Tacna Region

Tacna is the southernmost region in Peru. Its name originates from the Quechua words taka (”hit”) and na (”place”), which would mean “I hit this place”. This expression is thought to be related to the Quechua conquest of the Aymara people. The regional capital is the Heroic City of Tacna.

Present-day Tacna Region was occupied by forces from neighboring Chile as a result of the War of the Pacific. Tacna was reincorporated into Peruvian sovereignty in 1929 and today it is known for being one of the most patriotic areas in the country.

Geography

The Tacna Region is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Moquegua Region on the north, the Puno Region on the northeast, the Bolivian La Paz Department on the east, and the Tarapaca Region of Chile on the south. The border between the Tacna Region and Chile is known as La Linea de la Concordia.

The region is located below the Titicaca plateau, and has a diverse geography, including volcanoes, deserts and mountainous zones, from which arise rivers that go over the punas and the plateaus, thus forming the hydrographical system of this zone. The region is small in size, but has a great mining and agriculture potential. It has various climates and a diverse production.

History

There is evidence of the presence of a very early culture that goes back more than 10 000 years. The archaeological investigations in the region have proved that a civilization dwelled in this zone in the Stone Age. The Toquepala Cave (7630 BC) and Abrigo de Caru (6240 BC) belong to this age. There are other sites such as Girata Complex, Mullini, and Quenavichinca, where investigations have not been concluded.

The first groups of Spanish conquerors arrived to the region in 1535. These groups were formed by members of the Almagro expedition, organized to conquer Chile. During this time, the city of Tacna was called Villa San Pedro de Tacna.

In 1615 and 1784 Tacna experienced violent earthquakes and many towns were reduced to ruins. However, they were rebuilt by their people who decided to stay in the same place.

Tacna has a seat of honor in the emancipation process. Since 1810, the local patriots, following the example of their Argentine neighbors, who had already declared their independence, started to conspire. In 1811, Francisco Antonio De Zela, sent forth the first libertarian outcry in Tacna.

Once the Peruvian independence was consummated, the heroism of this city was honored by promoting it to the rank of villa on 1823. In May 26, 1828, President Jose de La Mar promulgated a law given by Congress by which the city of Tacna was given the title of Ciudad Heroica (Heroic City).

During the War of the Pacific against Chile, the tacnenos placed themselves in the front line, offering their lives defending the nation.

On May 26, 1880, after the Battle of Alto de la Alianza, the Chilean army invaded the Tacna province and remained there for five decades. In spite of time, the Tacnenos kept their national pride high and, finally in 1929, the city was reincorporated to Peruvian territory.

Southern Peru was hit by a strong earthquake on June 23, 2001, causing extensive damage in the Tacna Region.

Currently, there exists controversy regarding the maritime border between Peru and Chile. The Peruvian Congress passed a law stating that it runs parallel to the land border, while Chileans argue that it is a straight line starting in the coastline.

Political division

The Tacna Region is divided into four provinces (Spanish: provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 26 districts (distritos, singular: distrito). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are:

Candarave (Candarave)
Jorge Basadre (Locumba)
Tacna (Tacna)
Tarata (Tarata)

Local customs

Typical dishes and beverages

Tacna offers visitors colorful dishes exquisitely combined and abundantly served. The picante a la Tacnena and patazca Tacnena belong to this region.

Corn and cheese, chicharrones with toasted corn, cuy or guinea pig chactado, corn cake with peanuts and raisins, baked pork, grilled lamb, are also local specialties.

To drink, Tacna has macerated Brussels apricot, frutilla or tumbo, and wines produced in the local vineyards.

Festivities

Carnivals. They are celebrated in different towns and villages with typical local dances that can go on for entire days and nights.
April - Corn and Potato Festival in Tacna.
May 1 - Fiesta de las Cruces.
May 26 - Anniversary of the Battle of Alto de la Alianza.
June 7 - Anniversary of the Battle of Arica.
June 20 - Day to remember the tacneno patriot Francisco Antonio De Zela.
June 23. Night of San Juan.
August 28. Procesion de la Bandera. A singular and moving civic patriotic act in which the women of Tacna carry the red and white Peruvian flag through the streets of the city. Later, various associations, group of students, and the armed and police forces take part in a parade that ends in the main square, where the Arch of the Heroes is located. For a week the locals celebrate the reincorporating of the Heroic City of Tacna as part of the Peruvian territory. Simultaneously, a fair on farm and livestock products, industrial goods and handicrafts takes place.