Location and Geography: The department of Ica is one of the 24 departments of Peru. Its capital is the city of Ica, which is situated on the banks of the Ica River. This river irrigates a fertile plain in the middle of the desert. They grow grapes, asparagus, date palms, cotton, and more, which make the valley one of the most successful cases of agricultural exportation. The Huacachina Oasis, 5 km from the city of ICA, is surrounded by large sand dunes where one can practice "sandboarding".
Ica has been a wine producing center, producing primarily pisco, since the arrival of the Spanish. There also exist tanneries and textile industry.
It is mostly a coastal department; however there are parts in the sierra. It is bordered to the north by Lima, to the south by Arequipa, to the east with the departments Huancavelica and Ayacucho, and to the west by the Grau Sea. Because of its strategic location, it is an exit point to the coast for the industries of the Ayacucho, Cusco and Huancavelica departments.
Altitude: 406m
Access Ways: The Pan-American Highway is the principal route used in the province; the city of Ica is at Km. 303. There is constant cargo and passenger traffic from the city of Lima and other close by departments (Chincha, Pisco, Palpa, Nasca, Marcona). There is a maintained highway to the faraway districts and annexes and also to the Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions. There is also an airfield.
History:
The city of Ica, founded on June 17, 1563 under the name Villa de Valverde, was later named San Jeronimo de Ica for the Spanish Capitan Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera. In 1640, the city received its current name under order of the Viceroy Jeronimo F. de Cabrera, Count of Cinchon.
Culture and Traditions:
In Ica, the people conserve their coastal Peruvian traditions: The Peruvian Paso Horses, cock fighting and the development of the Afro-Peruvian music. Ica maintains the traditional Peruvian dances of African origin such as the festejo and the alcatraz. Moreover, they continue the practice of traditional medicine.
Nowadays, the economy is based in agriculture, tourism and a booming wine production industry, which includes pisco, a brandy of a grape found in Peru.
ATTRACTIONS - ICA
Maria Reiche Regional Museum:
It exhibits a collection of pieces from the Paracas, Nasca, Huari, Ica and Inca cultures. Additionally, one can view examples of linens and furniture from the colonial and republic periods.
Huacachina Lake: Located 5 km from the city of Ica, Huacachina is a place to pause and relax for the locals and visitors. It is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert surrounded by palm trees and huarangos. Part of the Compañía de Jesús, it was constructed in the 1700s. The Church shows two styles: neoclassical for the exterior and baroque for the interior.
Sanctuary of the Señor de Luren: Considered the patron of the city of Ica. In the neoclassical style, the temple has three vestibules and a pointed clock tower. Every year, thousands of devotees meet for the processions during Holy Week and the third week of October.
Bolivar House: The house of the Marquez de Torre Hermoza, one of the few examples of viceregal architecture which has survived the earthquakes and urban growth. Of note is the stone rococo doorway. It is known as the Bolivar House because the Liberator Simon Bolivar stayed there when he passed through the city.
Wineries: Of note are the wineries and haciendas of Vista Alegre, Tacama and Ocucaje where they make recognized high quality wines and picsos. Many of these wineries still use procedures and instruments from the colonial era to distill the wine.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
The Town of Cachiche:
4 km south of the city, famous for its witches who cure all kinds of wrongs and hurts. Close to the town, an image of the illusive witch has been mounted in a Huarango tree.
Barlovento Beach: A long sandy beach along the ocean, ideal for camping, fishing and ecotourism. The Carhuas beach is close by. It can be reached from Ica by 4x4 through the desert.
Stone Museum: Founded by the collector Dr. Javier Cabrera, the museum houses a collection of mysterious and diverse stones engraved with scenes of human activities.
Weather: Ica has a warm desert and dry subtropical climate. With an average temperature around 22°C, the local weather is dry and sunny during the winter months. The winter nights are the coldest, getting down to 7 or 8°C. The summer is warmer and dryer than the central coast and temperatures can reach 36°C in the city of Ica which is located inside the coast. The presence of paracas (strong winds) is very common during the summer months.
When to Travel: Due to its warm weather, it can be visited year round.
