Callao
Constitutional province of Callao
Provincia Constitucional del Callao (Spanish) | |
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City | |
Clockwise from top left: Navy Ship; Leoncio Prado Military College; Miguel Grau Square; La Punta Viewpoint; Real Felipe Fortress; Sea lions; Port Terminal; San José Church; San Lorenzo Island; and Jorge Chávez International Airport | |
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| Nicknames: La Perla del Pacífico (Pearl of the Pacific) El Primer Puerto (The First Harbor) | |
| Motto(s): La fiel y generosa ciudad del Callao, asilo de las leyes y de la libertad. (The faithful and generous city of Callao, asylum of the laws and freedom.) | |
| Coordinates: 12°03′08″S 77°08′21″W / 12.05222°S 77.13917°W | |
| Country | Peru |
| Region | Callao |
| Provinces | Constitutional province of Callao |
| Founded | 6 March 1537 |
| Founded by | Diego Ruiz |
| Districts | 7 Districts |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Pedro Spadaro |
| Area | |
• Total | 147.85 km2 (57.09 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
• Total | 1,300,000 |
| • Density | 8,800/km2 (23,000/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Chalaco/a |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
| Postal code | 07001 |
| Area code | 14 |
| Website | Official Website |
Callao (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈʎao]) is a Peruvian seaside city and region on the Pacific Ocean in the Lima metropolitan area. Callao is Peru's chief seaport and home to its main airport, Jorge Chávez International Airport. Callao municipality consists of the whole Callao region, which is also coterminous with the province of Callao. Founded in 1537 by the Spaniards, the city has a long naval history as one of the main ports in Latin America and the Pacific, as it was one of vital Spanish towns during the colonial era. Central Callao is about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the Historic Center of Lima.