Lima was founded by water's edge as the South American seaport for importing and exporting goods some five hundred years ago. At this time, when the Spanish conquered its indigenous inhabitants in the early 1500s, the population exploded and the city grew in prominence with every sea traveler and tradesman passing through. The Inca past melted with that of the Spanish conquistadors, forming the country's capital, that today, blends both indigenous tradition with European culture.

What the Spanish brought when they settled Lima was the inevitable future of skyscrapers, upscale shopping plazas, and commercial activity to rival most of South America. Lima now holds a bustling 6.4 million people within its four hundred square miles of metropolitan hubbub. Evidence of Lima's past can still be seen throughout the city. Some 1,600 wooden balconies from the colonial era bespeak the influence the Muslim Moors had over the Spanish. Lush green parks with overhanging Brazilian nut trees, which are thousands of years old, battle for space with constructions of eight well-established Peruvian universities. A walk through Lima is like a walk through history.

In the heart of Lima lays the Plaza de Armas, site of the city's significant religious and political institutions. It is here where Lima was founded in 1535 by the Spanish soldier Francisco Pizarro, and the plaza's fountain from the mid-17th century pays tribute to him. In this very plaza in 1821, Perú's independence was proclaimed.

Leading away from the plaza, and along each side, is a mile-wide stretch of street on which you can sit in a side cafe, cool down with an iced drink in-hand, while the afternoon sun brings the day's activities to a close.

Be sure not to miss:

-LarcoMar in Miraflores, along Lima's coast
-Calle Pizza in Miraflores
-Plaza de Armas, the heart of old Lima
-The National Museum featuring scale models of temples, ruins and archaeological sites
-El Parque del Amor (Love Park) on the cliffs of Chorrillos
-Inca Market in Miraflores
-Barranco, a bohemian neighborhood of Lima
-Barrios San Isidro and Miraflores, home to restauruants, museums, banks, hotels, businesses, gardens, shops, cafés, and other diversions
-Beaches on the banks of the Pacific Ocean, including Ancón, Villa, San Pedro, El Silencio, Caballeros, Señoritas, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo, Santa María, Naplo, and Pucusana

How are you? - ¿Cómo estás? or ¿Cómo te va?
I'm fine. Thank you! - Bien. ¡Gracias!
You're welcome. - De nada or No hay de que.
Excuse me (when passing through a crowd). - Permicito.
Good morning. - Buenos días.
Good afternoon. - Buenas tardes.
Good evening/Good night. - Buenas noches.
Hello! - ¡Hola!
Good bye. - Chao/chau.
How much does it cost? - ¿Cuánto cuesta? or ¿Cuánto vale?
What is your name? - ¿Cómo te llamas?
My name is...... - Me llamo.......
Where is the hotel? - ¿Dónde está el hotel?
Where is the telephone? - ¿Dónde está el teléfono?
Where is the bathroom? - ¿Dónde están los servicios? or ¿Dónde está el baño?
What time is it? - ¿Qué hora es?
I am a vegetarian. - Soy vegetariano/a.
I don't understand. - No entiendo.
Please speak slower. - Más despacio por favor.
Help! - ¡Ayuda!, ¡Ayúdame!, ¡Auxilo!
Be careful! - ¡Ten cuidado!
Do you speak English? - ¿Hablas inglés?
I don't speak Spanish. - No hablo castellano.These articles and newsletters are written and created by our very own ISA Lima students! Check out what students do while they are studying abroad, it's a great way to practice reading in Spanish!