Huacho 7.01

Huacho is a city in Peru, capital of the Huaura Province and capital of the Lima Region. It is located 223 feet (67 metres) above sea level and 148 km north of the city of Lima. The city is located on the Pan-American Highway, and close to the Lomas de Lachay National Park so it has extensive vegetation and wildlife.GeographySettled on the bottom of a wide bay, its climate is wet and appealing. In the surrounding areas there are rice, cotton, sugarcane and different grain fields. This fact has allowed the rise of a rather important cotton industry, as well as cotton and oil factories. Within its natural landscape, its salt mines and its beaches (such as El Paraíso ) are of great interest. Huacho was one of the main trade centers of northern Lima.HistoryUnder the viceroy of Francisco de Toledo, who decided to group the ayllus of the Indians who were established in that area into reductions. The site chosen was that of "Gaucho Bay." Consequently, on 25 August 1571, the reduction was named San Bartolomé de Guachu.During the Viceroyalty of Peru, the city belonged to the province of Huara and was established as a trading and fishing port. In 1774 the Viceroy José Antonio de Mendoza granted Huacho the category of "pueblo" and with it, allowed it to build its main plaza.