Cajamarca, city in northern Peru, capital of Cajamarca Department and Province. Cajamarca lies in a rich agricultural area and is the most important trade and administrative center in the northern Peruvian Andes. Cajamarca is connected by road to the Amazon Basin and the Pacific coast, and is served by an airport. Cajamarca has many colonial houses and buildings, including the Church of Santa Catalina and the San Francisco Belén Church, as well as the site where the Inca Emperor Atahualpa was held prisoner after his ambush and capture here by Spanish invaders in 1532. There are numerous Inca ruins nearby. Thermal baths near the city have been used for centuries. The National Technical University (1962) is located in Cajamarca. Population (1998 estimate) 108,009.
