AREQUIPA

Arequipa is the capital and largest city of the Arequipa Region and the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru. It is
Peru's second most populous city with 861,145 inhabitants, as well as its third most populous metropolitan area according
to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) [2]

Arequipa is the second most industrialized[3] and commercialized city in Peru.[4] Its industrial activity includes
manufactured goods and camelid wool products for export. The city has close trade ties with Chile, Bolivia and Brazil.

The city was founded on August 15, 1540, by Garc Manuel de Carbajal as "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Seora de la
Asuncin". During the Colonial period, Arequipa became highly important for its economic prosperity [4] and for its loyalty
to the Spanish Crown.[5]

After Peru gained its independence from Spain in 1821, Arequipa acquired greater political significance,[6] and was
declared the capital city of Peru from 1835 to 1883.[7][8]

The historic center of Arequipa spans an area of 332 hectares [9] and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10] Its historic
heritage, natural scenery and cultural sites make the city a major tourist destination. Its religious, colonial, and republican
architectural styles blend European and native characteristics[11] into a unique style called "Escuela Arequipea

History
Evidence of pre-Inca settlement by indigenous peoples from the Lake Titicaca area leads some scholars to think the Aymara
people first named the city (ari means peak and quipa means lying behind in Aymara; hence, Arequipa is the place lying
behind the peak of El Misti). However, another oft-heard legend says that the fourth Inca, Mayta Capac, was traveling
through the valley and became enchanted by it. He ordered his retinue to stop, saying, Ari, quipay, which translates as Yes,
stay. The Spaniards refounded the city on August 15, 1540, and the date is remembered with a week-long fair.
Unfortunately, Arequipa is built in an area highly prone to natural disasters; the city was totally destroyed by earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions in 1600 and has since been rocked by major earthquakes in 1687, 1868, 1958, 1960 and, most recently,
in 2001. For this reason, many of the citys buildings are built low for stability. However, despite these disasters, many
fetching historic structures survive

Geography

Location[edit]

The city is located at 2,328 metres (7,638 ft) of elevation above sea level, with the lowest part of the city being at 2,041
metres (6,696 ft) above sea level in the area called Huayco Uchumayo while the highest is located at 2,810 metres
(9,220 ft) above sea level.

The central part of the city is crossed by the Chili River from north to south; to the north and east of Arequipa are the
Andes mountains, while to the south and west there are minor mountain ranges associated to the Andes. The valley of
Arequipa, open toward the coast, plays a key role in allowing Arequipa to be a city that strategically links the coastal and
highland regions of southern Peru.[50] Partial view of Arequipa, with Misti volcano in the background.

A series of volcanic cones dominate the city skyline. These are: Misti, and the extinct volcanic groups Pikchu
Pikchu andChachani. The western slopes of the Andes in the region feature thick layers of volcanic lava that cover large
areas.[51]
Climate[edit]

The climate of the city is predominantly dry in winter, autumn and spring due to the low atmospheric moisture and an
effective precipitation corresponding to that of a cool desert climate (BWk, according to the Kppen climate
classification). Arequipa has also 300 days of sunshine a year on average. Throughout the year, temperatures do not
exceed 25 C (77 F) and rarely drop below 5 C (41 F). The wet season lasts from December to March and is marked by
the presence of clouds in the afternoon and low rainfall. In winter (June, July), weather gets a little cooler and the low
temperature drops to an average of 6 C (43 F).

The average relative humidity is 46%, with an average high of 70% in the summer season and a minimum average of 27%
during autumn, winter and spring, according to data from the weather station at Goyeneche Hospital. [52]

The winds are influenced by a system of local winds and the passage of frontal systems of low atmospheric pressure, which
are conditioned by the topographical surrounding the valley where the city is. These winds occur mainly in the evening
and early morning; mountain breezes flow in a north-east direction and in the course of the day valley breezes dominate
with a South-West direction. The wind velocity along the day fluctuates between 1.5 m / s and 2.5 m / s.[52]
Arequipa Attractions

Plaza de Armas & Cathedral

Arequipa's Plaza de Armas is one of the most beautiful in Peru. On the north side of the Plaza is the impressive, twin-
towered Cathedral, founded in 1612 and largely rebuilt in the 19th Century having been repeatedly damaged by
earthquakes and fire. Inside is fine Belgian organ and elaborately-carved wooden pulpit. The Plaza is surrounded on its
other 3 sides by colonial arcaded buildings with many cafes and restaurants. Behind the Cathedral is a pretty back street
with many handicraft shops.

Santa Catalina Convent

Santa Catalina 301. Open daily 9am - 5pm, last admission 4pm. Entrance fee
US$7.50 www.santacatalina.org.pe
The Monasterio de Santa Catalina is the most astonishing site in Arequipa. It was
opened to the public in 1970 after 400 years as a cloister. The convent has been
beautifully refurbished with period furniture and paintings. Behind the closed
doors the nuns, daughters of aristocrats, paid little heed to the vows of poverty
and silence. Each had her own servant and dined with porcelain plates, fine
tablecloths and silver cutlery.
The convent is a complete miniature walled colonial town in the middle of the
city. There are flower filled gardens, spacious patios, granite fountains as well as
arches and narrow streets. The tile-roofed buildings are painted in traditional
white, brown and blue. About 20 nuns still live in a section of the convent, which once housed up to 500.

Climbing El Misti Volcano

The two or three day climb to the top of this active volcano (5830m) can be hard work due to the thin air but any relatively
fit, acclimatized trekker should be able to do it without too many problems. The El Misti climb, in fact, one of the easiest
ascents of any mountain of this size in the world. Should not be attempted without a guide and the proper equipment
such as crampons. >> more info >>

Museo Santuarios Andinos (Andean Sanctuaries Museum)

La Merced 110. Open Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 09:00-17:00. Entrance fee
US$5 www.ucsm.edu.pe/santury/
Entrance fee includes a 1 hour guided tour (tip the guide). The museum contains the
famous mummy "Juanita - the Ice Princess" who was discovered in 1995 just below the
peak of the Ampato mountain. Juanita had been well preserved in ice for more than 500
years before volcanic activity melted the surrounding snow. This Inca girl, tightly wrapped
in textiles, must have been ritually sacrificed and buried on the mountain peak.

Colca Canyon
Most people who visit Arequipa take a tour out to the Caon de Colca, one of the worlds
deepest canyons formed by an enormous seismic fault between the Coropuna (6425m) and
Ampato (6325m) volcanoes. >> more info >>

Cotahuasi Canyon
Cotahuasi Canyon is even deeper than Colca and even more spectacular. Due to its remoteness trekking in this area can
be quite demanding so its safer to organize with a guide and specialist trekking company. Allow at least 7 days to explore
the canyon and its picturesque villages.