Piura Region 714987 208362710 2008-04-26T18:15:27Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[da:Piura (region)]] {{dablink|This article is about the Region of Piura. For its capital city, see [[Piura]]. For other uses, see [[Piura (disambiguation)]].}} {{Peru region table |name = Piura |image = Logo Piura Region in Peru.png |imagesize = 100px |image_caption = Regional logo |map = [[Image:Location of Piura region.png|Location of the Piura Region in Peru]] |president = César Trelles Lara |capital = [[Piura]] |elevation = 29 |largest = |area = 35,892.49 |pop = 1,630,772 |density = 45.4 |provinces = 8 provinces and 64 districts |lowest = -34 m (Bayóvar depression) |highest = 2709 m ([[Ayabaca]]) |areacode = 73 |lat = 4º04'50" to 6º22'12" S |long = 79º12'30" to 81º19'36" W |resources = [[Petroleum]], [[rice]], [[cotton]], [[lemon]] |poverty = 63.3% |GDPshare = 3.94% |website = [http://www.regionpiura.gob.pe www.regionpiura.gob.pe] |iso = PIU |ubigeo = 20 }} '''Piura''' is a [[coast]]al region in northwestern [[Peru]]. "Piura" is derived from the [[Quechua language|Quechua]] word ''pirhua'', whose approximate meaning is "supply base", as the area was used by the [[Inca]]s as a stop to get provisions during their conquest of the area's original inhabitants. The region's capital is [[Piura]] and its largest port cities, [[Paita]] and [[Talara]], are also among the most important in Peru. The area is known for its warm tropical and dry or semi-[[tropical]] beaches, exquisite food and hospitable people. The country's latest decentralization program is in hiatus after the proposal to merge departments was defeated in the national referendum in October 2005. <ref>US State department at www.state.gov July 2007 "Background Note: Peru" [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35762.htm]</ref> The [[referendum]] held on [[October 30]], [[2005]], as part of the ongoing [[decentralization process in Peru]], to decide whether the region would merge with the current regions of [[Lambayeque Region|Lambayeque]] and [[Tumbes Region|Tumbes]] to create a new ''Región Norte'' was defeated. ==Geography== The Piura Region is bordered to the north by the [[Tumbes Region]], by southern [[Ecuador]], to the east by [[Cajamarca Region]], to the south by the [[Lambayeque Region]], and to the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]]. "Punta Pariñas" in Piura is South America's most western point. The territory of the Piura Region has many climate variations due to its geographical location. It is just 4 degrees south of the equator, yet receives two ocean currents at the same time: the cold [[Humboldt Current]] (13-20 °C) and the warm [[El Niño Current]] (20-27 °C). This makes the Piura Region a land that is both tropical and arid at the same time, ''The Land where the Tropics eet The Desert'' The coast is divided by the Peruvian ''subtropical desert'' of [[Sechura]] on the south and [[savanna]]-like scrub [[tropical-dry forests]] to the center and north of the region. There are also small valleys of tropical climate, where [[rice]] and [[coconut]] fields are common, especially around the [[Piura]] and [[Sullana]] rivers. There is a [[high Amazon]] climate (''selva alta'') as one goes away from the coast onto the sierra; [[Paramo]] climates and cooler temperatures appear as one climbs the sierra. Topography is smooth in the coast and rough in the [[Sierra]]. There are many arid plains in the southern region. The [[Sechura Desert]], located south of the [[Piura River]], is Peru's largest desert and one of the world's few examples of a [[tropical desert]]; it borders a tropical terrain to the north. The Bayóvar depression, which is the lowest point in the country, is located in this desert. The morphological forms most common in the coast are the dry [[ravine]] that suddenly become copious when there are heavy rains, forming tropical dry forests all over. Other features are half-moon shaped [[dune]]s, the marine terraces such as those of Máncora, Talara and Lobitos. Valleys have been formed by fluvial terraces of the [[Chira River]] and [[Piura Rivers]]. To the east, valleys are more or less deep and have been eroded by rivers forming ''equatorial tropical-dry-forests''. The major peak surpasses 3000 m. The Paso de Porculla, in the southwest of the territory is only 2,138 meters high and is the lowest pass of the Peruvian Andes. The rivers crossing its territory belong both to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]] and to the [[Amazon Basin]]. The [[Chira River]] is the most important and flows into the Pacific Ocean. The intermittent [[Piura River]], only flows into the sea during the summer rainy season. ===Climate=== The climate is [[subtropics|semi tropical]] and [[tropical savanna]] in the center and north coast, [[Semi-arid]] in the southern coast near [[Lambayeque Region]]. Piura has a [[tropical-dry]] or [[tropical savanna]] climate [[monsoon]] weather that averages 26 °C throughout the whole year. Pleasant warm [[winter]]s (May to October) that average between 25°C and 28°C during the daytime and lows around 16 °C during the night. Piura is covered by deserts, tropical valleys, dry equatorial forests, [[high amazon]] climates as you reach between 1000-1500 meters, and a humid subtropical sierra climate if you reach over 2,000 meters. The [[Paramo climate]] is found in the higher regions of the Sierra. Rain is scarce from May to November: it rains only from December to April at discontinuous rates due to the influence of the [[Niño Current]], but every so often, when the [[El Niño]] phenomenon arrives, rain is copious and makes the dry ravines become alive, giving rise not only to the impressive forests but to many [[flood]]s and great landslides. El Niño occurs when ocean waters reach 27 °C. When ocean water temperatures elevate 1 or 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than 26 °C, the consequence could be catastrophical rains. Although ocean waters can drop to 19 °C during the dry winter months (May to October), they can also rise to 27 °C during the humid summer months (December to April); this calls for pleasant rains; yet if temperatures rise 1 or 1.5 °C degrees above that, [[El Niño]] is assured. During [[summer]] (December to April) temperatures can reach over the 40 °C inland. During night time, high 20s or even 30s may seem unpleasant, which urge people to go to beach resorts such as [[Mancora]] or [[Colan]]. The rest of the months have pleasant summer temperatures in the low 30s and mid 20s °C. === Natural resources and wildlife === Piura is the land of a variety of unique [[carob]] trees and the region with most [[equatorial tropical-dry forests]] in the whole Pacific. These ecoregions carry a unique variety of orchids, birds, reptiles, plants and mammals. Piura is known for the best and oldest lime-lemons in South America as well as South America's finest [[mango]] (tropical dry). With Lambayeque, it is the original home of [[Pima cotton]]. Piura also produces bananas, coconuts, rice and other fruits as local income. The "Manglares de Vice" in the Sechura Province of Piura is the southernmost region of the Pacific to hold [[mangrove]]s. Its development has been favoured also by the [[petroleum]] found in the ocean of [[Talara Province]], [[fishing]] is blessed by two ocean currents, silver mines are common and the current Bayovar Deposits are present as well. ==History== The most important culture that developed in the Piura region was [[Vicus (Peru)|Vicus]], which stood out for its [[ceramic]]s and delicate work in [[gold]]. The [[Tallanes]] or [[Yungas]], however, were the first settlers, who migrated from the [[Sierra]]. During a period that is still vague, they lived in ''behetrias'', which were primitive settlements without a head or an organization. Later they were conquered by the [[Mochica]]s and, centuries later, by the [[Inca]]s, during the rule of [[Tupac Inca Yupanqui]]. In 1532, [[Francisco Pizarro]] founded the first Spanish city in South America on the banks of the [[Chira River]] in the [[Tangarará Valley]]. He named it San Miguel de Piura. The founding date is still subject of controversy. However, during the 450th anniversary celebrations, [[July 15]] was adopted as the official date. In 1534, due to a lack of sanitary conditions, the capital was moved to Monte de los Padres ([[Morropón]]); in 1578, and for the same reason, it was moved again, this time to San Francisco de la Buena Esperanza ([[Paita]]). In 1588, the permanent attacks of the English [[pirate]]s and [[Privateer]]s forced a final relocation of the capital to Piura. During [[Colonial]] times, life went by peacefully. Yet, the raids against the Spanish authorities led by Admirals Borran and Cochrane, members of the libertarian expedition of [[José de San Martín]], woke the longing for liberty in the minds of the local people. == Culture and customs of Piura == Piura is host to a stunning ''[[mestizo]]'' culture, since all races mix here. Local ''Piuranos'' have a different accent from their neighbours at both sides since: they tend elongate their syllables in a similar ways to northern Mexicans. ''Piuranos'' have their own proud [[slang]]. Locals for example, call themselves ''Churres'' (popular term used for a young Piuran or northern person). ''Piuranos'' are characterized by their witty minds, melancolic ''Tondero music'' and welcoming personalities. Like all Peruvians, they are heavy drinkers of [[chicha de jora]], [[pisco]] or beer and all of them have a tendency towards creativity and art as their source of income. Gastronomical dishes like the Piuran [[Secho de Chavelo]] (the capital's dish), [[Algarrobina]] cocktails, many types of [[ceviche]]s and other seafoods like [[Majarisco]] and [[Pasao al Agua]]. Piura is famed for its [[Natilla Sweets]] as well. The warm climate of this region forbids hard labour from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., so it is common tradition to take ''siestas'' and better to wake up early to get important stuff done before noon. Processions and religious folk is passionately practiced by locals. One of them is [[Cristo de Ayabaca]]. Popular crafts are the [[Chulucana Pottery]] and handy ''hats'' and ''silversmith arts'' made from the [[Catacaos]] Province. Northern cowboys can still be seen today wandering the deserts of [[Sechura]], [[Catacaos]] and the forests of [[Morropon]] transporting their goods using donkeys and mules. They seem to resemble physically the "American Southwest" [[cowboy]]s, or Argentinan [[gaucho]]s and Mexican [[charro]]s. They are noted not only for their abilities to sing and play ''Cumanana and Tondero'' but as [[silversmith]]s that work the beautiful filgree [[earring]]s, [[leather]]s, [[hat]]s, wooden and silver utensiles of Catacaos region. ===Music=== The [[Tondero]] and [[Cumanana]] are the traditional music of the Piura Region. The great exponents of these passionate rhythms are the cowboys called ''[[piajenos]]''. Apparently they point to have a [[Roma people|Roma]], or Gypsy, origin. [[Chicha Music]] now called [[Tecnocumbia]] (originally a Peruvian styled cumbia), is the modern version of popular music all over, as well as ''Salsa'' among youngsters. Another great tradition that is sang by all northern Peruvians is the famous ''Peruvian Waltz'', well practiced by traditional musicians (northern Peruvians have their style). ==Political division== The region is divided into 8 [[province]]s ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''provincias'', singular: ''provincia''), which are composed of 64 [[district]]s (''distritos'', singular: ''distrito''). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are: # [[Ayabaca Province|Ayabaca]] ([[Ayabaca]]) # [[Huancabamba Province|Huancabamba]] ([[Huancabamba]]) # [[Morropón Province|Morropón]] ([[Chulucanas]]) # [[Paita Province|Paita]] ([[Paita]]) # [[Piura Province|Piura]] ([[Piura]]) # [[Sechura Province|Sechura]] ([[Sechura]]) # [[Sullana Province|Sullana]] ([[Sullana]]) # [[Talara Province|Talara]] ([[Talara]]) ==References== <references /> {{Refimprove|date=September 2007}} {{Provinces of Piura Region}} ==External links== * [http://www.regionpiura.gob.pe Portal Oficial del Gobierno Regional Piura] - Piura Regional Government official website * [http://www.elregionalpiura.com.pe Diario El Regional de Piura] - Regional newspaper {{Regions of Peru}} [[Category:Regions of Peru]] [[be-x-old:П'юра (дэпартамэнт)]] [[bg:Пиура (регион)]] [[ca:Regió de Piura]] [[da:Piura (region)]] [[de:Piura (Region)]] [[es:Departamento de Piura]] [[fr:Région de Piura]] [[id:Region Piura]] [[it:Regione di Piura]] [[la:Piura Regio]] [[nl:Piura (regio)]] [[no:Piura-regionen]] [[nn:Piura-regionen]] [[pt:Piura (região)]] [[qu:Piwra suyu]] [[sv:Piura (region)]]