Tacna Region
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| Missing image Location_of_Tacna_region.png Location of the Tacna region in Peru | |
| President | Julio Alva |
| Capital | Tacna |
| Area | 16,062.62 km² |
| Population - Total - Density | 317 619 (2005 estimate) 18.3/km² |
| Subdivisions | 4 provinces and 26 districts |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Elevation - Highest | 3415 m (Candarave) |
| Latitude Longitude | 16°58'00" to 18°21'34 S 69°28'00" to 71°00'02" W |
| Main resources | Grapevine, cotton, copper. |
| Persons living in poverty | 32.8% |
| Percentage of country's GDP | 1.7% |
| Official website: www.regiontacna.gob.pe | |
Tacna is Peru's southernmost region. It is bordered by Chile on the south and east, Bolivia on the east, the Puno Region on the northeast, the Moquegua Region on the north and northwest, and by the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its capital is the city of Tacna.
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Geography
The region is located below the Titicaca Plateau, and has a diverse geography, including volcanoes, deserts and mountainous zones, from which arise rivers that go over the punas and the plateaus, thus forming the hydrographical system of this zone. The region is small in size, but has a great mining and agriculture potential. It has various climates and a diverse production.
Political division
The Tacna region is divided into four provinces (provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 26 districts (distritos, singular: distrito). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are:
Map_of_Tacna_region.PNG
History
There is evidence of the presence of a very early culture that goes back more than 10 000 years. The archaeological investigations in the region have proved that a civilization dwelled in this zone in the Stone Age. The Toquepala Cave (7630 BC) and Abrigo de Caru (6240 BC) belong to this age. There are other sites such as Girata Complex, Mullini, and Queñavichinca, where investigations have not been concluded.
The first groups of Spanish conquerors arrived to the region in 1535. These groups were formed by members of the Almagro expedition, organized to conquer Chile. During this time, the city of Tacna was called Villa San Pedro de Tacna.
In 1615 and 1784 Tacna experienced violent earthquakes and many towns were reduced to ruins. However, they were rebuilt by their people who decided to stay in the same place.
Tacna has a seat of honor in the emancipation process. Since 1810, the local patriots, learning from their neighbors, the Argentineans, who had already declared their independence, started to conspire. In 1811, Francisco Antonio de Zela, sent forth the first libertarian outcry in Tacna.
Once the Peruvian independence was consummated, the heroism of this city was honored by promoting it to the rank of villa on 1823. In May 26, 1828, President José de La Mar promulgated a law given by Congress by which the city of Tacna was given the title of Ciudad Heroica (Heroic City).
During the War of the Pacific against Chile, the tacneños placed themselves in the front line, offering their lives defending the nation.
On May 26, 1880, after the Battle of Alto de la Alianza, the Chilean army invaded the Tacna province and remained there for five decades. In spite of time, the Tacneños kept their national pride high and, finally in 1929, the city was reincorporated to Peruvian territory.
Local customs
Typical dishes and beverages
Tacna offers visitors colorful dishes exquisitely combined and abundantly served. The picante a la Tacneña and patazca Tacneña belong to this region.
Corn and cheese, chicharrones with toasted corn, cuy or guinea pig chactado, corn cake with peanuts and raisins, baked pork, grilled lamb, are also local specialties.
To drink, Tacna has macerated Brussels apricot, frutilla or tumbo, and wines produced in the local vineyards.
Festivities
Carnivals. They are celebrated in different towns and villages with typical local dances that can go on for entire days and nights.
- April. Corn and Potato Festival in Tacna.
- May 1. Fiesta de las Cruces.
- May 26. Anniversary of the Battle of Alto de la Alianza.
- June 7. Anniversary of the Battle of Arica.
- June 20. Day to remember tacneño patriot Francisco Antonio de Zela.
- June 23. Night of San Juan.
August 28. Procesión de la Bandera. A singular and moving civic patriotic act in which the women of Tacna carry the red and white Peruvian flag through the streets of the city. Later, various associations, group of students, and the armed and police forces take part in a parade that ends in the main square, where the Arch of the Heroes is located. For a week the locals celebrate the reincorporating of the Heroic City of Tacna as part of the Peruvian territory. Simultaneously, a fair on farm and livestock products, industrial goods and handicrafts takes place.
External Links
- Tacna region official website (http://www.regiontacna.gob.pe)