Arequipa, Peru

City of Arequipa, Peru (www.lifeofguangzhou.com/ Yang Xiaonan)

 
Signers: Mayor of Guangzhou Mr. Zhang Guangning, Mayor of Arequipa Mr. Yamel Romero

Place of Agreement Signing: Arequipa

Date of Agreement Signing: Oct. 27, 2004

Arequipa was named the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City) because of its many beautiful buildings made of ashlar (Chechani's petrified volcanic ash).The city is nestled between the sea and the mountains in southern Peru. Arequipa rests 2,336 meters above sea level on the foothills of three volcanoes -- Chechani, Pichu Pichu and Misti.The city has a mild climate where the sun shines most of the year.The population of the region (approximately 600,000) reflects Arequipa's rich heritage with its mixture of white, mestizo and aboriginal peoples.

Arequipa is predominantly tourist-related because of the geographical diversity and historical importance of the region. Arequipa also functions as a critical center for communications, economic growth and cultural and political leadership in Peru. Other products of the region include primarily textiles, agrarian goods and metallurgical products for which Arequipa has been working progressively to create international markets.

 
Guangzhou Mayor Mr. Zhang Guangning (second from left) happily dances with the locals and and the Mayor of
Arequipa Yamel Romero during his visit to the Peruvian city in 2004. (www.lifeofguangzhou.com/ Yang Xiaonan)

 
Guangzhou Mayor Mr. Zhang Guangning and Arequipa Mayor Mr. Yamel Romero attend the celebration
for the launch of Guangzhou Park in Arequipa in 2004. (www.lifeofguangzhou.com/ Yang Xiaonan)

 
Arequipa's history dates back as far as 5000-6000 BC as recorded in cave paintings and some 400 archaeological monuments. Conquered by the Incas in the 15th century, Arequipa served as as an important supplier of agrarian products to the Empire. Arequipa served as a bastion of Peru's independence in the early 19th century and has extended that tradition into the 20th and 21st centuries as Arequipanians continue to play major roles in the country's political and cultural circles.

Arequipa became Sister City with Guangzhou in 2004.It is the 15th sister city of Guangzhou, and since then Guangzhou has sister cities all over the five continents. Zhang Guangning, Mayor of Guangzhou, leading a government delegation, went to Arequipa and signed the sister city agreement with Mayor of Arequipa.The two cities have strengthed communication in many aspects such as economy and culture. And "Guangzhou Days" will be held in Arequipa. Guangzhou has presented a copper sculpture to Arequipa as a witness of the friendship within two cites. Arequipa has presented a sculpture named as "Bullfight" to Guangzhou. This sculpture, settled in Yuntai Garden in Guangzhou, symbolized the youth, vigor and friendship.