Chiclayo(Spanish pronunciation:[tiklao]) is the capital city of theLambayeque regionin northernPeru. It is located 13 kilometers inland from the Pacific coast and 770 kilometers from the nation's capital,Lima. As of 2011, Chiclayo is thefourth most populouscity inPeruwith a population of 629,990 comprising 6 contiguous urban districts:Chiclayo, Jos Leonardo Ortiz, La Victoria, Pomalca, Reque and Pimentel; It is also the principal city of thefourth most populous metropolitan area of Peru.Founded by Spanish explorers as "Santa Mara de los Valles de Chiclayo" in the 16th century, it was declared a city on 15 April 1835 by presidentFelipe Santiago Salaverry. He named Chiclayo "the Heroic City" to recognize the courage of its citizens in the fight for independence, a title it still holds. Other nicknames for Chiclayo include "The Capital of Friendship" and the "Pearl of the North".Currently, Chiclayo is one of the most important urban areas ofPeru. It is now the country's fourth-largest city, afterLima,Arequipa, andTrujillo. The city has a population of 738,000,[2]while the metropolitan area has a population of 972,713 (2009 - World-Gazetteer.com).The city was founded near an importantprehistoricarchaeologicalsite, theNorthern Wari ruins, which constitute the remains of a city from the 7th- to 12th-centuryWari Empire.Contents[hide] 1Etymology 2Symbols 2.1Shield 2.1.1Description 3History 3.1Pre-Columbian cultures 3.1.1Mochica culture 3.1.2Lambayeque culture 3.2Colonial period 3.3Republican era 4Political-administrative organization 5Municipal Administration 5.1Administrative Division 5.2Metropolitan Area 6Geography 6.1Climate 7Transportation 7.1Air 7.2Land 8Population 9Education and Culture 9.1University education 10Tourist attractions of Lambayeque 11Famous people from Chiclayo 12See also 13Bibliography 14ReferencesEtymology[edit]Many different historical accounts tell of the naming ofChiclayo. Some attribute it to an indigenous man known as "chiclayoc" or "chiclayep" who transported plaster between the ancient cities ofZaa,LambayequeandMorrope.Another version claims that around the time that the city was founded, the area was home to a green-colored fruit calledchiclayeporchiclayopwhich in theMochicanlanguage means "green that hangs". In some towns in the highlands ofCajamarca, squashes are known aschiclayos, evidence that this fruit is the origin of the city's name.Another source indicates that the word is a translation from the extinctMoche languageand is derived from the wordCheqtawhich means "half" andyocwhich means "property of".Others say theMochicanlanguage had words similar to the name, such asChiclayaporChekliayok, which means "place where there are green branches".[3]Symbols[edit]Shield[edit]

Shield of the city.The coat of arms summarizes important features of the province, such as the one dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, represented in light blue background, which is a Catholic town, represented on the cross, but, also see other items related to the history, geography and landscape.[4]Description[edit] 'Tumi'the tumi is a ceremonial knife used by the Lambayeque culture, representsNaylamp. 'Sea'the sea was always very important for its marine resources and legends that are told of it. 'Huerequeque'is the typical bird of the region, is so called because in his song seems to say Huere-que-que-que.History[edit]Pre-Columbian cultures[edit]Mochica culture[edit]Main article:Moche (culture)The Moche civilization began between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, occupying a territory that spanned much of what is now the northern coast of Peru, encompassing what is the coastal area of the departments of Ancash, Lambayeque and La Libertad today. This civilization reached a broad knowledge of hydraulic engineering: They constructed canals where they made the most of the river water to irrigate their land. This allowed them to have agricultural surpluses and a strong economy for development. The culture was characterized by intensive use of copper in the manufacture of ornamental objects, tools and weapons.[3]During the Moche times,Pampa Grande, located not far from Chiclayo, was a major regional capital.The Mochicans are considered the producers of the best ceramic artifacts because of the elaborate designs of the pottery. These designs represent religious themes, humans, animals, and scenes of ceremonies and myths reflecting their perception of the world. They were famous for huaco-portraits preserved in museums around the country, highlighting amazing expressiveness, perfection, and realism.The latest findings establish that this civilization disappeared as a result of the disasters caused by El Nio.[3]Lambayeque culture[edit]Main article:Lambayeque cultureTheLambayeque cultureorSicanexisted between 700 and 1375 and occupied the territory of the current-daydepartment of Lambayeque. The area near the current-day city of Chiclayo was part of the Lambayeque civilization.This culture was formed towards the end of the Moche civilization assimilating much of their knowledge and cultural traditions.The Lambayeque culture's civilization was divided into three phases or stages: Early stage(700900) Intermediate stage(9001100) Late stage(11001350)Lambayeque or Sican civilization occupied the territory now belongs to the department of Lambayeque, began between the ages viii-xiv AD. and cultural influence by sharing it extended over almost the entire Peruvian coast during its peak between 900 and 1100 BC). This civilization was formed from the decay of the Moche civilization assimilating much of the knowledge and cultural traditions of these. The Lambayeque excelled in architecture, jewelry and navigation. Although they failed to the extent of the Moche, and political complexity, it is clear that in these arts were his favorite disciples. It is known that as a result of the disaster happened by the El Nio phenomenon had to do with the disappearance of this civilization.[5]The Lambayeques excelled in architecture, goldsmithing, and navigating.Colonial period[edit]

Parade of the MusesIn the early 16th century, Chiclayo was inhabited by two ethnic groups; the Cinto and Collique. The chieftains of these ethnic groups donated part of their land for the construction of a Franciscan convent. This cesion of land was approved by the royal decree of 17 September 1585. Thus, with the advocation of Saint Maria of Chiclayo and under the direction of Father Fray Antonio of the Concepcin, a church and a Franciscan covenant were erected at Chiclayo. At the time of construction of these Spanish-built edifices, the city of Chiclayo was founded.Chiclayo, unlike most other Peruvian colonial cities such asLima,Piura,Trujillo, orArequipa, was inhabited by a largely indigenous population rather than Spanish colonizers. On 15 April 1835, during the republican era, the urbanization of Chiclayo was elevated to the category of city by the then presidentFelipe Santiago Salaverry. That same day, Chiclayo received the title of "Heroic City". The next day theChiclayo Provinceis created of which Chiclayo becomes the capital.Republican era[edit]During thePeruvian War of IndependenceChiclayo was not indifferent to the patriot revolutionary cause, and supported it by supplying soldiers, weapons, horses, and other important resources to GeneralJos de San Martn's liberating army. All of this came to be under the supervision of the most progressive creole, Jos Leonardo Ortiz.Soon after independence Chiclayo was still a small village. Nevertheless, due to its strategic geographic location, in future decades it became a rail, communications, and automotive hub. In 1827, Chiclayo was elevated to the level of villa. The progress of Chiclayo is evident in the early republican era by the naming of Chiclayo as a "Heroic City" in recognition of the services rendered by the Chiclayan people in thePeruvian War of Independence.Today, Chiclayo is among the most important cities of Peru, with much commercial movement and with touches of great modern city, home to large supermarkets, banking chains, warehouses, hospitals, clinics, galleries, among other businesses that have become the Financial and Commercial Capital of Northern Peru, titles in addition to the City of Friendship and Pearl of Northern Peru, with a metropolitan area that includes several neighboring satellite cities about 30 thousand hectares around. Currently Chiclayo is shaping up between the country's major cities, is a commercial city and brings together the ingredients of a modern city,[6]Chiclayo is known as theCapital of friendshipand"Perla del Norte"of Per.[7]Political-administrative organization[edit]Chiclayo, capital of theprovince, is governed by the Provincial Municipality of Chiclayo which has jurisdiction throughout the province. There is restricted to the city authority. In this regard, the district municipalities of the metropolitan area also have jurisdiction in matters relating to their own districts.The city, as the regional capital, is the seat of theRegional Government of Lambayeque. It is also home to the different regional offices of the council of ministers of Peru comprising the Peruvian public administration.[8]