Arequipa Map

Description:

---

Description:

---

Arequipa is the second-largest city in Peru and the capital of the Arequipa Region. Located in the southwestern part of the country, it sits at an elevation of 7,661 feet (2,335 meters) above sea level at the foot of the dormant stratovolcano El Misti. The city was founded on August 15, 1540, by Spanish conquistador Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, who named it "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción."

The historic center of Arequipa, known for its distinctive architecture built from sillar (white volcanic rock), was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The city's architectural heritage includes numerous colonial-era churches, mansions, and monasteries, with the most notable being the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Monastery, which is essentially a city within a city, covering an area of 20,000 square meters with streets, plazas, and cloisters. The monastery was built in 1579 and is characterized by its bright colors and colonial architecture.

The city's economy is diverse, encompassing manufacturing, commerce, agriculture, and tourism. Arequipa is also an important educational center, home to several universities, including the National University of San Agustín, founded in 1828. The metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1.1 million inhabitants (2020), making it Peru's second most populous metropolitan area after Lima.

Arequipa's climate is characterized by its year-round sunny weather, with an average of 300 days of sunshine annually. The city is known as the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City) due to its buildings constructed from sillar. Notable landmarks include the Plaza de Armas, one of Peru's most beautiful main squares, the Church of the Company with its intricate baroque façade, and the Yanahuara Viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the city and its three volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. The city's culinary tradition is also significant, with local dishes such as rocoto relleno and chupe de camarones being important parts of Peruvian gastronomy.

The Facts:
Region: Arequipa.
Population: ~ 1,177,200 (2024).
Districts: Downtown, Cayma, Cerro Colorado, Sachaca, Yanahuara, Alto Selva Alegre, Sabandía, Paucarpata, Jacobo Hunter, Miraflores, Tiabaya, JL Bustamante y Rivero, Mariano Melgar, Socabaya.

Main sights: The Old Town, Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, Church of the Company, Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, Casa del Moral, Goyeneche Palace.