Cusco

Cusco
Name	Cusco
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	13, 31, 30, S...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Peru
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Cusco Region
Subdivision type2	Province
Subdivision name2	Cusco Province
Established title	Founded
Established date	c. 1100 AD
Founder	Manco Cápac (legendary)
Government type	Mayor–council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Luis Pantoja Calvo
Area total km2	385.1
Elevation m	3399
Population total	428450
Population as of	2017
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	PET
Utc offset	-5
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	08000
Area code	+51 84
Website	www.municusco.gob.pe

Cusco, often spelled Cuzco, is a city in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It was the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, and its well-preserved colonial architecture, built atop foundational Inca stonework, led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Today, it serves as the capital of the Cusco Region and the Cusco Province, functioning as a major hub for tourism and a gateway to the famed Machu Picchu.

History

According to Inca mythology, the city was founded by Manco Cápac in the 12th century, becoming the nucleus of the Kingdom of Cusco which later expanded into the vast Inca Empire, known as Tawantinsuyu, under rulers like Pachacuti. The city was redesigned in the shape of a puma, with the fortress of Sacsayhuamán representing its head and the confluence of the Huatanay and Tullumayo rivers forming its tail. In 1533, forces led by Francisco Pizarro captured the city, marking a pivotal moment in the Spanish conquest of Peru, after which significant structures like the Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus were erected atop razed Inca temples. The city was also the center of the Neo-Inca State in Vilcabamba and a focal point for the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II in 1780.

Geography

The city is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 ft) in the southern Peruvian Andes, within the Huatanay river valley. Its topography is marked by steep hills and valleys, with the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the urban center. The region is part of the larger Urubamba watershed and is prone to seismic activity, as evidenced by major earthquakes in 1650 and 1950. The climate is generally subtropical highland, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, influencing the surrounding ecosystems of the Cusco Region.

Demographics

As of the 2017 census conducted by the INEI, the city proper had a population of over 428,000, while the metropolitan area exceeds 500,000 inhabitants. The population is predominantly Mestizo and Indigenous, with Quechua and Spanish as the primary languages. Major institutions include the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cuzco and the Museo Inka. The city's demographic growth has been significantly driven by migration from rural provinces and the booming tourism sector centered on sites like the Sacred Valley.

Economy

The economy is overwhelmingly dominated by tourism, with millions of visitors annually using the city as a base to visit Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Inca Trail. Key infrastructure supporting this includes the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and the PeruRail service to Aguas Calientes. Other economic activities include agriculture, with local markets selling products like maize and potatoes, handicraft production for the tourist market, and a growing services sector. The city also hosts regional headquarters for entities like the Central Reserve Bank of Peru.

Culture

The city is renowned for its rich fusion of Inca and Spanish colonial heritage, evident in its major festivals like the sun festival of Inti Raymi and the feast of Corpus Christi. Important cultural sites include the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), the Cusco Cathedral, and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The Cusco School of painting developed here in the colonial period, and the city is a declared Historical Capital of Peru. Local cuisine features dishes such as cuy and rocoto relleno.

Government

The city is governed by a mayor–council system, with the current mayor being Luis Pantoja Calvo. It serves as the capital of both the Cusco Region, presided over by a regional governor, and the Cusco Province. Key governmental buildings are located around the Plaza de Armas, including the City Hall. The city is also home to important judicial bodies like the Superior Court of Justice of Cusco and various decentralized offices of the national government, such as the Ministry of Culture.

Category:Cusco Category:Populated places in the Cusco Region Category:World Heritage Sites in Peru