Quick facts
Arequipa overview
Arequipa (orange) and the other large cities of Peru
Arequipa lies in Peru at 16.4°S, 71.54°W, about 2,397 m above sea level. The local time zone is America/Lima (UTC-5); GeoNames classifies it as a regional capital.
It is smaller than Callao (1,226,200) and larger than Trujillo (1,067,700). The largest city in Peru is Lima with 7,737,002 people; the capital, Lima, has 7,737,002.
The national capital, Lima, is about 765 km away; the nearest large city is Puno, 173 km from Arequipa.
Peru as a whole has a live population of 35,023,168 (+1% a year) and ranks #48 of 238 countries — see the Peru population page for the full statistics and the Peru atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Arequipa
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Puno Puno | 173 km | 128,637 |
| Juliaca Puno | 180 km | 245,675 |
Largest cities in Peru
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Arequipa?
Arequipa has about 1,195,700 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Arequipa the capital of Peru?
No. The capital of Peru is Lima (7,737,002 people), about 765 km away. Arequipa is the 3rd largest city of the country and a regional capital.
How big is Arequipa compared with the rest of Peru?
Its 1,195,700 residents are 3.4% of the 35,023,168 people living in Peru today. Lima is larger with 7,737,002 people.
Where is Arequipa?
In Peru, at latitude -16.4 and longitude -71.54, 2,397 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Puno (173 km), Juliaca (180 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Arequipa Population 2026 — Peru. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/peru/arequipa/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/peru/arequipa/">Arequipa Population 2026 — Peru</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.