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
