the railway network system has been operating in arequipa since 1871, and enables communication between the coast and the mountains and different levels of progress and expansion of population centers located in its path. the system consists of the lines cusco-puno-arequipa and arequipa-mollendo. it is of great strategic importance in the multimodal communication system in the southern macro region, since it is the most effective and economical way to transport heavy loads over long distances.