Arequipa's location below the snow capped mountains combined with the unique sillar stone architecture, make it one of the most beautiful cities in Peru. The El Misty volcanoe behind the city to the northeast is an awesome sight from the Plaza de Armas. It can be seen over the Cathedral, along with the peaks of Chachani and Pichu Pichu. The
light colored colonial buildings which set Arequipa apart from other Peruvian cities, are made from sillar. This is a volcanic rock which is particularly bright when the sunlight strikes it. For this reason Arequipa is often referred to as the white city.
Arequipa was founded in the 1500s shortly after the Spanish conquest. Today it is the commercial center for southern Peru. Arequipa's historical city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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