweight boats made of totora reeds, which have been use to cut through the ocean since the time of the Mochicas and Chimus. In Huanchaco, you can enjoy delicious seafood or simply relax in the glory of a day at the beach.
The climate of the North Coast is mild, surfer's beaches and the excellent sport fishing that brought men like Ernest Hemingway to Peru about fifty years ago. |