La Merced, Junín facts for kids
La Merced is a lively city in the Junín Region of Peru. It is also known as Chanchamayo or Chanchamayu. The name "Chanchamayu" comes from the Quechua language. It means something like "walking quickly" or "confused river". La Merced is the main city, or capital, of the Chanchamayo Province.
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Where is La Merced?
La Merced is located in the central part of Peru. You can find it at 11°03′43″S 75°20′06″W / 11.06194°S 75.33500°W. It is about 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of Huancayo-Junín, which is the capital of the Junín Region. The city is also about 220 kilometers (137 miles) northeast of Lima, Peru's capital. La Merced sits about 751 meters (2,464 feet) above sea level. If you travel by paved road from Lima, it's about 305 kilometers (190 miles) to reach La Merced.
The city is on the western side of the Chanchamayu River. This river later joins others to become the Perené River. The Perené River is a part of the huge Amazon River system.
A Look at La Merced's History
La Merced was founded around 1884. A man named Jose Manuel Pereira started the settlement. He did this after the Pacific War. A group of Italian immigrants helped to build the new town.
Before this time, people tried many times to settle in the Chanchamayo valley. But the local Asháninka people lived there. They often fought back against the settlers. A famous Asháninka leader named Juan Santos Atahualpa led many of these efforts. The Peruvian army helped protect the new colonists. They had a small fort in a place called Kimiri. Over time, the Asháninka people moved further down the river. They slowly blended in with the new settlers.
Who Lives in La Merced?
In 2015, about 25,000 people lived in La Merced. The Chanchamayo area is a mix of different cultures. The local Asháninka people have a big influence on the city's way of life.
Fun Things to Do in La Merced
La Merced is a popular place for tourists from Peru. Even though it's far from Lima, people love to visit. This is because of its nice weather and beautiful, wild scenery.
The areas around the city are full of amazing sights:
- You can find many beautiful waterfalls.
- There are exciting whitewater creeks.
- The forests look like a jungle.
- You can see hills covered with trees.
- Rivers flow through the landscape.
- You might meet indigenous tribes who live traditionally.
- There are many farms and plantations.
- The area is home to lots of wildlife and different kinds of birds.
What Drives La Merced's Economy?
The economy of the Chanchamayo region mainly depends on a few key things:
- Tourism: Many visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty.
- Coffee: Growing and making coffee is a big business.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Farmers grow many types of produce. These include papayas, oranges, cassavas, avocados, pineapples, and passion fruits.
See also
In Spanish: La Merced (Chanchamayo) para niños
