Province of La Union in Arequipa

The province of La Unión in Arequipa is the province that seems least known of the 8 that make up this entire region. However, it presents one of the most impressive geographical formations, we are referring to the Cotahuasi Canyon that little by little more tourists are arriving to this beautiful region for the benefit of the inhabitants. La Unión borders exactly with the regions of Cusco, Apurímac and Ayacucho. In this region you can find a large amount of flora and fauna.



La Union new tourist destination

1 The Cotahuasi canyon in Arequipa

The Cotahuasi Canyon in Arequipa is one of the deepest canyons on the planet. Like the Colca, it offers hiking, thermal baths, landscapes, sports and history.

The Cotahuasi canyon in Arequipa

La Union important tourist center

La Unión is part of the 8 provinces that make up the entire Arequipa region. This province is made up of 11 districts where Cotahuasi stands out as its capital, which is home to beautiful tourist destinations. From this place you can easily reach the deepest canyon in all of America. Throughout the province you can find really beautiful panoramic views. Since in some areas you can find pre-Hispanic platforms. In some cases they still use this system of agriculture.

It is estimated that more than 12,827 people live in the province of La Unión. The area of the entire province of La Unión is 4,746 square kilometers. The population data is thanks to the census carried out in 2017. In some of the populated centers, the command of the Quechua language is still maintained.

The most important river in this region is the one that crosses it and forms the aforementioned canyon. This place also allows the habitat of many species of animals and plants. One way to see all of what we have just mentioned is to follow the tourism services that include hiking activities and outdoor walks.

The districts that make up the province of La Unión are Cotahuasi, Alca, Charcana, Huaynacotas, Pampamarca, Puyca, Quechualla, Sayla, Tauría, Tomepampa and Toro. All the districts belong to the heights of Arequipa and do not have access to the sea like other provinces. This province was created in the year 1835. Every year different religious activities are carried out, such as the festivity of the Virgen del Carmen, Señor Exaltación, San Martín de Porres and the Immaculate Conception.

Where is La Union?

La Unión is located northwest of the city of Arequipa, bordering the regions of Cusco, Ayacucho and Apurímac. Some say that it was for this reason that it received that name. Since it would be the nexus of the aforementioned regions with Arequipa. This promotes an exchange of resources and therefore generates an economic flow that is quite important for all regions.

How to get to La Union?

It is located northwest of the city of Arequipa, the road that you have to follow from Arequipa is accessible and you can find many buses that leave from the Arequipa terminal. Before reaching the province of La Unión, it will pass through the provinces of Cotahuasi, Condesuyos and Castilla. This highway also connects with the Panamericana Sur. Another way to get to La Unión is from the province of Santo Tomas in Cusco for a trip of more than 7 hours.

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Brief history of La Union

Throughout the Cotahuasi valley, some regions led by curacas were established. These tribes probably inhabited this place from 10,000 to 8,000 B.C. Later, it is estimated that the domain was imposed by the Wari culture, which since 500 BC was able to conquer large territories that include the territories of present-day Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Arequipa and the South of Cusco.

Later according to history, it is estimated that the Wari culture was conquered by the most warlike culture and best prepared for confrontations. It is for this reason that they were able to wipe out all the warriors and survivors in the Cotahuasi Valley area.

During the Inca expansion, exactly from the fourth Inca Mayta Cápac, it crossed all these valleys that would later belong to the Contisuyo. To achieve a more versatile outpost, a series of bridges was built. He dominated all this territory together with his army of more than 12,000 men. This Inca was in charge of subduing these tribes prioritizing peace. Later, once they belonged to the Tawantinsuyo, they were relocated and received new names. It is said that, after the arrival of the Spanish, the entire region that today belongs to the province of La Unión, managed to resist the conquest for more than 3 years.

Once the conquest and dominance of the Spanish colony over all these territories was resolved. The provinces and districts began to be delimited. Also during the colonial period, many agricultural lands were abandoned because the settlers were taken to the mines. Years later, during the Republican era, the provinces were delimited again after a confrontation that promoted the separation of La Unión from the jurisdiction of the township of Chumbivilcas.

Tourist attractions in La Unión that are mandatory places to visit

  • Cotahuasi Canyon, It is currently a Nature Reserve and one of the most beautiful on the entire planet. Thanks to all its biodiversity that houses a large amount of flora and fauna, it is recognized as such.
  • Handicrafts, In most of the districts of this province you can find many handicrafts made by the same inhabitants.
  • Puyas Forest, Within the province of La Unión you can find a large number of raymondi puyas.
  • Archaeological remains, Throughout the region you can find some places where you can see Waris and Inca constructions.

Climate

La Unión is a province with a fairly cold climate. Temperatures can range from 0°C to 24°C. The increase in temperature occurs in some sectors and in different ways. For example, in the case of the highest areas, the temperature can rise only in some sectors. Normally there are strong winds or torrential rains.

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Discover more places about La Union

La Unión presents a large number of landscapes. These landscapes are configured thanks to the diversity of flora that allow the coexistence of different forests that are suitable for low temperatures and at the same time manage to contain a large amount of water in the subsoils. Another factor of the beautiful landscapes is given by the presence of the rocky slopes that serve for the flourishing of some plants and as a home for some animals such as birds and rodents.

In the higher altitude areas there are ideal spaces for animals such as the condor, the puma, the fox, the Andean cat and other species of birds, mammals and fish. Likewise, there are bofedales or plateaus of great extensions ideal for migratory birds. Actually, all this space is ideal to get to know much of the nature of all of Peru.