Moquegua is a peaceful town in the narrow valley of the Moquegua River and enjoys a sub-tropical climate. Strategically placed near the intersection of the Panamericana and the paved road to Lake Titicaca and Bolivia, it offers a full range of services and is a more tranquil alternative to Tacna for breaking a journey through this area. The town was formerly known as Santa Catalina de Guadalcazar but reverted to its original name, which means ‘silent place’ in Quechua. This could be due to the rather taciturn nature of its inhabitants. The Inca Emperor, Mayta Capac, sent his captains to carry out a pacifying occupation of the fertile valleys around Moquegua. They founded two settlements, Moquegua and Cuchuna, which is thought to be the site of present-day Torata. Today, most of the valley below the city grows grapes and the upper part grows avocados (paltas), wheat, maize, potatoes, some cotton and fruits. Northeast from Moquegua is Cuajone, one of the most important copper mines in Peru.
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