Mollendo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mollendo is a town bordering the Pacific Ocean in southern Peru. It is located in the Arequipa Region and is the capital of both the Islay Province and the Mollendo District. Mollendo was the main port in the Peruvian southern coast until Matarani was developed about 50 years ago; the port of Mollendo only serves fishermen for the local economy currently and all the commercial shipping is done through Matarani 12 kilometers north; the old port is in ruins. Mollendo's population more than doubles during the summer, mostly from people from Arequipa. The railroad used to run a passenger train daily, but a good highway connects Mollendo to the Panamerican Highway now and the train now only runs the summer express that goes down from Arequipa on Saturday and returns on Sunday; the beach is the main attraction, eventhough it is visited by the Humboldt Current that brings cold water from the South Pole.
Mollendo exports wool and has industries producing cement, textiles, canned fish, and cheese. It is also a popular beach resort. According to the 1993 census, Mollendo has a population of 26,724 persons.
[edit] Railway
The town is served by the standard gauge Southern Railway of Peru, which connects with Cuzco and Puno.
[edit] Notable people from Mollendo
- Abimael Guzman, Leader of Maoist movement: "Shining Path"
[edit] External links
- (Spanish) Directory of Links Mollendo
- Mollendo Gallery Mollendo Photo Gallery
- (Spanish) Information of Mollendo
