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A land of beautiful
beaches and fertile valleys amid
sand dunes and desert plains, the Ica region embraces one
of Peru's most intriguing treasures: the Nazca Lines. The
veil of mystery that covers the huge anthropomorphic and zoomorphic
figures has baffled archaeologists for decades, and has ultimately
struck the World's curiosity and imagination. Ica, though,
offers more than just the Lines. The Paracas National Reserve
is a lovely refuge for otters, sea-lions, dolphins, and some
two hundred bird species, including penguins, cormorants,
and even condors. Equally attractive are the picturesque vineyards
of the region, where Peru's wine and renowned pisco are produced.
The world-famous Nazca Lines, part of
UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List since 1994, are located
on the outskirts of the small desert town of Nasca, some 150km
from Ica city, the department's capital. Etched into the sands
of the desert, the cryptic drawings are so large that can
be fully appreciated only from the air (and indeed, were discovered
in the late 1930s from a small aircraft). More than 70 figures
are found in the Nazca plains. Among the most well-known are
those that represent a hummingbird, a dog, a whale, a monkey,
a spider, and a pair of hands.
Many theories have been drawn as to
explain the purpose of the Nazca Lines. Maybe the most reputed,
by German archaeologist Maria Reiche, states that the lines
were part of a massive astronomical calendar. Others, more
lead by sci-fi than by science, have less rigorous interpretations:
extraterrestrial airports, etc. Tours to the Nazca Lines –in
particular flights on small planes over the site-- can be
organized through a tour operator (local or from Lima) or
through one of the large hotels in the area.
The Paracas National Reserve is a 340,000-hectare
refuge for a wide variety of animal life, both in the sea
and on the Paracas Peninsula. A 3-hour drive from Lima (250
km to the south), it's located next to the port-town of Pisco,
famous for giving its name to the Pisco brandy, Peru's national
drink. The reserve gives shelter to large populations of sea-lions,
otters, and dolphins, as well as Humboldt penguins and many
varieties of pelagic birds. Just off-shore the Peninsula,
outside the reserve area but equally protected by legislation,
stand the Ballestas islands. Large populations of sea-lions
and marine birds can be seen in the island's eroded cliffs
and rock formations.
Organized tours to visit the Paracas
National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands can be arranged
with one of the Tour operators found in Paracas and Pisco.
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