This is a place where people don’t need umbrellas or raincoats because it has hardly seen rain for 600 years. Many wonder, with a place like this, how can over 8 million people still live here?
Lima is the capital of the Republic of Peru. This city is rich in Spanish culture, featuring many famous Catholic architectural works, including the Cathedral built in the 16th century and the National University of Saint Marcos.
Lima, the strange city that hasn’t seen rain for 600 years. (Photo: Skyticket).
This is the second largest city in South America, with a population of about 8 million. However, the most remarkable point is that Lima has the least rainfall of any city in the world. The annual rainfall here is only about 10 to 15 mm, earning it the title of “the city without rain.” This figure is even less than one-fifth of the average rainfall in the Sahara Desert—one of the driest regions in the world.
Throughout the year, Lima experiences no thunderstorms, ice, snow, or severe storms. Strangely, this has persisted for the past 600 years.
In this “city without rain”, visitors won’t find storm drains on the streets. Houses even lack roofs. This is due to the climatic characteristics of Lima, which is defined by its year-round dry weather and mild climate. Furthermore, umbrellas and raincoats are rarely needed here. Many locals have never even seen rain in their entire lives.
This city is rich in Spanish culture. (Photo: WK).
With over 8 million residents, how do they survive in a place where it doesn’t rain?
According to meteorological experts, the reason for the 600 years without rain is its geographical location. The city is primarily located on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains—the highest mountain range in South America.
Here, the air descends, with predominant winds blowing parallel to sea level. The coastal air interacts with cold waters, and the cold air currents block it from condensing into precipitation clouds. Therefore, it cannot produce rain. Instead, moisture only creates fog. Because of this, Lima is not arid; on the contrary, it is very humid due to the high levels of moisture.
The description of “rain” in this city is also quite unique. It does not fall as droplets or showers but rather as a thick layer of fog that envelops the city, condensing on the damp ground.
Although it doesn’t rain, the climate here is mild and has lush vegetation. (Photo: Travel).
Even without rain, the climate here remains cool year-round. The coldest temperatures are around 16 degrees Celsius, while the hottest do not exceed 23 degrees, with all seasons resembling spring.
To obtain drinking water, the residents source water from the Aprikh River, which is formed by the melting snow and ice from the Andes Mountains. Additionally, due to its proximity to the sea and the Remark River, the city has abundant groundwater, preventing water shortages or drought. Not only is there enough water for daily use, but it also supports the lush vegetation.
Therefore, tourists visiting this city should never ask to buy raincoats or umbrellas!
