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Illescas is apeninsula in northwesternPeru. It forms the southern boundary of theSechura Bay, the largest bay in Peru. Sechura Bay also includes the northernmost portion of thePacific Ocean that is under the influence of the Peru-Chile orHumboldt Current. The Illescas Peninsula is located in the department ofPiura, and is scarcely inhabited. Part of Illescas was declared a reserved zone.[1] Illescas is also the name given to the highest point of the peninsula (500 m.), the Cerro Illescas.
The Peninsula and Cerro Illescas are located more than 150 km west of the Andes, in the middle of a flatland desert, theSechura Desert. The cerro is a series of small hills (up to 500 m. in elevation) interspersed by narrow and short valleys formed during rare rain events. Vegetation cover is extremely reduced in the peninsula, and only a few shrub and tree species grow in the area, especiallymesquite trees and shrubs locally known aszapote. An endemic species of fox, theSechura fox is found in the peninsula. Along the coast, and at its westernmost point, there are colonies ofsea lions,blue-footed boobies andHumboldt penguins.
The only human settlement of the Illescas Peninsula is the fishermen town ofBayovar.
5°55′32″S81°02′50″W / 5.92556°S 81.04722°W /-5.92556; -81.04722
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