Chiclayo

St. Mary's Cathedral in Chiclayo, Peru.

Chiclayo, city, northern Peru. It is located on the Pan-American Highway approximately 475 miles (764 km) northwest of Lima, in an irrigated area producing sugarcane, cotton, and rice. Founded in 1720, it became a city in 1835 and is the leading commercial centre of Lambayeque. The bustling city has many parks and gardens and a large marketplace. It has an international airport and is connected by highway with the ports of Eten and Pimentel. St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in the mid-19th century, overlooks the city’s main square. Nearby are Sipán, an ancient twin pyramid complex, and Tucume, an archaeological site with 26 pre-Columbian pyramids. Pop. (2007) 524,442.