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The area was inhabited since 7600 B.C. by primitive
men, and in the nearest antiquity it was inhabited
by the tribe pre-Inca the Collaguas, and then
conquered by the Inca Mayta Capac who ordered to
found the first city, giving it the name towards
1300 B.C.
Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, Spaniard conqueror, was
the founder of the Spanish city of Arequipa in
August 15th, 1540 with the name of "Villa Hermosa de
Arequipa". During the colonial time it was favored
to be an intermediate point of the caravans that
transported the immense shipments of silver of the
rich mines of Potosi (Bolivia) towards Quilca, port
in which was sent aboard for Callao and Spain.
Arequipa is the capital of the department of
Arequipa, furrowed by the river Chili and it is
located in the slopes of the Misti Volcano, 5,822
meters above sea level (19,101 feet), and very near
to the volcanoes Chachani 6,075 meters above sea
level (19,931 feet), and the Pichupichu 5,425 meters
above sea level (17,798 feet).
Also known as the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City) for
the numerous and magnificent constructions of
temples, convents, big houses and palaces in white ashlar sculpted as filigree. It also possesses an
excellent climate with almost 300 days of sun a
year, with transparent blue sky.
Arequipa also offers an exquisite cuisine, beautiful
landscapes of countryside, majestic volcanoes, the
Colca Valley, challenges and adventures in Colca
Canyon, natural reservations, and the heat of
friendly people willing to make the tourist enjoy
their visit to Arequipa.
Arequipa is the second larger city of the country
and the most important of the south of Peru,
constitutes the main pole of economic development
due to their multiple resources and to their
irrigation projects that favor mainly to the
agriculture and the cattle raising; industry of milk
products and leathers. It has a modern hotel
infrastructure.
Visiting Arequipa
Historical
Centre of the City of Arequipa
Cultural World Heritage Site by
UNESCO. Arequipa conserves one of the best
architectural treasures in the colonial time of
Peru, expressed maybe in the best way in its temples
and religious convents and beautiful elegant
large-houses in colonial-mestizo architecture. The
ornamented architecture in the historic centre of
Arequipa represents a masterpiece of the creative
integration of European and native characteristics,
crucial for the cultural expression of the entire
region.
Museums
Museo de Arte Virreinal (Virreinal Art Museum),
Museo Arqueológico de la Universidad Católica de
Santa María (Archaeological Museum of the Santa
Maria Catholic University), Archaeological Museum of
the National University of San Agustín, Santury
Museum - Juanita Mummy's collection, Municipal City
Museum.
Areas around the city
Towns of beautiful landscapes and some with
beautiful churches and colonial monuments,
large-houses, with magnificent view of the
countryside, and towns with medicinal watering
places of spring water. Recommended visit to Mirador
Carmen del Alto, Yanahuara, Sachaca, Tingo, Mansion
del Fundador, Sabandia Mill and Paucarpata.
The
Countryside
(La Campiña) The agricultural area of the periphery
of the city is embodied in beautiful picturesque
landscapes, in which numerous towns are located
described in "Areas around the City." It is as a
great chessboard in different degrees of green and
with the Incan system of sowing in "andenerías". The
countryside of Arequipa has been a inexhaustible
source of inspiration for artists and poets.
The
Colca Valley:
Its the most popular excursion from Arequipa.
Valley, formed by the Colca river in which side
banks exists a great beauty scene, hot springs, and
enormous cultural attractiveness where you will have
an encounter with the descendants of the Collaguas.
Special place to appreciate a Living Culture.
Tourism of Adventure:
The 100 km long Colca Canyon, the deepest on the
Earth, besides landscapes of indescribable beauty,
is one of the best sceneries in the world for
rafting, canoeing, trekking, and for the lovers of
extreme adventure. Also for hiking lovers, they have
the possibility to get to the high and snowy crater
of the volcanoes Misti and Chachani.
Nature
& Biodiversity in Arequipa:
National Reserve Salinas and Aguada Blanca for the
protection of high mountain species - in route to
Colca Valley. The National Sanctuary of Mejia
Lagoons area protected for migratory birds.
The
Valley of the Volcanoes:
Geologic formation from the Quaternary Era, with
more than 80 volcanoes in magnificent landscape that
looks like a moony landscape.
Source:
Go2Peru.com
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