Arequipa - City of Peru

Arequipa is the capital of the Arequipa Region in southern Peru. Arequipa lies in the Andes mountains, at an altitude of 2,380 meters above sea level; the snow-capped volcano El Misti overlooks the city. The city has many colonial-era Spanish buildings built of sillar, a pearly white volcanic rock, from which it gets the nickname La Ciudad Blanca. The historic centre of Arequipa was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000, in recognition of its architecture and historic integrity.

Arequipa is dry and sunny all year long. During August, the weather gets slightly cold at night and at dawn, but the mornings and afternoons are warmed by bright sunshine. Generally speaking, the weather in Arequipa is mild with temperatures fluctuating between 10 and 24°C. The rainy season lasts from January to March, but rainfall is moderate.

Archaeological findings indicate the fertile valley where Arequipa is situated has been occupied back to 5000–6000 BCE. In the 15th century, the region, then occupied by Aymara Indians, was conquered by the Inca and served as an important supplier of agrarian products to the Inca Empire. The modern city of Arequipa was founded on 15 August 1540, by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, an emissary of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Arequipas' first mayor was D. Juan de la Torre y Díaz Chacón, one of the most important conquistadores and founders of Peru.

Arequipa served as a bastion of nationalism during Peru's struggle for independence from Spain in the early 19th century. Later, it served as a rallying point during the War of the Pacific with Chile.

Villages from pre-Incan times are still in use today by many farmers. Some of these farmers are from the districts of Chilina, Socabaya, Paucarpata, Characato, and Sabandia.

Arequipa has experienced many earthquakes. It was almost destroyed by one in 1868 (more of 10,000 killed), and on June 23, 2001, Arequipa was badly damaged by an earthquake of 7.9 on the Richter scale.

In June 2002, Arequipa was completely paralyzed for a week by strikes and riots in protest of the privatization of two regional electricity-generating plants.

The city has had many universities. The most recognized are the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, the local state university, the Universidad Católica de Santa María, the Universidad Católica de San Pablo, and the Universidad Alas Peruanas. These are private institutions.

Arequipa lies in the so-called South Tour Corridor of Peru, which includes the cities of Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, as well as the Inca Trail. It's also called "the city where the volcanoes rest" because it's surrounded by three impressive volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and PichuPichu. Volcanoes are visible from almost every place from the city. Unlike the other cities in the corridor, Arequipa is a well-conserved sample of the Spaniard and "mestizo" culture, but not native Indian culture, providing an important cultural landmark for those who visit it.

The Historic centre of Arequipa, keeps most of the important buildings from the Spaniard era. They are all built in volcanic sillar rock, and the whole complex represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust walls, archways and vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.

Following Puente Bolognesi street and starting from the Main Square, a well-kept complex of buildings called "Tambos" have been recovered and arranged. They are populated buildings, used in the colonial era as hostels. Their current occupants have a deal with the city authority that permits visitors to enter to these living museums and imagine the everyday life of locals 400 years ago. Several Tambos are available; the most important are "La Cabezona" and "Tambo de Bronce".

After visiting the Tambos, one can follow the street and cross the oldest bridge of the city and, in those days, the main entrance.