StraddlingbothbanksoftheRjoRjmacatthefootoftheCerroSanCristobal,thecapitalofPeruisaneclecticmixoftraditionalcolonialbuildings,soaringskyscrapersandPueblos(shantysettlementsthatblanketthedustyhillsoverlookingthecity).

　　Hometotwo-thirdsofPeru'sindustryandnearlyone-thirdofthecountry'stotalpopulation,pollutionandpovertyishighlypresentthiscityofsevenmillion.Afewmilessouthwestofthecitycenter,VillaElSalvadorshelters350,000people.

　　Inspiteofitstroubles,thecityboastsagreatmanyhistoricmonuments,museumsforeverypalate,alivelyculturalandartssceneandthecountry'sbestfood,drinkandnightlife.

　　MostofLima'ssightscanbefoundwithintheoldcity,declaredaWorldHeritageSitebyUNESCO.

　　AttractionsincludethePalacioTorreTagle,thecity'sbestsurvivingspecimenofsecularcolonialarchitecture;theMuseodeOrodelPeru,withitsprecolumbianmetals,weavingsandmummiesandtheMuseodeArte,withmorethan7,000exhibitsgivingaretrospectiveofPeruvianculturesandartfrom2,000yearsagotothepresentday.

　　Lima'smanymarketsoverflowwithhand-craftedjewelryofsilverandgold,Peruviantextilesandceramics,flowersandfreshproduce.

　　Forabreakfromthecity'sclamor,duckintoLima'sfinebaroquechurchesortakeastrollthroughitsmanyparksandgardens,someestablishedasearlyasthe17thcenturybyLima'sSpanisharistocracy.