The Chira valley has always been an important farming area.
Before the Spanish Invasion, ethnic groups like the Tallanes, the Mochicas, the
Chimu, and finally the Incas had settled here. This region was chosen by the
Spaniards to found their first city in this part of the Americas, San Miguel de
Tangarara, on July 15, 1532. The Spaniards changed the native farming system
and created Repartimientos and Encomiendas.
Sullana was founded late in the 18th century, on July 8,
1783, by Bishop Baltazar Jaime Martinez de Compañon y Bufanda and given the
name of "El Principe"
