LA LIBERTAD

also called Libertad, departamento (formed 1821) and regin, northern Peru. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Cordillera Central of the Andes in the east. The northward-flowing Maran River has cut a narrow canyon between the cordilleras Occidental and Central. Once the home of the Mochica and Chim culturesrenowned for their ceramics, irrigation works, and vast urban centres such as Chan Chanthe area was eventually incorporated into the Inca empire. During the colonial era (15331821) it was of political, commercial, and ecclesiastical importance. It was the first departamento to proclaim independence from Spain. Economic activity and population are concentrated in the irrigated coastal river valleys, especially around the capital, Trujillo (q.v.), and its port, Salaverry. Cotton, rice, and coffee are principal crops, but La Libertad is best known for its sugarcane production. In the mountains cereals, corn (maize), and potatoes are cultivated, and cattle and sheep are grazed. La Libertad has good transportation facilities; agricultural areas are linked by rail and highway to refineries and seaports. Roads penetrate the interior, and the Pan-American Highway runs the length of the coast. Area 9,873 square miles (25,570 square km). Pop. (1997 est.) 1,390,568. city, southwestern El Salvador. Its open roadstead port as well as its location south of San Salvador encouraged La Libertad's development in the 19th century as a shipping outlet for balsam produced in Perua variety of balsam yielded from El Salvador's coastal forests. During the early 20th century La Libertad was one of the nation's largest ports, but in 1976 it was closed to international commercial traffic. It remains an important fishing port. Agriculture (livestock raising, sugarcane, and cotton) and beach-resort facilities augment fishing as important economic activities. Pop. (1985 est.) 12,675.