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Chimbote Area, Peru May 1997. The west central coast of Peru north of Lima
offers of a variety of peninsulas and small bays. The narrow coastal plains
are covered with light-colored, sandy soils that strongly contrast with
the Pacific Ocean. The only breaks in this desert landscape are where the
river valleys or channels provide sufficient water for irrigated agriculture.
Three distinct (darker textured) agricultural areas are observed here. The
largest is located inland from the urban area of the seaport city of Chimbote
(located along the northern shore of the second largest bay). Two extensive
areas of cultivated field patterns are also observed along the floodplains
of the Rio Nepena and Rio Casma, respectively, reaching the coast further
south. The western slopes of the Andes Mountains are visible along the bottom
of the image.
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