Lambayeque is a region in northwestern Peru, known for its rich Chimú and Moche historical past. The region's name originates from the ancient pre-Inca civilization of the lambayeques. The city of Chiclayo is the region's capital and largest city (as in Junín Region, the homonym city is not the state capital).
As part of the new decentralization process in Peru, this region is planned to become part of the Northern Region (Región Norte).
The territory of the Lambayeque Region is made up by large plains irrigated by rivers from the Andes, in most of the area farming takes place due to the lack of water. However the valleys that are found in this area generate half of the sugar cane that is produced in Peru. In addition Lambayeque and Piura provide most of the rice crops consumed in Peru. This agriculture output is possible by a reservoir called "Proyecto Olmos" which holds an annual amount of 2,050 millions of cubic meters of water.
In a smaller scale in the last centuries, the Olmos Carob Tree Forest held goat herds that were fed with the food of this tree. This gave rise to the leather, cordobanes and soap industry.
There are two small islands off the Pacific coast of the Lambayeque Region: Lobos de Afuera, and Lobos de Tierra; there was a dispute with the Piura Region over ownership of the latter island.
The region is bordered by the Piura Region on the north, the Cajamarca Region on the southeast, the La Libertad Region on the south and the Pacific Ocean on the west. |
