Iquitos is the capital of the Department of Loreto and the biggest city inthe Peruvian Amazon. Practically an Island, Iquitos is bordered on two sides by the Nanay and Itaya Rivers, affluents of the Amazon, and on its third side faces the mighty Amazon River.
In the past, this part of Western Amazonia was populated by diverse tribes such as the Boras, Yaguas, Cocamas, Iquitos, Huitotos and Orejones.
There are several versions of the origin of the city of Iquitos. In one, Jesuit missionaries were the founding fathers. In another version, Huambisa Indians expelled Peruvian settlers from their colony in Borja, on the Maranon River, and these settlers then floated downriver to found Iquitos.
IQUITOS was of great importance during the Rubber Boom years of 1880-1912, due to the enormous wealth generated by the extraction of latex. This was an era of ostentation, and during this time, the Amazon in general became a destination for fortune hunters of all kinds.
THE AMAZON RIVER, called the king of rivers, has a longitude of 6762 kilometers. It’s the longest and widest river in the world, and the Amazon basin contains more fresh water than any other place on Earth.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF IQUITOS:
The central square of Iquitos, known as the Plaza de Armas, has several interesting sights. The Iron House (or Casa Eiffel) can be seen on one corner. Designed and built by the celebrated French Architect Eiffel, it was shipped to Iquitos and assembled in 1889.
Also on the main square is the Casa de Barro, a two story building with a wooden balcony, which was used as a rubber warehouse by none other than the famous rubber baron Carlos Fermin Fitzcarrald.
Along the Malecon Tarapaca (the riverfront promenade) one can appreciate the majestic Amazon, and the traditional buildings of the Rubber Boom era, decorated with intricate tiles imported from Portugal. The Amazonian Museum is located in the Prefecture, with a fascinating exhibit of life casts of indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin. Above this museum is located the Amazonian Library, a specialized library with topics related to Amazonia.
Walking away from the center of town along the riverfront, one arrives at the neighborhood of Belen, which is worth a visit for its bustling market. The Pasaje Paquito, is a block long street within the market where medicinal plants and other curiosities of the jungle are sold, including jungle liquors. Parts of Belen convert into floating neighborhoods of rafts and canoes as the Itaya River’s waters rise during the rainy season.
IQUITOS ENVIRONS:
Outside of town, there are many quick and fun getaways. The Quistococha Zoo and lake is about 20 minutes from the Plaza on the Iquitos-Nauta highway. Much improved in the last few years, the zoo offers visitors the chance to see species of native fauna, including jaguars, monkeys and the biggest Amazonian fish species, the paiche.
MUSEUMS:
THE AMAZONIAM MUSEUMS: Here one can find an interesting collection of fiberglass life cast of indigenous peoples of the different ethnicities of the region, in traditional garb.
AMAZON LIBRARY: Specialized in regional topics.
QUISTOCOCHA TOURIST COMPLEX: 15 minutes from the city, interesting zoo and aquarium with species of native fauna. It has restaurants boats & a small museum.
NANAY BEACHES: 15 minutes from the city, an ideal place to take a dip in the river bay crafts. Accessible by pared road.
AMAZONIAN SPECIES:
The Paiche, the pink dolphin, the charapa turtle a local simbol.
LOCATION:
Peru, is located in South America,
Iquitos, is in the departamente of Loreto.
LANGUAGE:
The language of common use is the SPANISH.
CURRENCY:
The official currency is the New Sun.
RELIGION:
Catholicism is most widely practiced.
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