This is the coastal region of Peru, following the country's Pacific
coastline from north to south and thus forming a long narrow region
between the ocean and the mountain ranges of the Andes. Although some
places are fertile, most of La Costa consists of dry and sometimes
extremely arid desert regions. Always thought that the Sahara was the
driest place on earth? Wrong! There are places in the south, near the
Chilean border, which are even drier. In some places it doesn't rain for
years. The landscapes can be veryspectacular though, with immense sand
dunes and stone-deserts. A veryinteresting example of the sand desert
can be found in Huacachina, a green oasis completely surrounded by sand
dunes.
Although there is plenty of rain in the Amazon basin, it rarely reaches
La Costa because of the barrier of the Andes mountains inbetween. But
since many small rivers flow from the Andes into the coastal desert,
there are also fertile and green places. For instance Lima, in fact in
the middle of the desert, doesn't seem to be a desert city at all, and
there is no lack of fresh water.
South of Lima is Lunahuana, where the Cañete River is a popular place
for wild-water canoeing. Further south alongthe coast are the cities
Pisco and Ica. Very mysterious are the Nazca lines. An interesting place
for wildlife is the Paracas NationalPark.
Around Trujilloand Piura in the North are some beautiful beaches. It is
also a popular place for windsurfing. The oceanwater is clean and
crystal-clear at most places. Also in the northare the cities Chiclayo
and Tumbes.
