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Arequipa
Although Arequipa was far from Lima and isolated between desert and mountains when the country was young, it was on the route linking the silver mines of Bolivia to the coast. For that reason, the oasis at the foot of the Misti volcano grew to be the Peruvian town with the largest Spanish population and the strongest European traditions. Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru and often called the Ciudad Blanca (White City) for the white volcanic ashlar stone used for building remains Peru's second most important city.
 The South Pan-American road leads up from the coast to Arequipa connecting it with Lima and Tacna. There are 1,020 krn (632 miles) between Arequipa and Lima and 400 km (248 miles) between Arequipa and Tacna.
Arequipa is the capital of the Province, Department and Region of the same name. It is located at 7,314 feet. One of its main attractions is the fact that Arequipa has probably the nicest weather of Peru with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The city keeps its ancient architectural treasures, but also shows a modern side with many luxurious hotels and casinos. Arequipa gives tourists the opportunity to spend a pleasant time in the city and its outskirts
Arequipeñas are a proud lot and a century ago they started a movement to secede from Peru. Even today Lima residents heading south to the "White City" jokingly ask one another if they've remembered to bring along passports.
Arequipa's Plaza de Armas is one of Peru's most beautiful. One full side is occupied by the massive
cathedral (open daily), which was rebuilt twice in the early 19th century after it was destroyed by fire and earthquake. Its clock is the city's unofficial timepiece. Make sure you see the cathedral's organ, brought from Belgium, and its elaborately carved wooden pulpit, the work of French artist Rigot in 1879. Two-story arcades grace the other three sides of the plaza, with palm trees, old gas lamps and a fountain amidst an English garden.
The most astonishing stop in Arequipa is the
Santa Catalina Convent, opened in 1970 after 400 years as a cloister for nuns. Although they lived behind closed doors all that time, the nuns paid little heed to the traditional vows of poverty and silence. During its heyday, this convent's sleeping cells were furnished with English carpets, silk curtains, cambric and lace sheets and tapestry-covered stools. As for silence, Flora Tristan, visiting in 1832, said the nuns - daughters of aristocrats - were nearly as good at talking as they were at spending huge sums of money. Each had her own servant and dined with porcelain plates, damask tableclothes and silver cutlery.
When the convent opened its doors again, its anecdotes and scandals were resurrected. But don't believe it when they tell you the story of Sister Dominga, the 16-year-old who entered the convent when her betrothed left her for a rich widow, then staged her own death to escape. This beautiful young woman really did place the body of a deceased Indian woman in her convent bed one night then set the room on fire, but the whole thing occurred at another cloister in Arequipa - Santa Rosa. The Mother Superior refused to believe rumors that the young nun was really alive and living outside the cloister until Dominga sent her a message demanding return of the dowry she had paid to enter the convent.
 Once in the city, the Plaza de Armas, the 'La Compañia de Jesus' church, which has cloisters with ashlar (volcanic white stone or 'sillar") arcades, and the renowned Santa Catalina Convent should not be missed. On the outskirts of: the city some districts stand out because of their beauty, like Cayma, which temple was built in 1730, or Yanahuara, which belvedere offers a great view of the city surrounded by volcanoes, such as Cachani, 1,076 meters (3,529 feet) a.s.l.Also important are the Yura Chapel, the San Lazaro quarter the Sabandía Mill and the Añazhuayco quarries, from where the ashlar ('sillar') is extracted..
MEJIA LAGOONS
The Mejia Lagoons National Sanctuary is located on the coast of Arequipa, near the mouth of the Tambo river, 20 km (12.4 miles) south of the port of Mollendo and 150 krn (93 miles) from the city.
It is an isolated ecosystem and the only vestige, between the north of Chile and Pisco, of the ancient flooded lands that were part of the American coast, drained for agriculture for centuries. In spite of being located at sea level and 170 S latitude, the annual average temperature in the Mejía Lagoons is usually 18º C (64.40 F), under the effect of the Peruvian (Humboldt) warm stream.The lagoons are separated from the ocean by a large fringe of beaches and sandy pits. Within the protected area (690 hectares/1,704 acres), several habitats are grouped, including lagoons of different degrees of salinity, salt marsh, reed patches, salt mines and wild grass that form a complex ecosystem. This particularly valuable scenario homes 157 bird species, of which 72 are residents, 62 are regular visitors and 24 sporadic
visitors. Conservationist and investigation efforts are being made today to entirely preserve this natural treasure.
AGUADA BLANCA AND SALINAS
Behind the Misti volcano, as seen from the city, over an extensive plain, is the Aguada Blanca dam, declared a National Reserve. It is a rather shallow and artificial lake originated by the Blanco river containment. A little to the south, behind the Pichu Pichu peak, is an even larger lagoon called Salinas. These lagoons are a place for resting and nesting for a large population of birds like the colorful flamingos. Located at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, behind the Chachani peak. At about 13,120 feet this larger plain represents one of the best habitats for the protection of vicuñas. a Peruvian camelid, internationally known for its fine fleece. In Pampa Cañahuas, these animals can be seen running completely free.
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