Arequipa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arequipa
Region capital
City of Arequipa
Cathedral of Arequipa Partial view of the city and Chachani Misti volcano Monastery of Santa Catalina Historic Centre of Arequipa Casa del Moral Church of La Compañía Campiña Paisajista Neighbourhood and City Center Skyline of Arequipa
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), León del Sur (Lion of the South)
Anthem: Himno Arequipeño
Arequipa Location in Peru
Country	Peru
Region	Arequipa
Province	Arequipa
Established	15 August 1540
Founded by	Garcí Manuel de Carbajal
Area
• Region capital	69 km2 (27 sq mi)
• Metro	2,923.53 km2 (1,128.78 sq mi)
Elevation	2,335 m (7,661 ft)
Population  (2017)
• Region capital	1,008,290
• Estimate  ()	1,214,290
• Density	14,610/km2 (37,850/sq mi)
• Metro	1,034,736
Demonym(s)	Arequipeño
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)
• Year	2023
• Total	$12.8 billion
Demographics
• Ethnic groups	55.9% Mestizo (mixed White and Indigenous) 33.5% Indigenous 30.0% Quechua 3.3% Aimara 0.1% Amazonian 0.1% Other indigenous groups 4.9% White 3.4% Other 2.3% No answer
Time zone	UTC-5 (PET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (PET)
Postal code	040
Area code(s)	54
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
Type:	Cultural
Criteria:	i, iv
Designated:	2000 (24th session)
Reference #:	1016
Region:	Latin America and Caribbean

Arequipa (Spanish pronunciation: [aɾeˈkipa]), also known as the "White City" (Ciudad Blanca) or "Lion of the South" (León del Sur), is a big city in Peru. It is the capital of the Arequipa region and province. Arequipa is the second most populated city in Peru, right after the capital city, Lima. In 2017, it had over 1.2 million people living in its urban area.

The city is an important industrial and business hub in Peru. It is known for making manufactured goods and textiles from camelid wool. Arequipa trades a lot with nearby countries like Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil. It also connects to other cities by train and to the port of Matarani.

Arequipa was founded on August 15, 1540, by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. It was first called "Beautiful Villa of Our Lady of the Assumption." Later, in 1541, King Carlos V ordered it to be called the "City of Arequipa." During the time Peru was a Spanish colony, Arequipa became very important for its strong economy. It was also known for being very loyal to the Spanish Crown. Because of this, it earned titles like "Very Noble and Very Loyal."

In Peru's history after independence, Arequipa has been a place where people stood up for their rights and democracy. Many important thinkers, politicians, and religious leaders came from here. It was even given the title "Heroic city of the free people of Arequipa."

The historic center of Arequipa is a special place. It covers 332 hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area has many old buildings and cultural spots that attract tourists from all over the world. The buildings mix Spanish and local styles, creating a unique look called the "Arequipeña School" of architecture. This style even influenced buildings in Potosí in Bolivia.

What Does the Name Arequipa Mean?

There are a few stories about how Arequipa got its name. One local legend says that the Sapa Inca Mayta Cápac was asked by his people if they could stay in the beautiful Chili River valley. He replied, "Ari qhipay" in Quechua, which means "Yes, stay."

Another similar story says that when the first Europeans arrived, they pointed to the ground and asked what the land was called. The local chief, not understanding, thought they were asking if they could sit down. He said "Arequipa," meaning "yes" in a way that sounded like the city's name.

Some historians, like Blas Valera and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, thought the name came from an old Aymara phrase, "ari qquepan." This phrase supposedly meant "trumpet sound," referring to the noise made by blowing into a seashell.

Another idea is that the name comes from the Aymara phrase "qhipaya ari" or "Ari qipa." This means "behind the peak," pointing to the nearby Misti volcano.

City Symbols

The Flag of Arequipa

Historians have discussed where the city's crimson (deep red) flag came from. By 1940, many historians agreed that the crimson color came from the royal colors of Spain. This is different from a blue flag that some thought was the original. The crimson color is also used by local sports teams.

Arequipa's Coat of Arms

On December 22, 1540, King Charles I of Spain officially made Arequipa a city. He gave it a special coat of arms. This coat of arms shows a mythical animal holding a banner with "Karlos V" or "Del Rey" written on it.

The City Anthem

Arequipa's city anthem is called Fourth Centenary Anthem. The words and music were created by Emilio Pardo Valle and Aurelio Diaz Espinoza. They won a competition in 1939 to create a new anthem for the city. Since then, this song is sung at all important city events.

History of Arequipa

Early Times (Pre-Columbian Era)

The first people in the Arequipa area were nomads. They moved around and survived by fishing, hunting, and gathering food. Later, before the Inca Empire, people started to tame llamas and settled down. They began to farm. They built terraces on both sides of the Chili River valley to water their crops. The Yarabaya and Chimbe tribes lived where the city is now. Along with the Cabana and Collagua tribes, they developed farming in the valley.

When the Inca Mayta Cápac arrived, he didn't build new cities. Instead, he moved people around to control the land better. One story, though not fully proven, says that around 1170, another Inca leader, Huayna Capac, stopped in the Chili River valley. He said Ari qepay ("Let's stay here"). Then, land was given to 3,000 families who started communities like Yanahuara, Cayma, and Socabaya. These are now districts in Arequipa.

Spanish Colonial Era

On August 15, 1540, a Spanish leader named Garcí Manuel de Carbajal founded the area. He called it "Villa de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora del Valle Hermoso de Arequipa." The name was later shortened to Villa Hermosa de Arequipa. King Charles V of Spain officially made it a "city" on September 22, 1541.

Arequipa became one of the most important cities in the Spanish colony of Peru, second only to Lima. A city council was set up to choose mayors and other leaders. The Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa started being built in 1544. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1583 but was rebuilt. In 1609, Pope Paul V created the Arequipa Diocese.

Arequipa was known for being very loyal to the Spanish Crown. This loyalty was called "fidelismo." Even when there were rebellions by local people in the 18th century, Arequipa stayed loyal to Spain. Because of its loyalty, King Charles IV gave the city the title of "Fidelísima" (Most Faithful) in 1805.

Independence

Arequipa's people were very loyal to the Spanish crown for a long time. This loyalty was called fidelismo. Because it was far from other Peruvian cities, Arequipa was not much affected by early independence movements. In 1814, troops fighting for independence briefly took over Arequipa. But the city stayed under Spanish control until the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824.

After Independence (Republican Era)

19th Century

After Peru became independent, Arequipa became a department in 1822. The city was a strong opponent of Simón Bolívar's ideas for a lifelong presidency. Important people from Arequipa spoke out against it. During this time, the Academia Lauretana helped create new schools, including the National University of San Agustín in 1827.

Arequipa was in a great spot for trade, especially for silver and wool. This helped it become an important center for business and industry. Many important political leaders came from Arequipa. The city also saw many political movements that helped keep it stable. This made Arequipa the second most important city in Peru, after Lima.

In 1835, President Luis José de Orbegoso moved his government from Lima to Arequipa. Later, a general named Felipe Santiago Salaverry declared himself leader in Lima. Orbegoso asked for help from the Bolivian president, Andrés de Santa Cruz. Salaverry was defeated and shot in Arequipa's main square in 1836.

Arequipa did not agree with the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. Chile sent soldiers to Arequipa in 1837. To avoid fighting, a peace treaty was signed nearby. In the following years, Arequipa saw many uprisings and military takeovers. The city became a major center for business and trade, especially for farm products and wool.

In 1882, during the War of the Pacific, President Lizardo Montero Flores declared Arequipa the capital of Peru. This was because Lima was occupied. He set up a National Congress in Arequipa. However, in 1883, a popular uprising overthrew Montero's government. Chilean troops then occupied Arequipa until August 1884.

20th Century

The 20th century brought many improvements to Arequipa. The Southern Railroad connected Arequipa to the port city of Mollendo in 1871. It also connected to Cuzco and Juliaca by 1876. In 1908, the first telegraph system connected Arequipa to other towns. In 1914, the city got its first drinking water system. The Rodríguez Ballón International Airport opened in 1940.

Arequipa also saw political changes. In 1930, Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro took control, leading to President Augusto B. Leguía leaving office. In 1948, General Manuel A. Odría took power. But Arequipa was also a place of peaceful protests. There were two big demonstrations against Odría's rule in 1950 and 1955.

21st Century

In 2000, the historic center of Arequipa was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. However, in 2001, a strong earthquake damaged several historic buildings. This led to new safety measures to protect the city's history. Around the 2010s, Arequipa's economy grew a lot, partly because of its copper mines. The city has also worked on managing water and planning its growth. Arequipa's Urban Development Plan 2025 shows these efforts. The city's public transport has also improved, with modern buses and plans for electric buses.

Geography of Arequipa

Where is Arequipa Located?

The city is about 2,328 metres (7,638 ft) (7,638 feet) above sea level. The lowest part is at 2,041 metres (6,696 ft) (6,696 feet) and the highest is at 2,810 metres (9,220 ft) (9,219 feet).

The Chili River flows through the middle of the city from north to south. To the north and east are the Andes Mountains. To the south and west are smaller mountain ranges. Arequipa's valley connects the coast and the highlands of southern Peru.

Several volcanoes stand tall over the city. These include Misti and the older volcanoes Pichu Pichu and Chachani. The western slopes of the Andes have thick layers of volcanic rock.

Arequipa's Climate

Arequipa's climate is mostly dry during winter, autumn, and spring. It doesn't get much rain, like a desert climate. On average, Arequipa enjoys 300 sunny days each year! Temperatures usually stay between 5 °C (41 °F) (41°F) and 25 °C (77 °F) (77°F). The wet season is from December to March, with clouds in the afternoon and light rain. In winter (June and July), the temperature can drop to about 6 °C (43 °F) (43°F).

The air usually has about 46% humidity. It can be higher in summer (70%) and lower in other seasons (27%). Winds mainly blow in the early morning and evening. They usually come from the northeast (mountain breezes) or southwest (valley breezes).

Sunlight in Arequipa

Arequipa gets a lot of solar radiation. It ranges from 850 to 950 watts per square meter. This is one of the highest levels in South America and the highest in Peru. Arequipa's closeness to the Atacama Desert and some pollution contribute to these high levels.

How the City Looks

When Arequipa was founded in 1540, the Spanish planned it like a checkerboard. It had 56 blocks, each about 111 meters (365 feet) long. Each block had four or eight plots of land. Over time, some religious places, like the Convent of Santa Catalina, took up a whole block.

The city grew, taking over the countryside. This has happened even faster in recent years. Arequipa expanded east of the historic center. New roads were built to connect the old center with newer areas and towns like Yanahuara. Shantytowns also appeared in some districts. A permanent market was built where a monastery used to be. The Goyeneche Hospital was built between 1905 and 1910. The city also got theaters, a hotel, a library, and a university campus. New housing areas were built too.

In the late 1950s, Arequipa grew very quickly, especially in areas outside the center. Factories moved from the city center to a new industrial zone. This made the old industrial areas become commercial zones. Some universities also moved to bigger lands outside the center. Residential areas grew in the suburbs. This made the city center mainly a place for tourists and businesses.

City Districts

The Arequipa metropolitan area has 19 districts. It covers a total of about 305,798 acres (123,752 hectares), with 10,142 acres (4,104 ha) being urban areas.

No.	District	No.	District
1	Downtown	7	Paucarpata
2	Cayma	8	Jacobo Hunter
3	Cerro Colorado	9	Miraflores
4	Sachaca	10	Tiabaya
5	Yanahuara	11	JL Bustamante y Rivero
6	Alto Selva Alegre	12	Mariano Melgar
7	Sabandía	14	Socabaya
Source: National Institute of Statistics and Informatics

People of Arequipa

In 2007, about 70% of the Arequipa Region's total population lived in Arequipa city. The city is the second most populated in Peru, after Lima.

In an early census in 1796, Arequipa had 37,241 people. Most of them (59.6%) were of Spanish descent. The population grew quickly, especially between 1940 and 1960.

Ethnicities of Arequipa in 2017
Ethnicities			Percentage
Mestizo			55.9%
Quechua			30.0%
White			4.9%
Other indigenous groups			3.5%
Other			3.4%
No answer			2.3%

The city's population grew from 80,000 in 1940 to 158,000 in 1961. Earthquakes and droughts caused more people to move to the city. This led to more urbanization and growth of suburbs. The population nearly doubled in a decade, reaching almost 500,000 by 1983.

How Arequipa's Population Has Grown (1796-2017)

Population (City of Arequipa)

Year	Population	Source
1796	37241
1804	37148	Population Census 1804 (Gil de Toboada)
1812	34478	Viceroyalty of Peru in 1812
1876	30932	Census of inhabitants of Peru (1876)
1917	44209	Census of the City of Arequipa in 1917
1940	80947	INEI
1961	158685	INEI
1972	309094	INEI
1981	446942	INEI
1993	619156	INEI
2007	749291	INEI
2017	1008290	INEI 2012 population estimate

Sources: Population Census 1804 (Gil de Toboada) Viceroyalty of Peru in 1812, Census of inhabitants of Peru (1876), Census of the City of Arequipa in 1917 INEI, INEI 2012 population estimate

Economy of Arequipa

Arequipa city creates 74.2% of the Arequipa Region's total economic output (GDP). The Arequipa Region has the second-highest GDP in Peru, after the Lima region. From 2003 to 2008, Arequipa was known as the "city with the greatest economic growth in Latin America." Its GDP per person grew by 66.1%.

Economic Indicators – City of Arequipa
Population (MM)	GDP 2010 (millions USD$)	GDP per capita 2010 (USD$)	% Unemployment 2011	No. investment banks
0–9	10,587	12,188	5,0	1
Source: American Journal Economics. Special Cities

Arequipa has a large number of working people, with 625,547 people in its "workforce." About 376,764 people are actively employed. The main jobs are in manufacturing (making things), trade (buying and selling), and services. The unemployment rate in the Arequipa metropolitan area is 8%.

Tourism is very important to Arequipa's economy. It is the third most visited city in Peru, after Cusco and Lima. In 2010, Arequipa welcomed almost 1.4 million visitors.

Since the 20th century, many factories have opened in Arequipa. These factories often deal with raw materials like textiles and farm products. Arequipa is a key business and industrial center in southern Peru. It connects the coast to the mountains.

Large-scale mining also helps the city's economy. For example, Cerro Verde, a mining site near Arequipa, started in 1976.

Arequipa's industrial sector is very diverse and is the second most industrialized city in Peru. After two big earthquakes in 1958 and 1960, a special law helped build an industrial complex. One of the first factories there was the Yura cement factory.

This first industrial complex, called Parque Industrial de Arequipa, now has many different factories. They make everything from food and drinks to construction materials (like PVC, cement, and steel) and chemical products. They also make things for export, like textiles. Some important companies there include Alicorp SAA, La Iberica, and Corporación Aceros Arequipa. Other industrial areas have also grown around the city.

In 1959, the first television broadcast in Arequipa happened at the San Agustin National University. A businessman named Jack Dwyre started the company Televisora Sur Peruana. The university became one of the first in South America to have its own public TV station. Since then, two more public TV stations have started in Arequipa.

El Pueblo is the oldest newspaper printed in Arequipa. It has been published since 1905 and is the second oldest in Peru. Many famous writers and politicians started their careers working for this newspaper.

Education in Arequipa

Schools

In 2007, Arequipa had many students at all levels. There were 20,595 students in preschools, 143,543 in elementary schools, and 219,305 in high schools. Some of the oldest and most respected schools in the city are Independencia Americana School, San Francisco de Asis School, and La Salle School.

Colegio Max Uhle is a German international school in Arequipa.

Universities

Arequipa has more than 15 universities. Nine of them have their main campuses in the city. One of these is a public university, the Universidad Nacional San Agustin. The others are private or branches of universities from other parts of Peru and Chile. In 2007, over 70,000 students were in universities, and more than 56,000 were in colleges or technical institutes.

Two of Arequipa's higher education institutions are very old. Seminario de San Jeronimo, a religious training center, has been open since 1622. The San Agustin National University was founded in 1828. However, its roots go back to the Academia Lauretana de Artes y Sciencias, a college started in 1821.

The first private university in the city was Universidad Catolica Santa Maria. Later, Universidad Católica San Pablo and Universidad San Francisco were also established. Many other universities from outside the region also have branches in Arequipa.

Universities
University	Installation	Undergraduates	Main Campus
Universidad Nacional San Agustin de Arequipa	1828	24188	Arequipa
Universidad Catolica Santa Maria	1961	12268	Arequipa
Universidad Catolica San Pablo	2004	4769	Arequipa
Universidad La Salle	2011	–	Arequipa
Universidad Tecnologica del Peru	2007	1201	Lima
Source: Second National Census of Universities (2010)

Culture and Society

Regional Pride

Arequipa is sometimes called a "Spanish island in an indigenous sea." This is because its culture is very proud and unique. People in Arequipa have a strong sense of regionalism. This means they are very proud of their region and its history. This pride has often led to them fighting against too much control from the central government in Lima. As one historian said, "Arequipa is a gun pointed at the heart of Lima," showing the friendly rivalry between the two cities.

Language

Arequipa has its own special way of speaking Spanish. People often stretch out the last vowel of the last word in a sentence. Another unique feature is using "vos" instead of "tú" or "usted" for "you." While "voseo" (using "vos") is mostly heard in rural areas of Peru, in Arequipa, it's used in both cities and the countryside. There was also a local dialect called loncco, but it's not as common now. However, schools hold contests to encourage writing poems in the loncco dialect.

Famous Writers

Arequipa has a long history of great writers. Many have become famous in Peru and around the world. In the colonial period, Lorenzo de Llamosas was a notable writer. In the 19th century, Mariano Melgar wrote patriotic and romantic poems and fables.

In the 20th century, Mario Vargas Llosa is the most famous writer from Arequipa. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010. He wrote famous novels like The Green House and Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter. Other important writers from the 20th century include poets Percy Gibson and Oswaldo Reynoso.

Art and Photography

The Vargas Brothers Art Studio created some of the most detailed photos of Peru in the 19th and 20th centuries. Open from 1912 to 1958, their studio captured many different parts of Peruvian culture. They were known for their night photos and portraits of women. Their old photos have been restored and shown around the world, bringing recognition to their work and the way of life they captured.

Museums to Visit

Arequipa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its rich history and art are shown in its many museums.

• The Museum of the Cathedral.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo) has paintings and photos from the 1900s onwards, especially by Peruvian artists.
• The Regional Museum of the Central Reserve Bank (Museo Regional del Banco Central de Reserva) displays ancient Peruvian art and colonial art. It also has a collection of old coins and banknotes.
• The Santa Maria University Museum of Archaeology and the Andean Sanctuaries Museum (Museo Santuarios Andinos) have important collections of archaeological items, mainly from local ancient cultures. The Andean Sanctuaries Museum is famous for housing Inca mummies.
• Other museums include the San Agustin University Museum of Archaeology and the Municipal Museum of Arequipa.

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  The Universidad Nacional de San Agustín Museum, part of the National University of San Agustín.

• 

  One of the halls of Arequipa's Museum of Contemporary Art

• 

  Entrance of the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries, famous for housing the girl sacrificed in the Ampato volcano, as well as various Incan artifacts.

Science and Culture Centers

Many scientists were born or worked in Arequipa. These include Pedro Paulet, a pioneer in rocket science, and Mariano Eduardo de Rivero y Ustariz, a geologist. The Astronomical Observatory of Carmen Alto was an important research center. Harvard University ran it from 1891 to 1927.

Cultural events are often organized by the city's main universities: San Agustin National University and Santa Maria Catholic University. Other cultural groups like the Alliance Française also host events. Since the 1990s, banks and private companies have also supported cultural activities.

Music in Arequipa

Music is a big part of Arequipa's culture. Even in colonial times, there were important composers like Mariano Melgar. The Symphonic Orchestra of Arequipa, started in 1939, helps keep classical and local music alive. Like in the rest of Peru, traditional music styles such as vals criollo (Peruvian waltz), yaravi, and huayno are still popular.

Delicious Food

Arequipa's food is very diverse, with as many as 194 traditional dishes! The city's cooking mixes European and Andean styles. Many dishes were created to please the Spanish settlers. Interestingly, many restaurants have a special main dish for each day of the week. For example, chaque on Mondays and chairo on Tuesdays.

Some of the most popular local dishes are chupe de camarones (shrimp soup), ocopa arequipeña, and rocoto relleno. For desserts, try queso helado (ice cream made of milk, cinnamon, and coconut) or buñuelos. Besides local wines and beers, two special drinks are chicha de guinapo (made from a local corn) and anisado (anise liqueur).

Rocoto relleno is Arequipa's most famous dish and one of Peru's best known. It's like stuffed peppers, but it uses Rocoto peppers. These peppers are grown in Peru, especially in Arequipa. They are much spicier than regular jalapeños! The Incans used to grow and prepare these peppers.

Sports in Arequipa

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Arequipa. The local team, FBC Melgar, plays in the Peruvian First Division. They won national championships in 1981 and 2015. They are the biggest football club in Arequipa. The city has hosted many sporting events, including the 2004 Copa América.

The women's football team of FBC White Star, a rival team, won the national league in 2009. Other teams in the city include Sportivo Huracán and FBC Aurora.

The main stadiums in Arequipa are: Virgen de Chapi Stadium (owned by San Agustin National University), Mariano Melgar Stadium, and Umacollo Stadium. Virgen de Chapi Stadium, also called Stadium of the UNSA, is the second largest stadium in Peru. It can hold 60,370 people.

Places to See

The Old Town

The historic center covers 332 hectares and has 5,817 properties. About 500 of these are considered heritage sites. Many buildings were rebuilt in the 19th century after an earthquake in 1868. The houses are usually made of ashlar, a white or pink volcanic stone. Ashlar buildings have thick walls, about 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) for rooms and 2 meters (6.5 feet) for churches.

A special style of architecture called the "School Arequipa" developed here. It is known for its detailed decorations and large, unique entrances. This style was very important in the region and even reached Potosi in Bolivia.

The use of ashlar stone became popular in the late 16th century. This stone is soft, light, and strong against earthquakes. The first city was built with adobe and straw roofs. Later, brick and tile houses appeared, like in the Monastery of Santa Catalina. After a big earthquake in 1582, ashlar became the main building material.

Major earthquakes have shaped Arequipa's architecture. There are five main periods:

Religious Buildings

The historic center has 14 churches or temples, four chapels, five convents, and three monasteries. Some important ones include:

• Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

This is Peru's most important neoclassical building. It was rebuilt from 1844 to 1847. Its inside has three sections with Corinthian columns.

• Church of La Compañía

This church is a great example of the Arequipeña School. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Peruvian Baroque style. An inscription from 1698 shows how developed this regional art was.

• Convent of Santa Catalina

• Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, Arequipa

Public Buildings

There are 10 public buildings in the historic center. These include theaters like Phoenix and the Municipal Theatre, the Goyeneche Hospital, and the San Camilo market. Bridges like Bolognesi and Grau are also notable.

Old Houses

Within the historic center, 246 houses are considered historic monuments. These houses have thick, strong walls, with arches and domes. They look similar to the churches and monasteries. They were built from the 17th and 18th centuries and were mostly used as homes.

Nearby Areas to Explore

• Yanahuara Villa Hermosa: About 2 kilometres (1 mile) from the city. It's famous for its churches and alleys built in the Andalusian style.
• Cayma Villa: About 3 miles (5 kilometres) from the city center. Known for its old taverns and a 17th-century church. It also has a viewpoint with great views of Arequipa.
• Yura Thermal Baths: About 30 kilometres (19 miles) away. The water comes from inside the Chachani volcano. There are also medicinal springs nearby.
• Sabandía: A natural valley with very clear waters. Here you can find the Sabandía mill, which has been working since the 18th century.
• Sachaca Farm (Founder's Mansion): About 12 kilometres (7 miles) from the city. This old house belonged to important historical figures in Peru. It is now open to the public.

Parks and Fun Places

Arequipa has 26 hectares of urban parks and squares in and around the historic center. Some of the most well-known are:

There are also 22 hectares of countryside within this historic area.

Other important green spaces in the city include:

• Parque Ecològico Alto Selva Alegre: Located in the eastern part of the city, covering 1008 hectares. Part of it is near the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
• Fundo Paraíso: Part of Parque Selva Alegre, covering 67 hectares.
• Chilina Valley countryside: Covers 151 hectares.
• Chilpinilla Metropolitan Park: Covers 14 hectares.

City Services

Healthcare

As the main city in the Arequipa Region, Arequipa has the most public and private healthcare centers. There are 680 such places in total. Public hospitals and health centers include:

• Social Security Hospitals: Edmundo Escomel, Policlínico Metropolitano, Yanahuara, and Carlos Seguin National Hospital.
• Ministry of Health (MINSA) Hospitals: Honorio Delgado Regional Hospital and Goyeneche Hospital.
• National Institute of Neoplasic Diseases (INEN): Regional Institute of Neoplasic Diseases.

Water Supply

The water supply in Arequipa can be different depending on the neighborhood. Sometimes, water supply is interrupted because the old underground pipes need repairs. These interruptions can feel longer in the outer parts of the city. People in these areas also report more unexpected water outages.

Getting Around Arequipa

Roads

Arequipa's road system looks like a wheel with spokes. Four main avenues (Ejército, Jesus, Alcides Carrion, and Parra) help people travel between the city center and outer areas. Other avenues connect these main roads, almost forming a circle around the downtown. Interchanges, like the one at Avenida La Marina, help reduce traffic. A road about 40 kilometres (25 miles) long connects Arequipa to the Pan-American Highway and coastal cities. Another road goes to other cities in the southern highlands like Puno and Cuzco.

Public transport in Arequipa is run by small private companies. In 2014, there was a plan for a metro system.

Air Travel

Arequipa's only airport is Rodríguez Ballón International Airport. It is run by a private company. The airport is about 12 miles (19 kilometres) northwest of the city center. It is considered one of the best airports in Peru. You can fly from here to Peruvian cities like Lima, Cuzco, and Tacna. There are also international flights to cities like Arica and Santiago de Chile.

Train Travel

Arequipa has had a railway system since 1871. This system connects the coast and the mountains. It is very important for moving heavy goods over long distances. The main lines are Cusco-Puno-Arequipa and Arequipa-Mollendo.

Bus Travel

Terrapuerto Internacional Arequipa is a large bus terminal. It is located in the Jacobo Hunter district. Many bus companies offer trips to other cities in Peru. You can also travel to international places like La Paz (Bolivia) and Santiago de Chile.

Notable People from Arequipa

• Max González Olaechea (1867-1946), a doctor and university professor.
• Augusto Pérez Araníbar (1858–1948), a doctor and generous helper of others.
• Patricia Salas O'Brien (born 1958), a sociologist and former Minister of Education.
• Mario Vargas Llosa (born 1936), a famous novelist and journalist.

Sister Cities

Arequipa is twinned with these cities around the world:

See also

In Spanish: Arequipa para niños