Mug Shot — «Arequipa - Andean Condor»

From Arequipa, Peru

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Mug Details #3676

Starbucks City Mug Arequipa - Andean Condor
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Arequipa is the capital and largest city of the province of Arequipa, and the seat of the Constitutional Court and the Legal Capital of Peru. Also known as the White City, it is the second most populous city in Peru, reaching 850.000 inhabitants by 2012. Arequipa is an important industrial and commercial center of Peru and due to its industrial activity is as the second most industrialized city in the country. Its industrial activity includes manufactured products and export quality camelid wool textiles; the city has close trade ties with Chile, Bolivia and Brazil, with cities connected by the Southern Railway and with the port of Matarani. The city was founded on 15 August 1540, under the name of 'Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción" in the name of the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro and on 22 September 1541 King Charles V in a Royal Decree ordered that it be called the "City of Arequipa." In the colonial period it became important for its outstanding economic role, and is characterized by faithfulness to the Spanish Crown, received titles like "Very Noble and Loyal" and "Faithful" by the Crown. In the republican history of Peru the city acquired greater prominence in politics, being the focus of popular rebellions, and has also been home to many prominent Peruvian intellectual, political, and religious figures. In the Republican era it was awarded the title of "Heroica ciudad de lo libres de Arequipa". Its historic center is spread over an area of 332 hectares and was declared by UNESCO as "World Cultural Heritage"; the historical and monumental heritage, along with many scenic and cultural sites, make the city a national and international tourist destination. Its religious, colonial, and republican architecture mixes European and native characteristics, into an unique style called "Escuela arequipeña", the influence of which reached Potosi, Bolivia.

The Andean Condor is a species of South American bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae and is the only member of the genus Vultur. Found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America, the Andean Condor has a wingspan of up to 3.2 m. It is a large black vulture with a ruff of white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white patches on the wings. The head and neck are nearly featherless, and are a dull red color, which may flush and therefore change color in response to the bird's emotional state. In the male, there is a wattle on the neck and a large, dark red comb or caruncle on the crown of the head. Unlike most birds of prey, the male is larger than the female. The condor is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion. It prefers large carcasses, such as those of deer or cattle. It reaches sexual maturity at five or six years of age and nests at elevations of up to 5,000 m, generally on inaccessible rock ledges. One or two eggs are usually laid. It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 100 years old in captivity. The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador, and plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the Andean regions. The Andean Condor is considered near threatened by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss and by secondary poisoning from carcasses killed by hunters. Captive breeding programs have been instituted in several countries.
One of most spectaculous condor observation points is Colca Canyon near to Arequipa - a famous destination for many tourists visiting Peru.

photo by lucky robles
edited by mobydick74

  Peru, Arequipa, MIC

Karma: 17 Added by argicgr 10 Comments

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