Population
Geography
Climate
Gastronomy
Economy
Language

 

POPULATION

Iquitos was known for its rubber industry through the rubber boom of the first decade of the 20th century; it attracted thousands of immigrants from around the world, mostly young, single men who hoped to make their fortunes in rubber. The rise of the automobile and related industries had dramatically increased the worldwide demand for rubber. Some men became merchants and bankers, and made their fortunes that way. Many of the European men married indigenous women and stayed in Peru the rest of their lives, founding ethnically mixed families. The immigrants brought European clothing styles, music and other cultural elements to Iquitos.
Among the unique communities formed by the 19th-century rubber boom immigration was one of Sephardic Jews from Morocco. Many of the men married Peruvian women and made families in Iquitos. They established a synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery. By the end of the 20th century, four or five generations later, most descendants were no longer practicing Jews. In the 1990s, a descendant of a Jewish settler undertook serious study of the religion and began to revive Judaism among his family, friends, and other Sephardim descendants. After years of study, with the help of a sympathetic Conservative rabbi in Lima and another from Brooklyn, New York, eventually a few hundred people learned and practiced and converted. (Conversion was necessary as their mothers were not Jewish.) Many of the converts emigrated to Israel under its "right of return" policy.

 

GEOGRAPHY

Iquitos's immense rugged terrain is covered with vegetation upon a quite hilly landscape and dominated by slightly rolling surface, except low-rise seen in the western area, within the limits of the high forest. The broad flood-plain of the rivers are covered with water during rainy seasons and are turned into swamps during the dry season. This sectors always have buildings constructed over floating platforms above terrain. There is a large quantity of lakes, bordered by wetland grass vegetation. Many rivers flow across this territory, all of them are part of the Amazon River Hydrographic System and most of which are navigable. Their main characteristic is to have a winding course, due to the large volume of water and the gentle area slope. The main rivers flowing through the department are: The Amazon, The Yavarí, The Putumayo, The Ucayali and the Marañón.

 

CLIMATE

The climate is hot and humid, with an average relative humidity of 85%. The wet season lasts from around November to May, with the river reaching its highest point in May. The river is at its lowest in October. The area is tropical and humid with a minimum temperature of 62°F and a maximum of 100°F.

 

GASTRONOMY

People mainly prepare two dishes: “The Juane” and “The Tacacho”
The Juane, is one of the main dishes of cuisine in the Peruvian jungle. It is widely consumed during the Catholic Feast of San Juan (St. John), held on 24 June each year. The dish was named in honor of San Juan Bautista. The dish could have a pre-Columbian origin. With the arrival of the Spanish, missionaries popularized the Biblical story of Salome, John and Herodias. Some believe the dish's name comes from the reference to the head of San Juan.
Tacacho, a kind of jerky, is often served with chorizo (sausage) and is typical in Iquitos as well as the Peruvian Amazon. The term “tacacho” derives from the Quechua term, “taka-chu”, which means beaten. Tacacho consumption varies depending on the region where it is made. In Iquitos it is a dish served at lunch or dinner.
In the Amazon region of Ecuador, the dish is known as bolon. It has a counterpart in the Caribbean islands, where it is called mofongo.

 

ECONOMY

Iquitos has become important in the shipment of lumber from the Amazon Rainforest to the outside world. Other industries include oil, rum and beer and Camu-camu cultivation. Camu-camu fruit contain 45% more vitamin C than oranges.
The city offers modern amenities for the residents and tourists in the area. It attracts people wanting to learn more about the Amazon Basin and indigenous culture, among other things.

 

LANGUAGE

The official language is Spanish, although many jungle tribes speak their native tongues.