Arequipa is located in the south of the country surrounded by desert and giant volcanoes, it is Peru's second city and capital of the Arequipa Region. The Historical Centre (which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000) has some beautiful colonial architecture and is built from a locally quarried volcanic rock called sillar which gives the buildings a unique style. Notable monuments include the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, the distinctive cathedral and Plaza de Armas and many colonial churches.