Callao

Callao is a seaside city and constitutional province in Peru, located next to the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Lima metropolitan area alongside Lima province. The city has autonomous status since 1836, when it was declared a Littoral Province of the Peru–Bolivian Confederation, and later became a Constitutional Province in 1857.

Callao is very important as Peru's main seaport and home to Jorge Chávez International Airport. The city was founded in 1537 by the Spaniards and has a long history as a key naval port in Spanish America and the Pacific, serving as a vital town during the Viceroyalty of Peru. Central Callao lies about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the Historic Centre of Lima.

Etymology

The name of the city and province of Callao comes from a Spanish word used by sailors, callao, which means a small pebble. Today, people use the word guijarro instead. Some people thought the name might have come from Native languages like Quechua or Aymara, but others believe it has European roots.

Historians and writers, like Ricardo Palma, explored different ideas about the name’s origin. They looked at words from Native languages such as calla (coast) or chalhua (to fish), and also European terms used by fishermen. Over time, the city became known simply as Callao.

Before it was called Callao, the port had many other names, such as Puerto de Santa María and Puerto de La Mar. The name Callao de la Mar was first used in 1558, and by 1586, it was called Puerto del Callao. People who live in Callao are called chalacos, which comes from the Quechua word Chala, meaning coast.

History

The oldest signs of people living in Callao go back more than 10,000 years and are found on Chivateros Hill. During the time before the Inca Empire, many groups lived in the area, mostly fishing.

In the mid-1400s, the Inca Empire took control of Callao. One important place there was the Inca Palace of Oquendo.

The Spanish settled in Callao in 1535. Later that year, the city of Lima was founded nearby. In 1555, the first Spanish neighborhood began to grow.

Because it was the main port of the Viceroyalty of Peru, it often faced attacks. In 1579, English pirate Francis Drake attacked, and in 1624, the Dutchman Jacques l'Hermite did the same. To protect the city, the Spanish built walls between 1634 and 1647. In 1747, construction began on the Real Felipe Fortress.

Callao became very important for trade. Most goods from parts of Peru and nearby areas traveled by mule to Callao to be shipped to Panama, then to Spain.

A big earthquake and tsunami in 1746 destroyed much of Callao. Only 200 of the 5,000 people survived. After this, a new town called Bellavista was built farther inland, but many still lived by the sea.

During the fight for Peru’s independence, Callao was very important. The Real Felipe Fortress changed hands several times. After Peru won independence, Callao became an autonomous province in 1836.

In 1857, it became a Constitutional Province, meaning it had special self-governing status.

In the 1800s, railways were built connecting Callao to Lima. By 1860, Callao had Peru’s first fire company.

In 1866, a battle happened near Callao between Spanish and Peruvian forces.

During the War of the Pacific in 1881, Chilean troops took over Callao and the Peruvian fleet was scuttled.

In 2014, Mi Perú became a new district of Callao. In 2022, an oil spill affected the area after a volcanic eruption in Tonga caused big waves.

Politics

Local government in Callao is split into two parts. Big regional issues are managed by the Regional Government of Callao, based near the Jorge Chávez International Airport. Smaller city matters, like cleaning and sports, are taken care of by the Provincial Municipality of Callao, located in the Callao District. Each of the six districts also has its own local government to handle problems in their area.

Since 2023, the mayor of Callao has been Pedro Spadaro. The mayor works for both the province and the district.

Subdivisions

Callao is made up of seven districts, each with its own mayor.

The Callao Region also includes islands such as San Lorenzo, El Frontón, Cavinzas, and Palomino. Together, these islands cover an area of 17.63 km² (6.81 sq mi).

Geography

Callao is built on and around the Peninsula of La Punta, where the district of the same name is located. The peninsula separates the bays of Miraflores and Callao.

Islands

Callao has several islands: San Lorenzo (currently a military base), El Frontón, the Cavinzas Islands, and the Palomino Islands, where many sea lions and sea birds live in a nearly untouched ecosystem. There are plans to build a large naval, land, and air port on San Lorenzo Island. This project is called the San Lorenzo Megaport Project.

Culture

Callao is a special seaside city in Peru that celebrates its independence from Lima every August 20. Unlike other cities, it does not mark a specific founding day.

The city has many important places, such as a historical fortress called the Castillo de Real Felipe, which looks over the harbor. Callao is also home to a large naval base, Jorge Chávez International Airport, and the Leoncio Prado Military Academy. There is also a university known as the National University of Callao.

Demographics

Crime

Callao is known as one of the safer cities in Peru, though it still faces challenges with crime. The city is an important port and has seen efforts from the government and local communities to keep it secure. While some public events have had to deal with unexpected disturbances, ongoing initiatives aim to improve safety for everyone.

Transportation

Airport

Jorge Chávez International Airport, also called Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez in Spanish, is the biggest airport in Peru for both international and domestic flights. It is located in the Callao district, about 12 kilometers northwest of the Historic Center of Lima. In 2008, the airport served over 8 million passengers. It was expanded in 2025 with a new terminal, which can now handle up to 40 million passengers each year. The old terminal has been turned into a place for storing and moving goods.

The airport used to be a main place for old airlines like Aeroperú and Compañía de Aviación Faucett. Today, it is a busy spot for many airlines including Sky Airline Peru, Atsa Airlines, JetSmart Perú, Star Perú, and LATAM Perú.

Rail

The port of Callao has a train system that uses standard gauge tracks and is part of the Ferrocarril Central Andino. These trains go from Lima to Huancayo. Right now, the train station in Callao is not used for passengers but for moving cargo instead.

Notable people

Callao is proud of many talented people who have made their mark. Alexander Callens, born in 1992, is a well-known Peruvian footballer. Luciana Fuster, born in 1999, is a Peruvian model, television personality, and was Miss Grand International in 2023. Mario Montalbetti, born in 1953, is a respected Peruvian syntactician and linguistics professor. Claudio Pizarro, born in 1978, holds the record as the highest-scoring Latin American player in the history of the Bundesliga. Nolberto Solano, born in 1974, is a Peruvian footballer and manager. Yma Sumac, who lived from 1922 to 2008, was a famous Peruvian musician. Jhoao Ward, born in 1989, is another Peruvian footballer from Callao.