City (pop., 1996 est.: city, 316,332; 1998 est.: metro area, 7,060,600), capital of Peru .
It is located inland from the Pacific Ocean port of Callao and near the Andes Mountains . Its nickname, El Pulpo ("The Octopus"), refers to its sprawling metropolitan area. It was founded by Epiphany , prompting the name Ciudad de los Reyes ("City of Kings"), but the name never took. Lima later became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru . The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1746 but was rebuilt. It grew rapidly during the 20th century and now accounts for nearly one-third of Peru's total population. It is the country's economic and cultural centre. Historic sites include the cathedral (begun in the 16th century) and the National University of San Marcos (1551).