Oxapampa, Mountain town in Pasco Region, Peru
Oxapampa is a settlement in the eastern part of Pasco Region, surrounded by forested mountain slopes and dense vegetation of the high jungle at 1,814 meters above sea level. The settlement stretches across gentle hills, where wooden houses and small agricultural plots shape the landscape.
Colonists from Germany and Austria founded the settlement in 1891, after first arriving in the nearby colony of Pozuzo and seeking new land further south. Connection to the coastal region remained difficult until the mid-20th century, slowing the development of the community.
Many houses in the settlement display Alpine influences through their carved wooden balconies and steep roofs, a legacy of the Central European colonists who arrived in the 19th century. Locals maintain ties to their ancestry through traditional crafts and the German language, still spoken in some households today.
Most travelers reach the settlement via a winding mountain road from La Merced, which curves through dense rainforest and requires several hours of driving. The climate remains mild and humid throughout the year, so light rain gear is recommended for the frequent showers.
The name comes from the Quechua word Uqshapampa, meaning grassy plain, which refers to the open pastures the first settlers encountered. This designation contrasts with the dense vegetation that now covers much of the surrounding area.
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