Machu Picchu was built in 1460 by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti. Some believe it was a retreat for the emperor and guests, while others believe it was a religious sanctuary for priests and nuns to worship the sun. It is located in Peru between two mountain ridges overlooking the Urubamba River at an elevation of 2,430 meters. The traditional clothing of the Machu Picchu region consists of colorful wool outfits that vary by village, made from alpaca wool. Potatoes and llamas were dietary staples of the Inca people who lived there. Tourism has increased erosion and landslide risks if not properly managed.

2.  It was built in 1460 by the great Inca Emperor
Pachacuti
 Some believe he built it as a retreat or country palace
for him and his guests
 Some believe it was an isolated religious sanctuary
where nuns and priests worshipped the sun
 Some also believe it was an ancient military stronghold

3.  Peru (South America).
 Covers a total area of 32 500 hectares.
 On the eastern slopes of the Peruvian
Andes, 1400km south of the equator.
 Found between two mountain ridges, Machu Picchu
and Huayna Picchu.
 The Inca city overlooks the Urubamba River.
 2 430m above sea level.

5.  Even to this day the people of Machu Pichu still wear their traditional Peruvian
clothing
 Each village has its own style of clothing
 Their clothing is usually bright and exciting and consists of geometric patterns
 They make most of their clothes from the wool of the alpaca
 The men wear ponchos and sombreros on top of chullo’s
 The women wear colourful traditional skirts, wool jackets, synthetic sweaters and
sandals called “AJOTAS”, which are made from truck tires

6.  The word “Inca” stands for the ruling elite and their
ethnic group
 They ruled an empire of many different ethnicities and
would make their presence known periodically by
taking up residence at a series of royal estates
 People living there could have come from all over the
empire, speaking different languages
 They were astronomers and the King wore a tunic with
rows of geometric motifs

7.  Many of the buildings of Machu Picchu show signs of
religious and spiritual significance
 There was a series of erect monolithic stones that can
be interpreted as a resting place for the sun
 Another building could have been where the Inca King
went to speak directly to the sun, from which he
returned to tell the people what the sun had said

8.  They devoted most of their time to farming.
 Potatoes were one of the main foods of the Inca. They
farmed varieties types of potatoes.
 Meats: Llamas and Alpacas were the main
domesticated animals of Inca.
 Drinks: chicha was the main drink for the people
during Inca period, which made from jora and maize.

9.  Tourists have increased the landslide risk.
 Erosion has increased due to human activity.
 Tea bags and water bottles litter the hiking trail.
 Limited number of tourists per day, as a way to
preserve the heritage site.
 Only 1600 visitors, was 2500 visitors per day.
 Garbage is piled along the Urubamba River.

10.  Accommodation
Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Base for tourists en route to the archaeological site.
Accommodation in the city ranges from US $10 - $400 per night.
 Transportation
transport ranges from US $76- $389.
Trains US $42

11.  The lost city of the Incas was discovered by
Professor Hiram Bingham.
 It was built by Native Americans, in 1450 A.D.
 The Inca did not have a written language.
 Machu Picchu is listed as one of the world heritage
sites, by the United Nations.

12.  Entrance to historical sanctuary $49 or $24
 Local agencies sell their packages $155

13.  http://www.inside-peru.com/traditional-peruvian-clothing.html
 abcdefg Wright & Valencia Zegarra 2001, 2003, p.1.
 http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/features/saii/f
eatures/entertainment/2012/11/29/feature-02
 Jarus, O. (2012). Machu Picchu: Facts and History. Available
from: http://www.livescience.com/22869-machu-picchu.html
(Accessed 15 March 2013).
 Wright, K.R. & Zegarra, A.V. (2000). Machu Picchu: A Civil
Engineering Marvel. Virginia: ASCE Press.
 Torres, M. (2011). 100 years of Machu Picchu and the impact
of tourism. Available from:
http://www.southernconejourneys.blogspot.com/2011/07/100-
years-of-machu-picchu-and-impact-of.html (Accessed 15
March 2012).