PAITA, or PAYTA, a town of Peru, in the department
of Truxillo. It stands on a bay of the same name, situat-
ed in 5. 2. of south latitude. A hard sandy beach extends
round the harbour, which is completely sheltered from all
prevailing winds. The port is a rendezvous for American
whale-ships. It is the seaport of Piura, fourteen leagues
in the interior, and carries on a considerable coasting trade.
The exports from Paita are cinchona, rhathany, silver, and
wool. This town has suffered as much from the invasions
of the buccaneers as any port of the Pacific. It was also
burned by Lord Anson in 1741, and by Lord Cochrane in
1810; yet the importance of its position has always led to
its reconstruction. The population amounts to about 3000.