ÍNDICE
The region of Arequipa is in the south of Peru, it has an extensive coastal zone of 528 kilometers with the Pacific Ocean, but in turn the environment of the coast out of the water is practically desert. Its surroundings have contact with the departments of Moquegua, Puno, Cuzco, Apurímac, Ayacucho and Ica, which allows access to various parts of the country.
Map of the Arequipa Region
Let us now see some maps of the department of Arequipa and also of the capital of the Arequipa Region, that is, the city of Arequipa
Area map of Arequipa with all its provinces.
Map of the region of Arequipa showing where the city of Arequipa is located
Map of the Province of Arequipa, where its headquarters and district limits are indicated.
The 8 provinces of Arequipa
The region of Arequipa is divided into 8 provinces and 109 districts.
- Arequipa
- Caravelí
- Castilla
- Islay
- La Unión.
- Caylloma
- Condesuyos
- Camaná
Arequipeño Tourist Attractions – Volcanoes and much more
In the region of Arequipa you cannot get bored. Here there are springs, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, ancient temples, caves and caverns, thermal baths, convents and mansions, one of the deepest canyons in the world, natural sanctuaries, stone forests, beaches, archaeological museums, petroglyphs and even a castle. In the area of Arequipa there is nature and places of interest for everyone.
The Valley of the Volcanoes
The Valley of the Volcanoes: A valley with 80 small volcanoes, which make you think that you are visiting the moon.
Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu Volcanoes: Choose one, or all three, from the top you will see the city in miniature, some climbs last more than two days and it is an incredible experience.
Playas de Mollendo y camana
Las Playas de Mollendo: Town used to receiving tourists with good beaches, fishing areas and even a Water Park.
The Beaches in Camaná: These are the most visited for their warmth.
Rafting en el Río Chili
Rafting on the Chili River, the source of life for all of Arequipa, which is highly protected by the environmental authorities.
El Cañón del Colca
The Colca Canyon: Unforgettable experience where you will have fun and do unusual activities. It is an impressive canyon located in the Arequipa region, in southern Peru. With a depth of approximately 3,270 meters at its deepest point, the Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, even surpassing in depth the famous Grand Canyon of the Colorado in the United States.
The Historical Center of Arequipa
The Historical Center of Arequipa: Arequipa Cathedral Museum, Arequipa Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and the Cloisters of the Company among other historical places. Arequipa’s Casco Histórico is dominated by Spanish colonial architecture, which developed during the time when Peru was a Spanish colony. The buildings in this area are mostly made of ashlar, a white volcanic stone that gives the city its nickname “The White City”
Among the main sites in the historic center of Arequipa that you can see when visiting the city, I would highlight the following.
Main Square
“The Plaza de Armas of Arequipa” is the heart of the Historic Center and one of the most emblematic places in the city. In the center of the square there is a fountain and a monument dedicated to the founder of the city, Manuel García de Carbajal. Surrounded by cathedrals, colonial buildings and ashlar arches, the square is a gathering place and meeting point for locals and tourists.
Arequipa Catedral
It was built in the 17th century and features a combination of architectural styles, including Baroque and Renaissance. Its facade is sculpted in ashlar and has intricate details and religious sculptures.
St. Catherine’s Monastery
This monastery is a city within the city, with cobblestone streets, cloisters, gardens and religious homes. It is a fascinating place to learn about the religious life and history of Arequipa. It was founded in 1579.
In addition to the Cathedral and the Monastery of Santa Catalina, the Historic Center is home to several historic churches and convents. Among them are the Church of the Company of Jesus, the Church of San Francisco, the Recoleta Convent, among others.
For you who visit us from another country and for you who need to know this little piece of Peru, dare. So, what are you waiting for?
Number of inhabitants in the entire Arequipa area
The region of Arequipa has a population of a little more than one million three hundred thousand inhabitants, and according to statistics, almost half of the active people (who work) are dependent on the family, a fact that is directly related to the large number of students. university students and graduates of the department.
As a peculiarity, the area of Arequipa has an average higher education level higher than the Peruvian national average. Among its main economic activities are the manufacturing of camelid wool textile products and the production and marketing of extraction from mining companies such as copper and molybdenum.
The Capital of Arequipa
The capital of the Department of Arequipa is the city of the region with the same name, that is, the city of Arequipa.
The city of Arequipa is the second city with the most economic movement and industrialization in Peru, despite this, it has the largest number of paralyzed works and the highest unemployment rate in Peru in recent years.
The city of Arequipa is one of those with the highest rate of incidence of solar radiation in all of South America and the highest in all of Peru.
You can research more about the Capital, Arequipa, using the following interactive Google Maps map.
The climate in Arequipa city and the region
The Arequipa region does not have a uniform climate due to the topography of its territory. This department has warm and temperate climates on its coast, icy areas on its mountains that have permanent snow, and a lot of humidity, you can witness fog at ground level, unexpected drizzle, hail, and at the top of its mountains, snowfall.
Flora and fauna
Peru is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity on the entire planet Earth. The Department of Arequipa is home to one of the largest varieties of plants and animals in the entire country, many of them in danger of extinction.
- Taruco or Andean deer, is an endangered mammal, which can have horns up to 30 centimeters wide.
- The Andean condor is also common in the department of Arequipa and can reach large sizes, which makes it an impressive bird when it flies over us from the sky.
- Vicuna. It is a small camelid characteristic of this area. They are usually brown – reddish with white parts. They usually live at high altitudes.
Especially, this department is characterized by having a great variety of flying fauna. Due to its climatic conditions and geographical location, the Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary serves as a stopover for many migratory birds to protect many of the species in their natural habitat and all those that visit the region throughout the year.
Regarding the flora, there are also some typical plants and flowers of the Arequipa region that must be named.
- The queñual It is a tree which makes up large areas of forest extension in the department of Arequipa. Currently this tree has been somewhat diminished due to the excesses of wood collectors in the area.
- The ichu. Also called puna grass, it is typical of the highlands of the department of Arequipa and the outskirts of the city of Arequipa. It is often used as cattle feed.
- The yareta. It is a very typical shrub of Peru and more specifically of the department we are talking about. It usually grows in a circular shape forming a kind of bush balls.
As can be seen, the majority of the flora that we find in the Arequipa region is a flora adapted to the arid climate, given the climatological circumstances of this Peruvian area.
Comida típica Arequipeña
At this point we will name the most representative dishes of the regionof Arequipa since we are talking about Peru, where each corner you visit will have a variety of “good flavors” that makes it recognized worldwide for its food.
Ocopa
Ocopa: A delicious creamy sauce made from a plant called Huacatay that gives it a unique flavor. With it we will bathe our parboiled potato garnish.
Chupe de Camarones
Chupe de Camarones: A delicious soup based on milk and shrimp that will make you sweat, after this…a good nap.
Rocoto Relleno
Rocoto Relleno: For those who don’t know it, the rocoto is a type of chili that is very hot, in this recipe they manage to take away all of its hotness, they fill it and it goes in the oven. The result is spectacular, and it doesn’t sting.
Adobo de Chancho
Adobo de Chancho: After marinating the pork in a clay pot with various spices and a base of chicha de guiñapo (fermented drink made from black corn typical of the region), it is fried or cooked in the same pot with said mixture. It is served with bread, this is “finger licking good”.
Most Important Festivals in the Region
Most of the most commemorated festivals in the region have their roots in religious celebrations such as Holy Week, the Festival of the Virgin of Chapi (May 1), the Festival of the Immaculate Conception and the Festival of the Buses and Mazapanes for the Day of the Saints.
In addition, the Arequipa region takes the Anniversary of the Spanish Foundation of the city of Arequipa very seriously, a party that never goes “under the table”, as the popular expression says.