Mantaro Valley
Encyclopedia
The Mantaro Valley, with its main city of Huancayo
, lies east of the capital of Peru
, Lima
. It is a fertile valley containing fields of corn, artichokes, carrots and potatoes, alongside which flows the Mantaro River
. The Mantaro Valley is also renowned as an area containing many sites of archaeological importance. Nearby lies the important city of Jauja
, Peru's provisional capital in 1534.
The Wanka people were eventually subdued during the reign of the Inca King Pachacutec, but in revenge for their oppression took sides with the Spanish during their conquest of Peru.
Eventually the Spanish in their quest to suppress paganism, tired of their allies, and destroyed an important temple of the Wanka - Warivilca (A temple constructed some 1000 years ago near the town of Huari.)
Hualhuas is known for its tapestries, blankets and sweaters, and where it is possible to see the craftspeople working at their weaving looms. Molinos is noted for woodcarving.
San Jeronimo de Tunan is famous for its intricately designed and crafted silver filigree jewellery.
Aco and Quilco specialise in ceramics and San Agustin de Cajas in hats of sheep wool. Mito has the tradition of making wooden masks, and Viquez has artisans who specialise in colorful belts and blankets. The twin towns of Cochos Grande and Cochos Chico are famous for their intricate carving on gourds, which are imported from other regions of Peru.
Huancayo
Huancayo with a rock') is the capital of the Junín Region, in the central highlands of Peru. It is located in Junín Province, of which it is also capital. Situated near the Mantaro Valley at an altitude of 3,271 meters, it has a population of 377,000 and is the fifth most populous city of the...
, lies east of the capital of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
. It is a fertile valley containing fields of corn, artichokes, carrots and potatoes, alongside which flows the Mantaro River
Mantaro River
The Mantaro River is a long river running through the central region of Peru. Its Quechua name means "great river".-Geography:The river has its source at Lake Junín at a height of 4.080 m and runs through Junín, Yauli, Jauja, Concepción and Huancayo provinces in Junín Region, then through...
. The Mantaro Valley is also renowned as an area containing many sites of archaeological importance. Nearby lies the important city of Jauja
Jauja
Jauja is a city and capital of Jauja Province in Peru. It is situated in the fertile Mantaro Valley, to the northwest of Huancayo , at an altitude of . Its population according to the 2007 census was 16,424....
, Peru's provisional capital in 1534.
History
It was inhabited by the Wanka (Huanca) people - a warlike race known for their cruelty towards their enemies.The Wanka people were eventually subdued during the reign of the Inca King Pachacutec, but in revenge for their oppression took sides with the Spanish during their conquest of Peru.
Eventually the Spanish in their quest to suppress paganism, tired of their allies, and destroyed an important temple of the Wanka - Warivilca (A temple constructed some 1000 years ago near the town of Huari.)
Climate
The weather is divided into three distinct seasons - the rainy season from November to April, winter from May to July and the dry sunny season, with strong winds from August to October.Local Crafts
In the valley are several small towns, each famous for its own particular craft.Hualhuas is known for its tapestries, blankets and sweaters, and where it is possible to see the craftspeople working at their weaving looms. Molinos is noted for woodcarving.
San Jeronimo de Tunan is famous for its intricately designed and crafted silver filigree jewellery.
Aco and Quilco specialise in ceramics and San Agustin de Cajas in hats of sheep wool. Mito has the tradition of making wooden masks, and Viquez has artisans who specialise in colorful belts and blankets. The twin towns of Cochos Grande and Cochos Chico are famous for their intricate carving on gourds, which are imported from other regions of Peru.