Peru

Arequipa	Arequipa	Arequipa	Arequipa	Arequipa
Ig.Compañia	Recoleta	Recoleta	Arequipa	Arequipa
San Francisco	Ballestas	Ballestas	Paracas	Paracas
Huacachina	Huacachina	Huacachina	Huacachina	Huacachina
Huacachina	Huacachina	Huacachina	Huacachina	Pisco

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Arequipa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arequipa is the most important city of southern Peru and the nation's second-largest city. It is the capital of the Arequipa region. The city stands at the foot of the snow-capped volcano El Misti, in the sierra. Arequipa has many fine colonial-era Spanish buildings built of sillar, a pearly white volcanic rock used extensively in the construction of the city, from which it gets its nickname La Ciudad Blanca ("the white city"). The city is located at an altitude of 2,380 meters (7740 feet) above sea level, in the Peruvian Andes.

Archaeological findings indicate the fertile valley in which 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 Tahuantinsuyu. The modern city of Arequipa was founded on 15 August 1540, by Garci Manuel de Carbajal, an emissary of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The city's name comes from the Quechua phrase "Ari, quepay" which means "Yes, stay".

Arequipa remained relatively isolated during colonial and early republican times, but that changed in 1870 when a railroad to the coastal port of Tacna was inaugurated, opening trade via the Pacific Ocean. It has remained the center of commerce between Lima and all of Southern 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 (1879 – 1883) with Chile.

The city has two principal universities — the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, the local state university in Arequipa (founded 1828), and the Universidad Católica de Santa María (founded in 1961).

Being the second largest city in Peru, it is influenced by both Andalusian and Spanish Colonial ideas and architecture, such as the popular Santa Catalina Monastery, the Goyeneche Palace and the Casa del Moral. Arequipa has many valuable archaeological and touristy resources including the Cotahuasi Valley, which has a canyon that is the deepest one in the world.

UNESCO has declared the historical center of Arequipa a World Heritage Site, stating the following:

"The historical center of Arequipa is an example of ornamented architecture, represents a masterpiece of the creative coalition of European and native characteristics. A colonial town challenged by the conditions of nature, the indigenous influences, the conquest process and evangelism as well as for a spectacular natural scenario."

On 23 June 2001, Arequipa was badly damaged by an earthquake of 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Ballestas Island at Paracas National Park

Paracas National Park and the Ballestas Islands, known as the Little Galapagos , for their abundant marine life, such as seals, cormorants , penguins and many sea birds, some endemic to this region , like the Inca Turn.

Huacachina

The attractive oasis of Huacachina set amidst impressive sand dunes about 5 km (3 miles) away from Ica. It is a small lake with medicinal water, make you think you are in the Sahara. You can walk around, swim and relax. When you feel adventurous, you can "sandboard" off the sand dunes, or take a walk in the sand desert. Be sure you don't get lost for all you will see is sand.

Book Hostel in Ica

Cheap Hostels in Ica and Huacachina (Peru)
Hostal El Bulevard Independencia, 258 Tel. 034-232-111 Ica	Hostal Sol de Oro La Mar, 371 Tel. 034-233-735 Ica
Casa Rocha Next to the Chapel Tel. 34-222-256 Huacachina	Casa La Arena Tel. 34-215-439 Pool and bar Huacachina

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