Geography of Arequipa
Arequipa, Peru, the capital of Arequipa department. It is about 460 miles (740 km) southeast of Lima. Flanked by high Andean peaks, the city lies 7,600 feet (2,320 m) above sea level in a fertile river valley. Arequipa is the commercial, industrial, and cultural center of southern Peru. It is on the Pan American Highway and has rail and air service. San Agustin National University and the Catholic University of Santa Maria are here. The Spanish founded Arequipa on the site of an ancient Inca city in 1540.
Population: 624,500.