Pisco, Peru

Pisco
Plaza de Armas in 2001. Church was destroyed in the 2007 earthquake
Coat of arms
Pisco
Coordinates: 13°42′35.93″S 76°12′11.54″W / 13.7099806°S 76.2032056°W / -13.7099806; -76.2032056Coordinates: 13°42′35.93″S 76°12′11.54″W / 13.7099806°S 76.2032056°W / -13.7099806; -76.2032056
Country	Peru
Region	Ica
Province	Pisco
District	Pisco
Government
• Mayor	Jesus Felipe Echegaray Nieto
Area
• Total	3,978.19 km2 (1,535.99 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate (2015)	104,656
Demonym(s)	Pisquena(o)
Time zone	PET (UTC-5)

Pisco is a city located in the Ica Region of Peru, the capital of the Pisco Province. The city is around 9 metres (28 feet) above sea level. Pisco was founded in 1640, close to the indigenous emplacement of the same name. Pisco originally prospered because of its nearby vineyards and became noted for its grape brandy or pisco which used to be exported from its port. Pisco has an estimated population of 133,926 (est. 2013).

Pisco is a Quechua word that means "bird." The area is often visited because of the concentration of marine animals and birds at the Paracas National Reserve, or the Peruvian Galápagos. At the reserve there are the Islas Ballestas, a collection of islands which are off limits to people, but boat tours can get close to. The Chincha Islands are also near its coast. Many bird species can be seen in the islands including pelicans, penguins, cormorants, Peruvian boobies, and Inca terns, as well as sea lions, turtles, dolphins, and whales.

Another attraction in the area is El Candelabro, a giant lamp dug in the rough sand in the method used by the creators of the Nazca Lines.

El Candelabro, Ballestas Islands

Pelicans, Ballestas Islands

Sea Lion, Ballestas Islands

Local taxi station

In the area where Pisco sits flourished one of the major ancient civilizations in Peru, the Paracas culture. Due to its ease of access, and its crossroads to the Andes the Spaniards may have considered making Pisco the capital, before they decided on Lima.