Built on an oasis of the Chilina river and in the foot hills of the volcanic mountain range, Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. Almost a million people live here and it is an industrious city, with several alpaca fleece garment and textile companies which are located here. It is a very traditional, and sometimes monastic town which has preserved its colonial character. The color of the lava produced by the Misti is the natural building material, and so it is also known as the White city.
The tranquil atmosphere of Arequipa, with its terraced fields and its long standing traditions, sometimes are disrupted by the passionate behavior of its people. One poet has said, “not in vain you are born under the influence of a volcano”, so Arequipeños are known for the revolutions they sparked in the country.
