Huancayo
From Perupedia
| Huancayo | |||
| The Plaza Constitución in Huancayo | |||
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| Motto: La Ciudad Incontrastable (The Uncontrastable City) |
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  Huancayo |
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| Coordinates: 12°4′S 75°13′W / 12.067°S 75.217°W | |||
| Country | Peru | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Junin | ||
| Province | Huancayo | ||
| District | Huancayo | ||
| Founded | 1 june 1572 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Democracy | ||
| - Mayor | Freddy Arana Velarde | ||
| Elevation | 3,259 m (10,692.26 ft) | ||
| Population | |||
| - Total | 323,054. | ||
| Time zone | PET (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | PET (UTC-5) | ||
| Area code(s) | 64 | ||
| Website | www.munihuancayo.gob.pe | ||
Huancayo (Wankayu in Quechua) is the capital of the Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. It is located in Huancayo Province, of which it is also capital. Situated near the Mantaro Valley at an altitude of 3,271 meters, it has a population of 323,054. Huancayo is the cultural and commercial center of the whole central Peruvian Andes area.
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Overview
The area was originally inhabited by the Wankas. At around 500 CE, they were incorporated into the Wari empire. Despite efforts to defend its independence, the Wankas were eventually subdued by the Inca leader Pachacutec in 1460 and the region was incorporated into the Inca empire. It subsequently became a notable stopping point along the Inca Camino Real.
After the Spanish colonization (1534), Huancayo was overshadowed by Jauja, 18 km to the north, which the conquistador Francisco Pizarro established as a provisional capital of Peru until Lima took over that role.
In 1570, the viceroy Francisco de Toledo established the site as the center of his encomienda Guancayo. The town was officially established on June 1 1572 with the title of Santísima Trinidad de Huancayo. During the war for independence, Huancayo was liberated on 20 November 1820. Construction on the cathedral commenced in 1831.
In 1969, two earthquakes affect the Huancayo city, destroyed hundreds of homes, damage in bridges, railways and between 800-1,000 people are killed. Landslides killed or missing and 300 additional people in suburban districts and near Huaytapallana mountains.
Today, in addition to its importance as a center of commerce, Huancayo is known for the crafts and the many festivals of the surrounding towns. Having rapidly expanded in recent decades, it has few remaining colonial buildings; the cityscape is dominated by modern constructions. The city is served by the Francisco Carle Airport located in Jauja but travelers usually use the Limean Airport.
Transport
Huancayo was a break-of-gauge from 914 mm (3 ft) gauge to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) gauge; for the 147 km extension to Huancavelica. In 2009, this line was being standardised. [1]
Education
List of universities located in Huancayo.
- Universidad Peruana Los Andes (UPLA)
- Universidad Nacional del Centro del Peru (UNCP)
- Universidad Continental de Ciencias e Ingenieria (UCCI)
Notable People
- Víctor Alberto Gil Mallma - (1930 - 1975) Musician
- Rodolfo Cerrón Palomino - Linguist
- Josué Sánchez - (1945 - ) Painter
- Juan Parra del Riego Poet
References
External links
- (Spanish) Official Municipal website
- (Spanish) Archdiocese of Huancayo
- (Spanish) Community of Huancayo
- (Spanish) Unofficial Huancayo Site
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Coordinates: 12°04′S 75°13′W / 12.067°S 75.217°Wda:Huancayo de:Huancayo es:Huancayo fr:Huancayo it:Huancayo la:Huancaium lt:Huankajas nl:Huancayo ja:ワンカヨ pl:Huancayo pt:Huancayo ro:Huancayo qu:Wankayu sv:Huancayo uk:Уанкайо vo:Huancayo war:Huancayo
