Jauja, Mountain city in Mantaro Valley, Peru
Jauja is a mountain city in the Mantaro Valley, Peru, located at 3,400 meters elevation (11,150 feet) between farmland and Andean peaks. The city spreads across gentle slopes, its streets connecting residential neighborhoods with shops, markets, and churches from different centuries.
Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1534 as Peru's first capital but moved the administration to Lima the following year. Afterward, the place developed into an important center for trade and agriculture in the central highlands.
The Tunantada dance features masks and costumes representing colonial social classes. Performances take place mainly during January festivities, when dance groups move through the streets.
Francisco Carle Airport offers connections to Lima, and buses travel over paved roads to other cities in the region. Altitude may cause fatigue or shortness of breath for travelers, so gradual adjustment is recommended.
The phrase país de Jauja appears in Spanish-language literature as a symbol for a land where everything is effortlessly available. The expression is found in texts from the 16th century onward and remains in use today.
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