Junín is a city in Central Peru, serving as the capital of Junín Province within the Department of Junín. It is situated on the southern shore of Lake Junín at an elevation of 4,107 metres (13,474 ft), making it one of the highest cities in the country.
The settlement was founded in 1539 under the name Town of Kings. It remained a town for several centuries before being elevated to city status by Law No. 9834 on October 27, 1943, during the presidency of Manuel Prado Ugarteche.
Its location beside Lake Junín, a large Andean lake, is the city's defining geographic feature. The high altitude and position in the central Peruvian highlands shape its climate and setting.