The Arequipa region is made up of eight provinces (Arequipa, Camaná, Caravelí, Caylloma, Condesuyos, Islay and La Unión) and has 109 districts. It has an area of 63,345 square kilometers (km2), representing 4.9% of the national territory. In 2019, according to INEI, the region's GDP totaled S/. 31'443,428.

The city was founded on August 15, 1540, under the name of "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunta" in the name of the Marquis Francisco Pizarro, and on September 22, 1541 the monarch Carlos V ordered it to be called "City of Arequipa" through a Royal Decree.

During the viceregal period, it acquired importance and was recognized by the Spanish Crown through titles such as "Muy Noble y Muy Leal" (Very Noble and Very Loyal) and "Fidelísima" (Most Loyal).

In the republican history of Peru, the city of Arequipa played an important role, as it was declared "Capital of the Republic" during the government of Lizardo Montero. Its historic center extends over an area of 332 hectares and was declared by Unesco as "Cultural Heritage of Humanity". For its diverse scenic and cultural spaces, it is a Receiving City of National and International Tourism.

The region has established itself as an important industrial and commercial center in Peru and ranks fourth nationally in the Regional Competitiveness Index  2020, prepared by the Peruvian Institute of Economics.

Its industrial activity includes manufactured products and the production of export-quality camelid wool textiles. The region has close trade links with Chile, Bolivia and Brazil and with the cities connected by the Southern Railway, as well as with the port of Matarani.

The climate of the city of Arequipa is predominantly dry in winter, autumn and spring due to low atmospheric humidity, it is also semi-arid due to effective precipitation and temperate due to thermal conditions.

Arequipa, known as the "White City", was built almost entirely of ashlar. It is located 2,325 meters above sea level, in the desert mountains of the Andes, and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and Picchu Picchu; and its territory is rugged due to the presence of the Andes Mountains in the western part of the continent.

The Misti volcano is impressive, rising above a serene countryside with springs, old mills (in Sabandía), thermal baths (in Yura and Socosani), with small Andalusian-style alleys (Yanahuara) and, not far away, a village rooted in a stony hill (Sachaca). The use of ashlar stone (volcanic mineral) in the construction of temples, convents and mansions, gives the city a peculiar aspect. Other tourist attractions include the Lagunas de Mejia National Sanctuary, the Sumbay caves, the Imata stone forest and the beaches of Mejia, Mollendo and Camana.

Arequipa's food is famous for its flavor and has greater diversity compared to other departments of our country, thanks to the wide variety of food available in its countryside and valleys, as well as its wide coastline. One of its peculiar characteristics is the spicy food in an infinite number of combinations, which is why restaurants selling this food are called "picanterias".