PISCO

city, Ica department, southwestern Peru, Pacific port at the mouth of the Ro Pisco. Founded in 1640 by Pedro Toledo y Leiva, it was devastated by an earthquake in 1682 and by a tidal wave in 1686. It was incorporated as a city in 1898. Pisco (Quechua Indian for bird) is noted for its brandy made from muscat grapes. Other economic activities include subsistence farming, milling of cottonseed oil, textile manufacturing, and fishing. The Baha (bay) de Paracas, to the south, sheltered by the Pennsula Paracas, is a resort area. On the peninsula is the Paracas Necrpolis (pre-Inca ruins). Pop. (1990 est.) 77,200.