General Information Arequipa

arequipa peru There are various traditions about the name, said to come from the Quechua or Aymara languages. One tradition says that the IncaMayta Capac received a petition from his subjects to reach the valley of the Chili. They requested permission to stay in the region, because they were amazed by the beautiful scenery and mild climate. The Inca responded, "Ari qhipay" (in Quechua: "Yes, stay.") This was the etymology described by a Calancha father, which was translated by J. Ignacio Gamio.
Another version was that of the missionary Padre Blas Sailing and the 16th century Peruvian historian, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. They said that the name came from an old dialect ofAymara. Ari qquepan (literally, way of war horn) was named after a marine snail which the Indians used as a horn. In English the phrase means "trumpet sound".

Juan de la Cruz Salas y Sanchez and the historian Ernst Middendorf proposed an etymology that recognized the area was settled by people of highland (Aymara) origin. They contend the name is derived from Aymara, with the phrase ari qhipaya; ari (acute, sharp or pointed) and qhipaya (behind), meaning "behind the bill," referring to the volcanic cone of El Misti, Arequipa, which dominates the skyline.
The Incas believed Cuzco to be the center of the world. They referred to the area of Arequipa as the "land or place behind the volcanoes", or other location behind the mountains, or ariq qipao.

Climate

The climate of Arequipa is warm and rather dry all through the year. Arequipa lies alongside the southernmost tip of Peru's Desert Coast and enjoys plenty of sunny weather, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping much below 20°C / 68°F or thereabouts.
However, by night, temperatures in Arequipa can drop sharply, particularly in June, July and August, when evening temperatures hover around 10°C / 50°F, and at times fall to 5 °C / 41°F.

History

On 15 August 1540, day of the Virgin of the Assumption, is founded the Villa de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora del Valle clima arequipa Hermoso de Arequipa by Lieutenant Governor Garci Manuel de Carbajal, on the left bank of the River Chili.
Arequipa is located in the southwestern part of the country and is the second biggest city of Peru, with a population of almost one million. It is the largest city in the Peruvian Andes. It is also the capital of the department of Arequipa, 663.8 miles (1,068 km) from Lima. The city sits at an altitude of 2,325 metres above sea level in a mountainous desert in the western Andes, at the foot of El Misti volcano.

El Misti is currently inactive, but had strong eruptions between the years 1438 and 1471. It is located between two small volcanoes, Chachani andPicchu Picchu. Both names come from the Quechua language from the Inca Empire. Arequipa has more than 80 volcanoes nearby, most of which can be found in the Valley of the Volcanoes. Unfortunately the city was built on a very earthquake prone area, and was completely destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions during the 1600s.

There is archaeological evidence of the Aymaras from the pre Inca period in Lake Titicaca. During the 15th century, the region occupied by the Aymaras was conquered by the Incas and served as an important provider of agricultural products for the Inca Empire. One explanation of the name is that the Aymara named the city ‘ARI’ which means ‘peak’ and ‘QUIPA’, to lie behind. Therefore, the name Arequipa means ‘The place that lies behind the peak (Misti)’.

The modern city of Arequipa was founded on 15 August 1540 by Garci Manuel de Carbajal, an emissary of the conqueror Francisco Pizarro. A year later King Charles V of Spain gave it the rank of city and the coat of arms that it still bears.
On 21 July 1821, Don José de San Martin declared Peru’s independence from the Spanish colony, and during the 19th century Arequipa housed manyPeruvian nationalists. During this period Arequipa became known across the continent as a land of leaders, and for the courage of the Arequipeñan rebels.

Its colonial buildings were erected in sillar (pearl coloured volcanic rock) which was used abundantly throughout the city, giving it the nickname of ‘The White City’. The historic centre was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in December 2000 due to its architecture and historical integrity. “The historic centre of Arequipa is an example of ornamental architecture, representing a masterpiece of the European creative coalition and native characteristics.” “A colonial village challenged by the conditions of nature,indigenous influence, the process of conquest and evangelization as well as spectacular natural scenery.”

Generally considered the second most beautiful city in Peru after Cusco, Arequipa has attractions for all kinds of tourists, many of whom come to visit the Colca Canyon, the high volcanoes, or just to walk around the colonial city.
The White City of Arequipa has become the centre of economic growth in the south and is one of the most important milk producers in the country. This has allowed Arequipa to develop and grow in population and change over the years. In the mid-twentieth century there was an influx of immigration from the highlands and mountain areas, and now Arequipa’s population is a mixture of Spanish, indigenous and mixed.

eography

The city of Arequipa is located in the southwestern part of the country, between the coastal area of the coastal desert and the spurs of the western Andes. It possesses a series of volcanic cones such as "El Misti", "Chachani" and "Pichu Pichu". Its territory is rugged due to the presence of the Andes in the west of the continent, and is characterized by thick layers of volcanic lava that cover large areas of its geography. There are low-lying plains and dunes that are features. Particularly beautiful and developed are those seen on the plains of Majes,Sihuas and La Joya.
Natural landscape of Arequipa, also known as "La Campiña"
The city is located at an altitude of 2328 m.; the lowest part of the city lies at an altitude of 2041 m. in El Huayco and Uchumayo. The highest point is located to 2810 m. The city is crossed by the River Chili from north to south