Population
Climate
Gastronomy
Economy

 

POPULATION

A total of 711,932 inhabitants live in Ica.

 

CLIMATE

Ica has warm, subtropical, dry desert weather with little rain, with an average temperature from 65ºF to 90ºF. Ica climate is dry and sunny even during the winter months, but winter nights are cooler and can drop as low as 48ºF and as high as 77ºF. Summer is warmer and drier.

 

GASTRONOMY

Ica is the land of wine and Pisco, although its cuisine is a fusion of Creole cuisine, seafood and African cuisine influence, having its origin in colonial times, when many black slaves came to work the fields of Ica. Among the most prized dishes are: “smashed lima beans” prepared with pepper and accompanied by roast beef or roast pork. “Carapulcra” is favorite hearty stew of boiled potato with chunks of pork and chicken, chili pepper and sunflower, garlic and ground peanuts. The sea of Ica is brimming with a variety odd electable most marine species. There are many much appreciated seafood dishes based on fish and shellfish. The traditional sweet in Ica is the “Tejas” made with dried lemon, figs, pecans, and filled with caramel.

 

ECONOMY

Ica highlights the extensive agriculture and agro-export production articulated around the valley, in the middle of the desert Pacific. Important agricultural exports produced in Ica include the grape plantations, asparagus, date palms and cotton, mangoes, avocados, among many other products. The production of wine and Pisco is very important in the economy of Ica. Much wine is exported. Tourism is very important in the Ica and Paracas areas. Visitors can sandboard, drive over the sand dunes, visit the Ballestas Islands, visit the Paracas National Reserve and visit the Oasis of La Huacachina in Ica.
The development of the department of Ica is based on four sectors: agriculture, mining, fisheries and tourism. These sectors are of vital importance and generate foreign exchange, in the region and the country.