Cusco Department, Administrative region in southeastern Peru
The Cusco region extends over 71,987 square kilometers and borders seven other Peruvian departments, including Ucayali, Madre de Dios, and Puno.
The department of Cusco originated from territorial divisions established after Peru gained independence in 1821, incorporating lands of the former Inca Empire.
The region maintains strong indigenous traditions with Quechua as the primary language for over half of its population, influencing local governance and education.
The administrative region contains 13 provinces and 112 districts, with governmental offices centralized in the capital city of Cusco at 3,400 meters elevation.
The Plain of Anta within the Cusco region produces specialized high-altitude crops at 3,000 meters, including native varieties of potatoes and quinoa.
Location: Peru
Capital city: Cusco
Shares border with: Ucayali Department, Madre de Dios Department, Puno Department, Arequipa Department, Apurimac Department, Ayacucho Department, Junin Department
Address: Cusco, Peru
Website: http://cusco.biz/departamento-del-cusco
GPS coordinates: -13.26000,-72.11000
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:19
This collection includes towns established above 3,000 meters altitude, mainly located in the Andes and on Asian highlands. These urban centers house several million inhabitants who live daily under conditions where oxygen is scarce. La Rinconada in Peru reaches 5,300 meters, making it the highest city in the world, while La Paz in Bolivia, at 3,639 meters, has over 1.6 million residents. Sites with historical significance such as Potosí in Bolivia, founded in the 16th century for its silver mines and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Lhasa in Tibet, the former capital of the Tibetan kingdom with dozens of Buddhist temples including the renowned Jokhang Temple, are included. Additionally, towns like Puno in Peru or Shigatse in China demonstrate human adaptation to extreme environments, creating communities of hundreds of thousands. These destinations offer a look into Andean and Himalayan cultures shaped by elevation and provide exceptional travel experiences.
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