Udima

Udima is located on the headwaters of one of the tributaries of the Zaña River which flows to the Pacific Ocean.^[3] The Andes rise only to relatively low elevations near Udima. In most areas of Peru the cold, dry temperatures of the high Andes result in different species of flora and fauna in the humid, tropical Amazon rainforest to the east and the much drier western slopes of the Andes. The low elevations in the Udima region allow plants and animals characteristic of the Amazon to also flourish on the western side of the Andes. This unique biosystem is protected in the Bosques Nublados de Udima Wildlife Refuge. Sub-tropical forests with many Amazonian species are found in the refuge at elevations of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) and higher on the western slopes of the Andes. Below that elevation on the western slope, precipitation is too low for Amazonian species to thrive.^[4]

Udima has a highland Csb climate (sub-tropical, dry and mild summers) in the Köppen climate classification system and a Csll climate (sub-tropical, dry summer, mild temperatures in every month) in the Trewartha climate classification system. Average maximum daily temperatures vary only about 2 degrees C (4 degrees F) between the warmest and coldest months. Precipitation is greatest from February through April. June to September are dry months.

The archaeological site of Poro Poro is located about 8 km (5.0 miles) northeast of Udima near the hamlet of the same name (also known as La Grada). Archaeologist Walter Alva first excavated the ruin in 1979 and dated it to the pre-Chavin era about 1,500 BCE. The extensive site features rocks carved into "pulpits and "thrones," monumental columns, a sunken plaza, and subterranean canals.^[6]

In the 19th century, Udima was part of the extensive estate of Miguel Iglesias (1830–1909) who became President of Peru. In 1920, the Iglesias family sold the Hacienda Udima, consisting of 40,000 ha (99,000 acres), to the "Widow of Piedra and children." In the 1970s and 1980s the government's agrarian reform program distributed much of the land belonging to the hacienda to 512 resident farmers who formed a cooperative. Most of the land has since been converted into privately owned, small and medium-sized farms.^[7][8]