Chimbote

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Chimbote


(detailed)	(detailed)

La Capital de la Pesca y el Acero
(Capital of Fishing and Steel)

Mayor

Estuardo Díaz Delgado

Population
- Total
- Density

400 000 (2004 estimate)
3 019/km²

Time zone

UTC-5

Height

4 m (13 ft)

Location

09°08′S 78°31′W

Anniversary

December 6

Website: www.chimboteonline.com

Chimbote [tʃim'βo.te] (help·info) is the largest city in the Ancash Region of Peru. It is also the capital of the Santa Province and the Chimbote District. The city is located on the coast in Chimbote Bay, south of Trujillo and 422 kilometers north of Lima.

Chimbote is the largest fishing port in Peru. Chimbote has more than 30 fish factories, and has some of the world's finest fish-packing equipment. During the 1970s El Niño, an earthquake, and overfishing drastically affected the fishing industry, and restrictions were added. However, more than 75 percent of Peru's fishing industry occurs in Chimbote. The Chimbote-Huallanca rail line, built in 1922, serves as a railway for coal and iron mines on the interior and a railway for the river valley by transporting rice, cotton, sugarcane, and bananas.

Peru's former president, Alejandro Toledo, grew up in Chimbote.

1 Etymology
2 Climate
3 Districts and Neighborhoods
4 Economy
5 Transportation
6 Airport
7 Tourism
8 Earth Disasters
9 Sister Cities
10 Newspapers
11 Schools and Universities
12 Social Works in Chimbote

[edit] Etymology

There are a few known versions of where the word "chimbote" started. One of them comes from 2 voices "CHIMBA" a transformed term that comes from the Quechua word "CHIMPAY" meaning "To wade across the river to reach the other side" and "BOTE" meaning a small boat with paddles.

The city is known for its ceviche, a popular Peruvian dish whose ingredients include white fish, octopus, seashell, squid, crab and red hot pepper.

Chimbote forms a conurbation with Nuevo Chimbote District to the south. Between these districts, the Humedales de Villa María, a beautiful swamp, is home to a local species of heron, along with many species of frogs and fish. The swamp is formed by the Lacramarca River.

[edit] Climate

The city of Chimbote shows a variety of temperatures. On average, the warmest month is February (a little over 80 degrees fahrenheit) and September is considered the average coolest month (around 55 degrees fahrenheit).

This fishing port gets little or no precipitation at all, but thick fog is very predominant around the months of May and November usually during the overnight hours. Rainfalls happenings usually occurs during the month of February.

[edit] Districts and Neighborhoods

Satellite image of Chimbote

The City of Chimbote being a District itself is comprised of 7 more Districts: District of Santa, District of Coishco, District of Samanco, District of Nepeña, District of Macate, District of Moro, District of Cáceres del Perú, District of Nuevo Chimbote.

Inner cities that surround this port are: El Barrio de Acero, Barrio Bolivar, El Progreso, Miraflores Alto and Miraflores Bajo just to name a very few of them.

[edit] Economy

Unfortunately, Chimbote has a shaky economy. It has always revolved around the fishing industry. Chimbote is not the port it once used to be. Continuous close season makes things worse. On the other hand, the Steel Industry doesn't help much in rebuilding an already eroded economy. Over the years job growth has remained at minimum levels, and there are no signs of creating new industries at this time. Conversely, real estate seems to be on the rise, but this "false" awakening is mostly related to a few trying to sell their properties in order to leave the city. The wealthy are also affected but not as much as the poor.

Paradoxically, it is its own hard working people that believe a great change will come one day. People who left Chimbote many years ago are now coming back, perhaps not to settle, but to invest in this fishing port. They are the new creators of jobs, and, while not in great masses, little by little help in rebuilding the economy of this once great fishing port.

[edit] Transportation

El Chimbador Bus Terminal is Chimbote's primary ground transportation facility. Opened more than 6 years ago, the Bus Terminal is located outside of the city. It has become a vital connection for the region's workers, travelers and visitors, serving near 6,000 passengers a day.

Currently there are 30 bus carriers offering services for national and international travel. For the convenience of bus travelers, ticket plazas, information booths and windows, waiting areas, 2 restrooms, 2 restaurants, ATM machines and other consumer services are located throughout the building. There is also an internet cafe that operates until midnight.

El Chimbador Bus Terminal is committed to the safety and security of its facilities and the people who use them.

A Chimbote-Huaraz railroad line used to exist but it was wiped out in the 1970 earthquake.

[edit] Airport

The city is served by the Tnte. FAP Jaime Montreuil Morales Airport and operated by CORPAC S.A. It was created in 1957 under the government of then President Manuel Prado Ugarteche.

Currently the airport does not handle any domestic flights, only private flights. The airport is undergoing minor safety-related renovations as of April 2006.

[edit] Tourism

To the south of the city, there are many beaches, such as Vesique, Los Chimus, Tortugas, Caleta Colorada and El Dorado.

Also located near Chimbote is the Isla Blanca (white isle, in English), that takes its name from the white color of the ground. This land measures approximately 3200 meters in length, 920 meters in width and about 204 meters in height.

Located next to the city is, Cerro de la Juventud (Mountain of Youth), also called Cerro de la Paz (Mountain of Peace). Since 1985, this tourist attraction brings hundreds of people from all over. The visitor will appreciate a panoramic view of Chimbote's bay from the top of this mountain.

The tourist can also visit the Isla Blanca Boulevard - which has many beautiful marble sculptures and fountains.

Chimbote has two important celebrations during the year: Holy Week and The Festivity of San Pedrito of Chimbote (also called Chimbote's Civic Anniversary).