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The history of Marcona acquires relevance from the middle of the 20th century (1953), when the exploitation of iron ore in the Marcona deposits and the construction of the shipping dock in San Juan Bay by the mining company began. American Marcona Mining Company. However, it is important to mention that archaeological remains have been found in the areas of San Nicolás and San Fernando, which suggests the presence of ancient Peruvians in these desert areas.



There were also numerous marine accidents in Marcona, especially the shipwreck of the BAP Rímac (1855), with more than five hundred people perishing, only about twenty surviving, including the Peruvian writer Ricardo Palma. Thirty years later the Italian ocean liner ´´Italia´ was shipwrecked nearby. ´, a national bergatin was lost in that area at the beginning of the 20th century.





San Juan de Marcona. View of the Workers' Union, in the background Marcona Municipal Stadium. In 1870, the Italian scholar Antonio Raimondi made public the existence of an iron deposit in the Marcona pampas, years later in 1915 the first explorations in the area began, the local Justo Pastor guided the group of engineers to some pampas where there was reference to the existence of iron. In 1925 the government of President Augusto B. Leguía declared Marcona a National Reserve, for its future exploitation.



In the first decades of the 20th century, several fishermen from the Pisco and Callao areas were attracted by the abundance of fish and shellfish to the bays of San Nicolás and San Juan, giving rise to the formation of small fishing coves.



In 1943, the Peruvian State created the Corporación Peruana del Santa, for the exploitation of coal and iron resources, and the establishment of a steel factory in Chimbote. After the enormous iron reserves in Marcona were verified, a group of American companies formed the North American mining company Marcona Mining Company, starting the formation of the small camp around the port of San Juan.



After a few years of formation, the small camp is gaining importance and on May 2, 1955, by law No. 12314 resolved by the Congress of the Republic of Peru, the district of Marcona is created, from that date to the present it has been made the urban growth of the city of San Juan de Marcona is notorious. By 1961 Marcona had an urban population of 7,172 inhabitants, in 1972 15,831 inhabitants; in 1981 18,321; in 1990 it had a population of approximately 23,000 inhabitants; in 1993 13,253 inhab. (Note clearly a decrease of almost half the population); for 2007 it is estimated that it will exceed 20,000 inhabitants.



During the military government of General Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975) the Marcona deposit was nationalized and the state iron company of Peru, HIERRO PERÚ, was created, being in charge of the administration, production and commercialization of the mineral for 17 years.



In 1992, the Government of Alberto Fujimori privatized the state company, which is awarded to the Shougang Corporation of China, which until now exploits and markets the deposit and iron ore.



On November 12, 1996, a 7.1 ° earthquake occurred on the southern coast of Peru, mainly affecting the province of Nazca, northern Arequipa and the southern highlands of Ayacucho, the epicenter was located 25 kilometers southwest of the city of Marcona, seriously affecting the infrastructure of houses and public and private buildings in the town, there were no victims to regret.



In recent years, there have been various conflicts between mining workers and the transnational China motivated by low wages and poor working conditions, a situation that manifests itself from time to time.



For 2010 the construction and start of the Petrochemical industry in Marcona are expected, they are two companies qualified by the Peruvian State to start the petrochemical development, the companies are the American CF Industries and the Australian Orica, which will produce fertilizers, nitrate and ammonium. In 2013 the operation of both plants is estimated.











The Peruvian city of Marcona is a mining and port town, the first and only iron ore producer in the Republic of Peru. Also known as the Capital of Iron and Cradle of the Humboldt Penguin on the coast of Peru.

Its capital is Puerto San Juan de Marcona.



Located on the southern coast of Peru 530 kilometers south of the city of Lima. It is included in the Marcona District, Nazca Province, Ica Region. It limits by the north with the Province of Nazca; to the south with the Province of Caravelí (Arequipa Region); to the east with the Lucanas Province (Ayacucho Region) and to the west with the Mar de Grau.







tourism



The beautiful coastal landscapes stand out; with spectacular bays; impressive points, as well as beautiful and varied beaches to enjoy in the summer months; highlighting the beaches La Lobera, Yanyarina and La Libertad, to mention a few; ideal for Ecotourism, undoubtedly an untapped tourist potential.



Marcona Beaches



Enumeration from north to south of the main and best-known beaches of the town, except for the last two that have the category of spas.



Beautiful beach

Horseshoe

Acapulco

The Penguins

The Lions

Barranquito

The Lobera

Punta Colorada

Three sisters



Spas



Yanyarina

Freedom

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