Moyobamba,
SAN MARTIN
Location,
extension and population
| Brief historic
overview |
Main attractions of the capital city |
Other attractions of the department of Moyobamba
|
Typical dishes and beverages |
Tourist calendar  LOCATION,
EXTENSION AND POPULATION
The department of San Martín is located in the High
Jungle of the north eastern region of the country. To the
north and east it limits with Loreto, to the south with Ucayali
and Huánuco, and to the west with Amazonas and La Libertad.
All its territory is located in the tropical region of Perú.
It has an extension of 53,064
km² (20,488 sq ml) and a population of almost 500,000
people.
The capital is Moyobamba.
Due to its geographic location, San Martín is hot and
humid-warm. The annual average temperature is 38ºC (100ºF),
with strong rains from January through March and June through
December.
Other important cities are Tarapoto,
Lamas, Rioja, Juanjuí, Saposoa, Tocache and Uchiza.
 BRIEF
HISTORIC OVERVIEW
The origins of San Martín
go back to when the fierce Chancas, prosecuted by the
Incas, came to this region and settled in a completely unknown
habitat. Their men dedicated to hunting and fishing.
When the conquerors arrived to
the Tahuantinsuyo, a group of them came to these territories,
founding the first city in the Jungle, Moyobamba, in 1541.
From there, the conquest was launched. Missionaries, soldiers,
merchants, and other individuals parted enthusiastically to
found new cities, establish authorities and construct European
style buildings. Moyobamba was the first city in the oriental
part of the country in which a Town Council was established,
a first governor designated, and a first Town Hall constructed.
In 1782, the Bishop of Trujillo,
Baltazar Jaime Martínez, founded Tarapoto, name given
to a local palm tree.
During the administration of
Marshal Castilla, the first Prefecture and Superior Court
of Justice were established in the city.
The department of San Martín
was created on September 14, 1906, through Law No. 201.
 MAIN
ATTRACTIONS OF THE CAPITAL CITY
Gera Waterfalls.
Located in the district of Jepelacio, at 21 km (19 ml) from
Moyobamba. One of the most beautiful natural resources in
the country.
San Mateo Thermal Baths and
Sulfur Baths. At 5 (3 ml) and 6 km (4 ml) of the
city respectively.
Morro de Calzada, a
small rounded hill in the village of Calzada considered the
guardian of the city.
Orchid Plantations, located
in different parts of the city and where more than 2,000 varieties
are found.
Las Puntas. A natural
esplanade or belvedere from where the beauty of the city can
be appreciated.
Río Mayo. The
river can be crossed with canoes or motor boats.
Bajada de Shango. Beautiful
countryside in the outskirts of the city.
OTHER
ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOYOBAMBA
Tarapoto,
known as the City of The Palm Trees, is located
at 33 m.a.s.l. (108 ft) with warm and agreeable weather. Among
the most attractive sites of the city are, the impressive
waterfalls of Ahuashiyacu, Huacamaillo, and Tununtununba,
with natural paradisaic landscapes.
Venecia Lagoon, also
located in Tarapoto, with very calm waters. Visitors can enjoy
boat rides, swimming or fishing.
Lago de Sauce o Blue Lagoon
is located at 52 km (32.3) from Tarapoto. Fishing, swimming,
water skiing, sailing and other sports are practiced.
Petroglyphs of Polish.
Located near Tarapoto, these petroglyphs depict the ritual
writing of the first settlers of the region.
Lamas. The folklore
capital of the department. It has attractive sites, such as,
the Huayco native quarter, Cumbre de Acomayo, Fundo
Don César, and an ethnic museum.
Rioja. Known as Hat
City. Among the sites worth visiting are, Cuevas de los
Huacharos, Cuevas de las Velas, Los Túneles,
Laguna de San Francisco, Mashuyacu, and San Juan Urificio
resort.
Balneario Cumbaza.
It is a quarter of the city bathed by the river of the
same name.
Juanjuí. Capital
of the province of Mariscal Cáceres, where the ruins
of Gran Pajatén are found. In has an extension
of 40 hectares, with circular constructions of slated flag
decorated with cabezas clavas (carved mythical figures)
and other figures depicting flying condors.
TYPICAL
DISHES AND BEVERAGES
The gastronomy in the department
of San Martín has a variety of dishes and drinks that
do not exist in other parts of the Jungle.
Among the most famous dishes
are, the rice juanes (rice tamales with hen, eggs and
olives), nina juane (similar in its presentation to
the former, based on battered eggs and chicken), nichicapi
(a hen, yucca, corn and peanut soup), timbuche (fresh
fish, battered eggs and coriander), tacacho (unripe
bananas mashed with lard). Also, cecina de tacacho,
chorizo, inchicucho and poroto shirumbe.
Local beverages include, mazato,
lechonapi, ventisho, siete raíces,
mistela, uvachado, chuchuhuasi, chapo,
soroashua and cortesachados.
TOURIST
CALENDAR
May 3. Velación
de la Cruz de Coca. Celebrated in Rioja with the participation
of the whole town who, accompanied by different bands, dance
in the streets.
June 24. Fiesta de
San Juan. This festivity is vivaciously celebrated throughout
the department. In the eve, women cook the juanes,
and on the 24, families go in groups to the nearest river
or lake banks to dance, drink and eat in honor of San Juan.
Last Week in June. Moyobamba
Tourist Week. Various social, recreational and cultural
activities take place in this beautiful city during that week.
Locals and visitors walk around the city enjoying the beauty
of the natural landscape.
July 14 through 20. Tarapoto
Tourist Week. Recreational and social activities with
the participation of foreign and national artists take place
during that week.
July 16. Fiesta de
la Virgen del Carmen de Lamas. The local people
organize several folkloric presentations and Corpus Christi
pageants, in gratitude to their patron. They also invite home-made
bread and typical dishes to all present.
July 25. Fiesta del
Patrón Santiago, patron of Moyobamba.
August 15. Virgen de
las Nieves, patron of Yurimaguas. The local people pay
tribute to their patron with night festivals, processions
and dances. Each quarter starts to celebrate ten days before
the actual date.
August 20. Anniversary
of the city of Tarapoto. On the previous days, the town
organizes dance festivals, parades and different types of
tournaments.
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