Arequipa Peru Facts

Arequipa (Ariqipa (Quechua)) – an impressive “white city” is situated at an altitude of 2325 m inside southwestern part of the nation; between your coastal area of the seaside desert and the spurs of this western Andes. It possesses a series of volcanic cones such as for instance "El Misti", "Chachani", and "Pichu Pichu". This beautiful town is almost entirely built off sillar, a type of white volcanic rock. This is why Arequipa is called the White City (“la ciudad blanca”). It really is a magnificent illustration of colonial architecture. The historic centre of Arequipa had been called a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Arequipa is based regarding tectonic break associated with world's crust called “Ring of Fire” (“cadena del fuego”), recognized for its high frequency of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The last several powerful earthquakes were in 1958, 1960 and 2001.

The modern-day city of Arequipa ended up being created on 15 August 1540 by Pedro Anzures de Campo Redondo. Nevertheless archaeological excavations indicate that the valley, in which Arequipa is based, had been inhabited when you look at the 6th – seventh centuries BC. In 15th century, once the Incas occupied this territory, Aymara Indians existed here.

The name for the city

There are many viewpoints in regards to the source of it's name; thought to come from the Quechua or Aymara languages. One tradition states the Inca Mayta Capac got a petition from his topics to achieve the area of Chili. They asked for permission in which to stay the spot, since they had been amazed by the beautiful scenery and mild weather. The Inca reacted, "Ari qhipay" (in Quechua: "Yes, remain"). Another variation was that the title originated from a classic dialect of Aymara. Ari qquepan (literally, method of war horn). In English the expression means "trumpet sound".

Locations to see in Arequipa and its particular borders