Piura, situated in northwestern Peru and bordered by Ecuador to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west, boasts South America's westernmost point and the lowest point in the Southern Tropics. Its unique geography is defined by the convergence of the cold Humboldt Current and warm El Niño Current, resulting in both tropical and arid conditions, exemplified by the Sechura Desert, one of the world’s few tropical deserts. The region features a diverse landscape, including savannah-like scrub, stunning beaches, and small valleys with typical tropical climates, ideal for rice and coconut cultivation. Piura has a rich cultural history, with the Yungas, Vicús, Mochicas, and Incas leaving their mark before the Spanish established Piura as their third city in South America. This rich history has fostered a vibrant mix of mestizo, creole, and indigenous cultures. The name Piura, meaning "abundance" in Quechuan, reflects its fertile lands, while its current nickname, "The city of eternal heat," underscores its consistently hot climate.