Lima is the capital of Peru and the capital of the Lima Province, with a population of about 8.85 million and an area of about 2,672 square kilometers. It is Peru's national political, economic, cultural and transportation center, and is known as "the richest and most beautiful city in South America". The city has magnificent architecture, many squares, churches, museums, the oldest National University of San Marcos in South America which is founded in 1551, and the ancient city of Lima is one of the United Nations World Heritage Sites.