One of The Seven Wonders of One of The Seven Wonders of The World (Cuzco)The World (Cuzco)

MACHU PICCHUMACHU PICCHUMachu Picchu is the contemporary name given to a llaqta (former Inca Machu Picchu is the contemporary name given to a llaqta (former Inca

Andean village) stone built mainly in the mid-XV century in the Andean village) stone built mainly in the mid-XV century in the rocky promontory that connects the mountains Huayna Picchu Machu rocky promontory that connects the mountains Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu and the eastern slopes of the central Andes, the southern Peru.Picchu and the eastern slopes of the central Andes, the southern Peru.

DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHUDESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHUThe ruins of Machu Picchu are divided into two main sections known as The ruins of Machu Picchu are divided into two main sections known as

the Urban and Agricultural Sectors, divided by a wall. The the Urban and Agricultural Sectors, divided by a wall. The Agricultural Sector is further subdivided into Upper and Lower Agricultural Sector is further subdivided into Upper and Lower

sectors, while the Urban Sector is split into East and West sectors, sectors, while the Urban Sector is split into East and West sectors, separated by wide plazas.separated by wide plazas.

The central buildings of Machu Picchu use the classical Inca The central buildings of Machu Picchu use the classical Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape. The architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape. The

Incas were masters of this technique, called ashlar, in which blocks of Incas were masters of this technique, called ashlar, in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. Many junctions in stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. Many junctions in the central city are so perfect that it is said not even a blade of grass the central city are so perfect that it is said not even a blade of grass

fits between the stones.fits between the stones.View of the residential section of Machu Picchu.View of the residential section of Machu Picchu.

Interior of an Inca building, featuring trapezoidal windows.Interior of an Inca building, featuring trapezoidal windows.Some Inca buildings were constructed using mortar, but by Inca Some Inca buildings were constructed using mortar, but by Inca

standards this was quick, shoddy construction, and was not used in the standards this was quick, shoddy construction, and was not used in the building of important structures.building of important structures.

Terraced Fields in the upper Agricultural Sector.

View of the residential section of Machu Picchu.

Interior of an Inca building, featuring trapezoidal windows.

Temple of the Sun.

CONCERNS OVER TOURISMCONCERNS OVER TOURISMMachu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery in Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery in

1911, a growing number of tourists visit Machu Picchu, reaching 1911, a growing number of tourists visit Machu Picchu, reaching 400,000 in 2003. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major 400,000 in 2003. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major

revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces. In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government commercial forces. In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car and granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car and development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with

boutiques and restaurants. Many people protested against the plans, boutiques and restaurants. Many people protested against the plans, including members of the Peruvian public, international scientists, and including members of the Peruvian public, international scientists, and academics, as they were worried that the greater numbers of visitors academics, as they were worried that the greater numbers of visitors

would pose a tremendous physical burden on the ruins. Many would pose a tremendous physical burden on the ruins. Many protested a plan to build a bridge to the site as well. A no-fly zone protested a plan to build a bridge to the site as well. A no-fly zone

exists above the area. UNESCO is considering putting Machu Picchu exists above the area. UNESCO is considering putting Machu Picchu on its List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.on its List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

WEATHERWEATHERThe weather is warm and humid during the day and cool at night. The The weather is warm and humid during the day and cool at night. The

temperature ranges between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius. The area is temperature ranges between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius. The area is usually wet (about 1955 mm per year), especially between November usually wet (about 1955 mm per year), especially between November and March. The rains are heavy, rapidly alternating with moments of and March. The rains are heavy, rapidly alternating with moments of

intense sunshine.intense sunshine.

MACHU PICCHU MAPMACHU PICCHU MAP