Explore the province of Islay

1 Mejia Lagoons in Mollendo

This famous lagoon is inside the Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary in Mollendo, Arequipa. It is one of the best bird observatories in all of Peru.

Mejia Lagoons in Mollendo

Islay Province

Islay is one of the eight provinces that make up the department of Arequipa, in southern Peru. It is only 123 kilometers by road from the city of Arequipa.

Its name ‘Islay’ is due to the highest hill in the city of Mollendo, its capital. The other districts that make up the province are: Cocachacra, Deán Valdivia, Islay, Mejía and Punta de Bombón. In total there are six districts.

The province was created in 1879. It covers an area of 3886.49 hectares. According to the 2017 census, its population is 52,034 inhabitants.

Their lands are fertile. Agricultural production is rice, olive and sugar. It also highlights the raising of cattle and the production of milk and derivatives. Likewise, fishing activities and tourist activities should be noted.

The history of the province of Islay dates back to colonial times. A large part of the southern coast of Arequipa was part of a hacienda and parish, which disappeared due to the eruption of the Huaynaputina volcano in 1600.

The province has only one basin, the Tambo River. It has a subtropical geography that is located between 0 to 1,200 meters above sea level. Mollendo, its capital, is located at 27 meters above sea level.

The main tourist attractions are: the Mejía lagoon, the Cristo de la Punta, the Loberas, Las Lomas and Cruz de Fierro islands as well as the beaches of Mollendo.

Where is?

The province of Islay is located on the southern coast of Peru, in the department of Arequipa.

It limits to the north with the city of Arequipa, to the south with the Pacific Ocean, to the west with the province of Camaná and to the east with the provinces of Ilo, General Sánchez Cerro and Mariscal Nieto (the latter two in the department of Moquegua ).

Its capital, the city of Mollendo, is located at 27 meters above sea level.

How to get to Islay from Arequipa?

To get to the province of Islay from the city of Arequipa you must follow these steps:

• From any part of the city of Arequipa you must take a taxi or public transport bus to the land terminal on Los Incas avenue.
• There you must board a public transport or collective taxi to the city of Mollendo. The trip takes 2 hours on average. The cost ranges from 15 to 25 Peruvian soles.
• In Mollendo, the capital of the province of Islay, you can take other public transport to the rest of the districts.

Islay history

In the pre-Inca period, the Chiribaya culture (900 AD – 1,450 AD) was located in the Tambo Valley, occupying large areas such as the current districts of Ilo, La Punta de Bombón, Cocachacra, Mejía, Mollendo, Dean Valdivia and even the Tacna region and northern Chile.

As part of the occupation of the chiribayas, archaeological remains can currently be seen in the provinces of Challascapi, Cocachacra and Dean Valdivia.

Before the Inca occupation, the territory of Islay was occupied by various ethnic groups. It is worth mentioning the: tampus, the chulis and the monkeys.

In Inca times, these ethnic groups were annexed to the Tahuantinsuyo empire. Even today several names of districts and provinces have Quechua origin, the main language of the Incas.

In colonial times (1,600) there was a very strong eruption of the Huaynaputina volcano. This affected crops, farms and parishes, which disappeared.

In the republican period, in 1879, the province of Islay was created (although this date varies according to various historians). In the 19th century, Mollendo became one of the main ports in the country.

Today, the province offers various tourist attractions that are worth visiting. Its beaches, its delicious gastronomy and its natural landscapes stand out.

What tourist attractions does the province of Islay have?

• The Mejia Lagoon – The Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary is an area protected by the Peruvian State located in the province of Islay (in the provinces of Mejía and Dean Valdivia). It is a natural space made up of beaches, rivers, lagoons and mountains that are the habitat of a wide variety of birds.
• The Christ of the Point – This tourist attraction is a viewpoint located on the Bandurrias hill in the district of Punta de Bombón. From this statue of Christ you have a privileged view of the city and the sea. It was built in 1998 inspired by the Christ the Redeemer of Brazil.
• The Loberas Islands – This group of small islands are located in the Islay district and are inhabited by marine species such as the sea lion, the Humboldt penguin, the gannet and more. The visit there is by boat from the port.
• The beaches of Mollendo – The city of Mollendo offers some of the best beaches in southern Peru. The First Beach, the Second Beach, the Catarindo Beach and the Bolognesi Beach stand out. The best time to go is from January to March (summer). During your visit, take advantage of enjoying marine gastronomy.

Climate

Islay has a temperate desert climate with temperatures that vary depending on the time of year. From May to November, the average temperature is 16ºC. while from December to April, it is 24ºC.

Interesting facts about Islay

Every January 1 in the district of Punta de Bombón the festival is celebrated in honor of the Lord of the Forsaken, the patron saint of the place. This party was established in 1845. That is, it already has more than 150 years of existence. In the province of Islay you can enjoy typical dishes of the area such as: chambeado, vicuña rice, cooked shrimp ceviche, scrambled beans with shrimp, toasted corn zango or macha sweat.