Ica (city)

Infobox City
official_name = Ica
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
motto =

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imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Plaza de Armas at night

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flag_size = 80px
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image_shield = sin escudo.svg
shield_size = 80px
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mapsize = 200px
map_caption = Location in Peru
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = PER
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Ica
subdivision_type2 = Province
subdivision_name2 = Ica
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type = Democracy
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Mariano Nascimiento
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1563
established_title2 =
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population_total = 219,856 (2007)
population_density_km2 =
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timezone = PET
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = PET
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 14
latm = 04
lats =
latNS = S
longd = 75
longm = 44
longs =
longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 406
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 56
website = [http://www.muniica.gob.pe www.muniica.gob.pe]
footnotes =

The city of Ica is the capital of the Ica Region in southern Peru. It was founded in 1563 by Spanish conquistador Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera. As of 2005, it had an estimated population of over 219,856, however, the city suffered extensive damage and loss of life during the 2007 Peru earthquake.

Location

The city is located on the Ica River about 300 km to the south of Lima along the desert coast of southern Peru. Further south along the Pan-American Highway lies the city of Nazca.

History

The city was founded in 1563 by Gerónimo Luis de Cabrera as "Villa de Valverde". On August 15, 2007, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurred off the coast of Peru, severely affecting Ica. [ James Gancer [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/peru_quake] , [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/08/16/peru.earthquake/index.html] ]

Transportation

Ica can be reached from Lima by the Pan-American Highway. Due to the earthquake, currently the Pan-American Highway is damaged and the city of Ica is in a state of emergency.

Tourism

Ica and surrounding areas are the traditional source of Pisco brandy. Ica is home to Museo Regional de Ica, a local museum with many exhibits. On display are pre-Columbian mummies with elongated heads bearing evidence of trepanning. There are also furniture, paintings and artifacts from the Spanish colonial era.

Ica is an important agricultural region, where grapes, cotton, asparagus, olives and other produce is cultivated. It is known by Peruvians as the land of the sun, and although there are the 4 seasons, the warm dry climate makes it feels like summer year-round. Natives also claim the climate of the city can help in the curing of asthma.

References

External links

* [http://www.trekker.co.il/english/peru-ica-huacachina.htm Ica and the Huacachina Oasis]