The Coast Of Peru And Its Beautiful Cities
The coast of Peru, also known as Chala, is a dream place since the landscape favors architecture in every way. It is a beautiful vision that invites you to explore it and investigate its culture. Certainly, South American destinations never stop being interesting when it comes to traveling.
The imposing coast of Peru
The Peruvian geography is full of incredible landscapes and the coast is just one example of it. Not for nothing is it considered one of the eight most representative natural regions in the country. The coast of Peru covers more than 2000 kilometers in length, although the coastline as such reaches 3080 kilometers.
The imposing and wonderful landscape of La Chala is home to many cities with a very unique appearance. Here are some of the most memorable ones. You will see that in them there are constructions that date from the times of the conquest and the colony; therefore, they have a certain “stately” air.
1. Arequipa
Arequipa is the second most populated city in Peru after its capital, Lima. As well as it is the second most industrialized. It was founded in 1540 under the name of Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunta. It is not by the sea, but it is the capital of a department that is very close to the coast and whose view is beautiful.
In September of the year 1541, the monarch Carlos V ordered that it be called the City of Arequipa. It stands out for its viceregal and republican religious architecture, a product of the mixture between autochthonous and European culture. And it should be noted that, from the beginning, it became one of the most important cities, in terms of economic development.
Arequipa, also known as The White City, is able to amaze both Peruvians and tourists. Its beautiful and very well preserved historic center was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Beyond the capital, the department of Arequipa has more than 500 kilometers of coastline and wonderful beaches.
The beauty and history of the coast of Peru
2. Callao
This beautiful city located in the center-west of Peru was founded just two years after Lima, in the year 1537. Like other Peruvian cities, Callao has a spectacular historical center that is very interesting to visit to appreciate the samples of Inca culture and post-conquest mixing.
It still retains the beauty of the old narrow cobbled streets, historic squares, beautiful old balconies and much more. Some of the most outstanding historical buildings are: José Gálvez Square, Independencia Square, Callao Cathedral and Callao Mother Church.
The Real Felipe fortress was built in the 18th century and it is a military building whose objective was to defend the town against possible attacks by pirates and corsairs. This old and imposing building is one of the most important tourist attractions in Callao.
The district of La Punta is a peninsula shaped like a point that protrudes from Callao. This district is a very striking sector since it is home to most of the residences of the upper and middle classes, as well as numerous venues and luxurious nightclubs.
3. Lima
Lima is the capital of Peru, as well as the main economic and cultural center of the country. It has a privileged location on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and, therefore, an enviable landscape. A beautiful city where nature, history and modernity merge into one.
This city was founded in 1535 by the Spanish, although it is known that this territory was previously occupied by pre-Inca settlements. Some of the places that you cannot miss are the monuments and buildings that make up the historic center of Lima.
The spectacular historic center of Lima was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1991 and, since then, it has become one of the main tourist attractions in the country.
The historic center of Lima is made up of more than 600 monuments. Among this large number of buildings, the numerous balconies from the colonial era stand out. The Plaza Mayor, the Plaza San Martín, the Casona de la Universidad San Marcos, the Convent of Santo Domingo, the Fifth Dam and the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition are just some of the historical places that you can visit in this magnificent city.
Other cities of importance that make up the coast of Peru are: Chiclayo, Pisco, Ica, Chimbote, Piura, Sullana, Tacna and Trujillo. All with beautiful natural landscapes that mix with its rich history and culture. It is not surprising that Peru is one of those countries that fall in love as soon as they meet.
