LOCATION
The Machupicchu
archaeological
complex is located
in the department of
Cusco, in the
Urubamba province
and district of
Machupicchu. It is
perched on the
eastern slopes of
the Vilcanota
mountain range, a
chain of mountains
curtailed by the
Apurimac and
Urubamba Rivers. At
latitude 13º7' South
and longitude 72035'
West of the
Greenwich Meridian,
Machupicchu is
located at a height
of 2,350 meters
above sea level (main
square).
CLIMATE AND
ENVIRONMENT
It is located in a
subtropical zone, or
dense wood, the
reason why the
climate is mild,
warm and damp, with
an average year-round
temperature of 130C
during the day. One
can perceive two
distinct seasons
during the year: the
rainy season from
November to March,
which is a time of
heavy rains.
Visitors are advised
to dress accordingly
during this season.
The dry season from
April to October
brings on higher
temperatures.
FLORA
AND
FAUNA
Both are
abundant
and
varied.
Typical
plant
life in
the
historic
reserve
of
Machupicchu
includes
pisonayes,
q'eofias,
alisos,
puya
palm
trees,
ferns
and more
than 90
species
of
orchids.
The
fauna in
the
reserve
includes
the
spectacled
bear,
cock-of-the-rocks
or
"tunqui",
tankas,
wildcats
and an
impressive
variety
of
butterflies
and
insects
unique
in the
region.
The lie
of the
land,
the
natural
surroundings
and the
strategic
location
of
Machupicchu
lend
this
monument
a fusion
of
beauty,
harmony
and
balance
between
the work
of the
ancient
Peruvians
and the
whims of
nature. |
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