Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region. It's Peru's second most important city (after Lima), and the second most popular among tourists (after Cuzco). The city was founded on August 15, 1540 by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal as "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción". During the Colonial period, Arequipa became highly important for its economic prosperity and for its loyalty to the Spanish Crown.