Chota, Peru facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chota
Town
Cathedral of Chota
Chota, Peru Location in Peru
Country	Peru
Region	Cajamarca
Province	Chota
District	Chota
Area
• Total	392.47 km2 (151.53 sq mi)
Elevation	2,388 m (7,835 ft)
Population  (2017)
• Total	47,279
• Density	120.4653/km2 (312.004/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (PET)

Chota is a town located in northern Peru. It is the capital of the Chota Province in the Cajamarca Region. The city is also home to the Territorial Prelature of Chota, which is a type of church area.

History of Chota

Ancient Times in Chota

Chota has a very long history, going back to before the Inca Empire. It was once part of the ancient Cajamarca kingdom. Many old ruins in the area show that a lot of people lived here a long time ago.

Places like Pacopampa and Negropampa have signs of influence from famous ancient cultures. These include the Chavin, Wari, and Moche people. Over time, other groups like the Los Huambos and Cuismanco also lived here. Around the mid-1400s, the Inca ruler Túpac Yupanqui made this area part of the Inca Empire.

The city of Chota was first officially started on November 1, 1552. It was named "All Saints of Chota" by Father Juan Ramírez. This first settlement was located southwest of where Chota is today.

Chota During Spanish Rule and Later Years

During the War of the Pacific, a big conflict between Peru and Chile, Chota faced a difficult time. After a battle nearby called the Battle of San Pablo, Chilean soldiers entered Chota. The people of Chota tried to defend their city.

Because of this, on August 29, 1882, Chilean troops burned down much of Chota. They saw it as a main base for the northern Peruvian forces. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and the church was also burned. Luckily, the statue of the city's patron saint, Mary Immaculate, was saved.

Geography and Climate of Chota

Where is Chota Located?

Chota is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Cajamarca. It is also about 215 kilometers (134 miles) east of Chiclayo. The city sits high up in the mountains, at 2,388 meters (7,835 feet) above sea level. It is on a high flat area called the Acunta plateau, on the eastern side of the Andes mountains.

Rivers Around Chota

Chota is surrounded by rivers on three sides. These rivers are part of the western Amazon basin. To the north is the San Mateo River. To the east is the Colpamayo River. Both of these rivers flow west into the Rio Chotano. The Rio Chotano forms the southwestern border of Chota.

Chota's Weather

Chota usually has a mild climate. It gets rain because of the El Niño weather pattern. This is also due to its location near the Equator and being in a warm mountain zone. The city has mild winters. Summers are hot and rainy, lasting from November to April. The average temperature in Chota is about 17.8 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit).

Festivals and Traditions in Chota

San Juan Bautista Festival

The most important celebration in Chota is the San Juan Bautista festival. It starts on June 13 with a big procession. The main day of the festival is June 24. Many fun activities happen during this time:

• Chotanos Identity Day: On June 22, people celebrate the history and heroes of Chota. They honor José Manuel Silva, a hero of independence, and Anaximando Becerra Vega Mateola, a famous poet. Both were important people from Chota.
• Sanjuanpampa Festival: This part of the festival takes place at a farm called Corepuquio. On June 23 and 24, there are parties and concerts. You can also enjoy cultural events, try local dishes, and watch traditional dances. There are contests for Paso horses, and even bullfights, motocross races, and soccer games during the day.
• Flor de Chota Beauty Contest: Young women from all over the Chota district compete to be crowned "Flor de Chota" (Flower of Chota). This contest has two parts: a qualifying round and the grand final on June 23 and 24.
• Bullfighting Events: On June 25, 26, and 27, exciting bullfights are held. These take place at the famous Plaza de toros El Vizcaino. It is the second-largest bullring in Peru, after the Plaza de toros de Acho in Lima. Because of these events, Chota is known as the "Bullfighting Capital of Northern Peru."

See also

In Spanish: Chota para niños