Rioja Province, Administrative province in San Martin Region, northern Peru.
Rioja Province is an administrative region in northern San Martin that encompasses nine districts spread across different elevations. Nueva Cajamarca and Rioja serve as main population centers connected by a network of roads throughout the territory.
The territory was originally inhabited by the Uquihuas and Chepenes peoples before Catholic missionaries arrived in the late 1500s. This early contact with European influence shaped the region permanently.
Local communities gather throughout the year for festivals celebrating harvests and sharing agricultural knowledge passed down through generations. These celebrations show how deeply connected daily life is to the seasons and crops that grow in the region.
An airport in the provincial capital offers flight connections, while roads link all districts and enable various overland transport options. Visitors should keep in mind that rain can affect road conditions, especially during the wetter months.
The region spans varied terrain with elevation differences ranging from around 848 meters to over 1,000 meters in the peaks of the upper Mayo River valley. These height variations create different climate zones and influence the diversity of plant and animal life across the territory.
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