The Chala region or coast of Peru, comprises about 11% of the total Peruvian area. Its extension includes the borders with Ecuador and Chile. It is also known as the "region of the mists", one of the meanings attributed to the word "chala".
The coastal region is especially characterized by being quite desert and having small elevations. It is made up of the most important cities in the country, and some of the most inhabited in the Latin American continent.
This region is of great importance for Peru because it is one of the areas with the highest agricultural production, because its surface allows the cultivation of different elements. It also has a varied climate, encompassing very hot and cold temperatures, around 13 ° C.
The surface of the coast of Peru is characterized by being long and narrow, covering its widest point 180 km.
It is a highly tourist area due to the number of beaches, islands and islets it has, and due to its large number of natural reserves, through which various important plant and animal organisms for the ecosystem of the Peruvian coast are protected.
Weather
Most of the extension of the Chala region is characterized by being a desert. However, it is considered one of the most suitable regions to practice agriculture, because its surface is suitable for the cultivation of the main Peruvian export products, such as grapes, asparagus and olives, among others.
The region of the Peruvian coast is located at an altitude between 0 and 500 meters above sea level, and has a variable climate depending on the area of the region:
- To the north the climate is tropical with abundant rains,
- In the southern and central areas there is a more arid and humid climate.
The average temperature ranges between 18 and 21 ° C. In winter it can reach 13 ° C and it is quite cloudy; and in summer the temperature can rise up to 30 ° C.
Through the Chala region flow the 53 rivers belonging to the Hydrographic Slope of the Pacific, which are born in the western Andean area of Peru and flow into the sea.
You may be interested The 53 Valleys of the Peruvian Coast.
Main cities
The Chala region contains the most important cities in Peru, and is one of the most inhabited. In fact, more than half of the population of that country lives on the Peruvian coast. The following are the most relevant cities in the region:
- Lima
It is the capital of Peru and one of the most populated cities in Latin America. It is located towards the center of the Chala region and is the industrial, cultural and economic center of Peru.
It is one of the cities with the largest number of islets and islands on its coastline, and Lima's mining industry specializes in the extraction of silver, copper and coal.
- Ica
Ica is a city with about ten thousand years old that is located in the south of the coastal region. It is recognized for the high quality of its wines and for being the only one in the region that does not have Andes mountains on its surface.
Within Ica is the Paracas National Reserve, a space that protects species of flora and fauna from part of the Peruvian sea and desert.
In this reserve you can find more than 200 types of marine flora, and also dolphins, Humboldt penguins, sea lions, among other organisms.
- Arequipa
It is located in the south of the coastal region and its historic center is considered a Unesco Cultural Heritage. Different foods are grown on its surface, such as pear, vine, olive tree, rice and garlic, among others.
Arequipa has a developed mining industry, especially focused on copper extraction.
It is also one of the cities with the greatest climatic variety, because it can present from quite warm temperatures, to snowfalls typical of the months of July and August.
- Callao
It is the main commercial port of Peru. It is located towards the west of the region, and among its main export products are fish oil and fishmeal.
A relevant historical fact is that the first railway built in Latin America communicated Callao with Lima.
Relief
Since the Chala area is quite desert, the territory is characterized by being undulating and flat. Throughout the territory the so-called pampas are obtained, which are plains at the height of the coast, without arboreal vegetation.
In this coastal region there are also many dunes formed by the large amounts of accumulated sand.
Rather stony deserts, cliffs, elevated beaches or river terraces can also be found.
Flora
The Chala region is characterized by being the ideal surface for the presence of marine vegetation.
In addition, plants are grown from which important products for domestic consumption and for Peru's export are generated. An example of this is the vine, a plant that is the base ingredient for wines and pisco.
Many mangroves and carob trees also grow in this area, as well as various herbs, palm trees, bromeliads, sugar cane and olive trees.
Fauna
On the Peruvian coast there are several national reserves that seek to preserve and protect characteristic species of the area.
The marinas stand out especially, such as sea lions, guano birds (pelicans, boobies, guanayes among others), whales and fish such as the anchovy, which is of great importance for the ecosystem and is one of the main products of both artisanal and industrial fishing..
farming
As mentioned before, the great majority of the products exported from Peru are grown in the Chala region. The main crops include cotton, beans, onion, lettuce, purple corn, asparagus, oregano, sugar cane, and paprika, among others.
Themes of interest
Coast of Peru: Characteristics, Climate, Relief, Demography.
4 Economic Activities of the Peruvian Coast.
The Flora of the Peruvian Coast: Species and Conservation.
The 8 Main Products of the Peruvian Coast.
3 Natural Resources of the Peruvian Coast.
References
- "The eight natural regions of Peru: Coast or Chala" (20 September 2016) in El Popular. Retrieved on August 20 from El Popular: elpolular.pe.
- "Callao" in Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on August 20 from Encyclopedia Britannica: britannica.com.
- "Natural regions" in Ser Peruano. Retrieved on August 20 from Ser Peruano: serperuano.com.
- "Report of Peru" in Organization of Ibero-American States. Retrieved on August 20 from the Organization of Ibero-American States: oei.es.
- "Agriculture on the Peruvian coast" in Folder Pedagogic. Retrieved on August 20 from Pedagogical Folder: Cienciageografica.carpetapedagogica.com.
- “Paracas National Reserve” in Paracas. Retrieved on August 20 from Paracas: paracas.com.
- "These are the 10 main agro-export products" (June 26, 2015) in RPP Noticias. Retrieved on August 20 from RPP Noticias: rpp.pe.
- "The ABC of the anchovy" (11 August 2016) in Océana. Retrieved on August 20 from Océana: peru.oceana.org.
- "Callao" in Peru. Retrieved on August 20 from Peru: peru.travel.