Tumbes Region
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Tumbes is a region in northwestern Peru. It is bordered by Ecuador on the east; by the Piura Region on the south, and by the Pacific Ocean on the north and west. Its capital is the city of Tumbes. Due to the region's location near the Equatorial line it has a warm climate, with beaches that are considered among the finest in Peru. The Tumbes Region is located in a strategic zone due to its closeness to the Ecuadorian border. Despite its small area, this region has been privileged with a great variety of ecosystems. Template:Peru region table
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Geography
Morphologically, four zones can be defined in the region: the delta of the Tumbes and Zarumilla rivers; an alluvial plain north of the Tumbes River, with dry, low-depth ravines; ancient terraces that have been strongly eroded in the Máncora area; and the Amotape mountain range in the east and south, with its ending point at the El Barco Mountain. The delta of the Tumbes river is shallow and when the tide is low, little sandy keys show up, which get covered by mangrove vegetation.
Despite its reduced area (it is the second-smallest region in Peru), Tumbes has been privileged by nature with a great variety of ecosystems: mangroves, dry forests, the only coastal tropical forests in Peru, and a rich and warm sea. Around 50% of the region's territory is covered by three protected natural areas: the Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary (which is part of the Gulf of Guayaquil-Tumbes mangroves), the Cerros de Amotape National Park and the Tumbes Reserved Zone.
Climate
Tumbes has a warm and humid semi-tropical climate, with a maximum high of 38°C, minimum low of 19°C and a yearly average of 26°C. The rainy season, which is more severe during El Niño, is from December to March.
Political division
The region is divided into 3 provinces (Spanish: provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 12 districts (distritos, singular: distrito).
The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are:
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History
Tumbes was a populated region well before the Inca Empire. The first settlers were fishers and hunters. Most recent cultures that lived there have left evidence of the refinement in their ceramics, and huacas or ruins that still stand today.
The Inca empire extended its domains up to Tumbes when Inca Pachakutiq was ruling. He introduced a new way of organizing the empire, but the task of integrating these people to the empire continued with Tupac Inca Yupanqui. He gave great importance to this region by making it a key point in the conquest of the Cañaris.
The adventure of the Spanish Conquistadores starts in Tumbes. After overcoming countless difficulties, the conquerors were able to land in the empire of which they had heard many legends. Undoubtedly, the thought of such a rich empire had instilled in their spirit an unwavering will to go on. With the information gathered, the conquerors set off to the rest of the empire, founding cities and overpowering their people.
During colonial times, Tumbes was no more than a crossing point where soldiers and adventurers stopped momentarily to restock themselves, and continue traveling. Tumbes, however, gained permanent importance after Peru's independence, due to its closeness to the Ecuadorian border and this country's long-standing territorial claims over northern Peru. The region was the setting of some episodes of the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War.
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Attractions
Touristic sites
The fact that Tumbes lies so close to the Equator has determined its landscape, which teems in plantlife. The beaches of Tumbes and its warm sea are ideal for surfing and underwater fishing. The beach of Punta Sal is considered one of the finest on the Peruvian coast because of its pure white sands, sun and warm weather all year long, and a sea ideal for water sports. North of the city of Tumbes lies Puerto Pizarro, the gateway to the National Mangroves Sanctuary. The mangroves have formed vast clumps of water-borne forests which have created a unique ecosystem linking the river and the sea. The mangroves are the breeding grounds for black scallops, which are served up in Tumbes' most famous dish, the black scallops ceviche.
South of Tumbes lies Zorritos, the town which received its name from workers involved in drilling the first oilwell in the area, back in 1863. Not far from Zorritos lies the Bocapán beach, where visitors can swim in Hervideros, natural hot springs bubbling with iodized salts.
Typical dishes and beverages
The typical dishes of the Tumbesino cuisine are based on seafood, preferably black scallops, crabs, shrimps, and bananas known as plátanos dominicos.
Among the most well-known dishes are, the black scallops ceviche, which come from the Manglares, and banana balls broth with dominicos, meat, red peppers, eggs, olives, raisins, flour, coriander and other herbs.
Other specialties include, the shrimp omelette, chupe de cangrejos, cebiche mixto, and the crab pulp omelette.
A typical beverage in the region is the chinguirito, which is obtained by combining pipa (the milk of a soft coconut) with aguardiente.
External links
- Tumbes region official website (in Spanish) (http://www.regiontumbes.gob.pe)
- Peru info: Tumbes Region (http://www.peru.com/peruinfo/ingles/info_dptos/tumbes/tumbes.htm)