Canta is a town in the

Lima Region The Department of Lima () is a department and region located in the central coast of Peru, the ''seat of the Regional Government'' is Huacho. Lima Province, which contains the city of Lima, the country's capital, is located west of the Departm ...

, in western

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

. The town is located on the

Chillón River The Chillón River is a river located in western Peru. Its waters are produced by the melting of ice in the glaciers of the Andes, and its mouth is located in the Pacific Ocean coast of the Callao Region. Its volume gets higher during the summer ...

and is the capital of the

Canta Province Canta Province is a province in the Lima Region of Peru, situated approximately to the northeast of the Peruvian capital, Lima Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of P ...

. With a population of 2,385 ( 2017 census), it is also the capital of

Canta District Canta District is one of seven districts of the province Canta in Peru. Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática The Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI) ("National Institute of Statistics and Informatics") is a s ...

. It is frequently visited by tourists from

Lima Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of ...

because of its quietness and the beauty of its natural landscapes. The town's altitude is 2,819 m above sea level.

Etymology

The word ''canta'' comes from the Cauqui language spoken by the ancient inhabitants and their meaning can be indicated with these two meanings: * ''canta'' = tie to catch vicunas * ''canta'' = hillside, decline

Location

The town is from Lima, about a three-hour bus ride, and is often visited by geography students from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. The small town of

Obrajillo Obrajillo is a village belonging to the municipality of Canta, a two hours drive from Lima, Peru. It is situated in beautiful landscape. The Chillón River cuts the settlement. The village is known for farming and selling ''truchas'' (trout ...

is nearby. Image:Nov 21 & 22 - 046.jpg, Aerial photo of Canta, Peru Image:Nov 21 & 22 - 093.jpg, Aerial photo of Canta, Peru

History

At some time in the 16th century, it was dominated by the Inca Pachacutec during his path to the north. The Spanish conquistadors found Canta in a prosperous locality. It was given like a parcel to don Nicolás de Ribera. During the campaign for the Independence from the Spanish crown, its people had given strong support to the cause of liberation. For that, in 1839 it was declared "heroic village".

References

External links

*
La Viuda myth
*

{{Authority control Populated places in the Lima Region