# Tacna

> city of Peru, capital of Tacna region

**Wikidata**: [Q272795](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272795)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tacna

## Summary
Tacna is a city in Peru and the capital of the Tacna region, serving as a major administrative and human settlement center. It is a border city characterized by its historical significance, including a period of Chilean administration from 1880 to 1929. With a population of 286,240 recorded in the 2017 census, it is also known by the aliases San Pedro de Tacna and the Heroic City of Tacna.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Tacna is located in Peru, specifically within the Tacna region and department.
- **Historical Sovereignty:** The city was part of Chile between 1880 and 1929-08-28 before returning to Peruvian administration.
- **Population:** The population was 286,240 according to the 2017 census, up from 242,670 in the 2007 census.
- **Coordinates:** The city's geographical coordinates are latitude -18.055555555556 and longitude -70.248333333333.
- **Elevation:** Tacna sits at an elevation of 552 meters above sea level.
- **Inception:** The recorded inception date is June 25, 1875.
- **Aliases:** The city is also known as San Pedro de Tacna, Ciudad Heróica de Tacna, and Heróica Ciudad de San Pedro de Tacna.
- **Patron Saint:** The patron saint of the city is Saint Peter.
- **Classification:** It is classified as a city, a border city, and a big city.
- **Capital Status:** Tacna serves as the capital of the Tacna Department and the Tacna region.
- **UN/LOCODE:** The UN/LOCODE for Tacna is PETCQ.
- **Geography:** It is located next to the Caplina River.
- **Twinning:** Tacna is twinned with the administrative body of Arica.
- **Territory Overlaps:** The city's territory overlaps with Alto de la Alianza, Ciudad Nueva, Coronel Gregorio Albarracín Lanchipa, Pocollay, and Tacna.
- **Identifiers:** It has a GeoNames ID of 3928128, a GND ID of 4792384-2, and a VIAF ID of 150104041.

## FAQs
**What is the population of Tacna?**
According to census data, Tacna had a population of 286,240 in 2017, compared to 242,670 in 2007.

**Was Tacna always part of Peru?**
No, Tacna was under Chilean control from 1880 until August 28, 1929, after which it was returned to Peru.

**What are the other names for Tacna?**
The city is referred to by several aliases, including San Pedro de Tacna, Ciudad Heróica de Tacna, and Heróica Ciudad de San Pedro de Tacna.

**Where is Tacna geographically located?**
Tacna is a border city in Peru located at coordinates -18.055555555556, -70.248333333333, situated 552 meters above sea level near the Caplina River.

**What administrative roles does Tacna serve?**
Tacna acts as the capital city for both the Tacna Department and the Tacna region.

**What is the recorded founding date of Tacna?**
The specific inception date recorded for Tacna is June 25, 1875.

## Why It Matters
Tacna holds substantial historical and geopolitical importance as a border city that experienced a complex transfer of sovereignty between Peru and Chile in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its identity as the "Heroic City" underscores its cultural resilience and national significance within Peru. As the regional capital, it functions as a critical administrative hub for surrounding districts like Alto de la Alianza and Pocollay, influencing the socio-economic dynamics of southern Peru.

## Notable For
- **Historical Occupation:** Distinguished by its history of Chilean occupation from 1880 to 1929.
- **Heroic Designation:** Recognized by the title "Ciudad Heróica" (Heroic City).
- **Patronage:** Dedicated to Saint Peter as its patron saint.
- **Border Status:** Classified specifically as a border city.
- **Documentation:** Highly documented with a sitelink count of 60 across various Wikipedia languages.
- **Twinning:** Maintains a twinned administrative relationship with Arica.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Tacna is situated in the southern part of Peru, functioning as a large human settlement and a border city. The city is located at a precise latitude of -18.055555555556 and a longitude of -70.248333333333. It rests at an elevation of 552 meters above sea level. Geographically, the city is positioned next to the Caplina River. The UN/LOCODE for the city is PETCQ. Tacna's territory overlaps with several other administrative areas, including Alto de la Alianza, Ciudad Nueva, Coronel Gregorio Albarracín Lanchipa, Pocollay, and the broader Tacna area.

### Demographics and Classification
As a big city and a major urban center, Tacna has seen population growth recorded through national censuses. In 2007, the population was determined to be 242,670. By the 2017 census, this number had risen to 286,240. The city is classified under multiple instances, including "city," "border city," and "big city." It is also the administrative center for the Tacna Department and the Tacna region.

### History and Sovereignty
The city has a distinct historical timeline marked by changes in sovereignty. While its recorded inception date is June 25, 1875, its modern history includes a significant period where it was located in Chile. This occupation lasted from 1880 until August 28, 1929. Following this period, Tacna was reincorporated into Peru. The city also served as the capital of the Tacna region during the period of Chilean administration (1883–1929) before reverting to Peruvian control.

### Cultural Identity and Symbols
Tacna possesses a rich cultural identity reflected in its various aliases. It is commonly known as San Pedro de Tacna, Ciudad Heróica de Tacna, and Heróica Ciudad de San Pedro de Tacna. The city's patron saint is Saint Peter. Visually, the city is represented by a flag image available on Wikimedia Commons and a montage image. A prominent image of the city is the Catedral Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Tacna. Tacna is also twinned with Arica, indicating a cross-border cultural or administrative relationship.

### External Identifiers and Data
Tacna is extensively cataloged in global databases and knowledge graphs. It has a GeoNames ID of 3928128 and a GND ID (Gemeinsame Normdatei) of 4792384-2. The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) lists it with ID 150104041. Other identifiers include a Freebase ID (/m/02wq3y), a BBC Things ID (27abfce0-df48-4159-9f8f-d414ac8fb2bc), and a Yale LUX ID (place/25ddf705-b388-4cb7-ae88-f3359c8d0ace). The Library of Congress assigns it the authority ID n81032567, and the National Library of Israel lists it under J9U ID 987007555050805171. It is also included in the Who's On First database (ID 421170099) and has an OpenStreetMap node ID of 4590192817.

### Academic and Encyclopedic References
The city is described by several authoritative sources. It is an entry in *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*, the *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition), and the *New International Encyclopedia*. The *Encyclopædia Britannica* online ID for the city is place/Tacna-Peru. Additionally, Tacna has an Archinform location ID of 48869 and an online PWN encyclopedia ID of 3984823. The city's presence on Wikipedia is significant, with entries in 60 different languages, ranging from English and Spanish to Arabic, Chinese, and Quechua.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [2017 Peru Census](https://www.inei.gob.pe/media/MenuRecursivo/publicaciones_digitales/Est/Lib1539/libro.pdf)
4. [2007 Peru Census](https://www.inei.gob.pe/media/MenuRecursivo/publicaciones_digitales/Est/Lib1539/libro.pdf)
5. GeoNames
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pe.htm)
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)