Cusco has a diverse geography full of mountains, rivers and lagoons. This geography also marks the constant change of climates and microclimates in the region. Get to know areas of great geographical wealth such as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Ausangate snow-capped mountain, the Vilcanota River and more. Today, the geography and climate characteristic of Cusco in Peru.
Location
Cusco is in the southern part of the Andes Mountains in Peru. The city of Cusco is located at 3,399 meters above sea level (11,151 ft). The most important snow-capped mountains in the region are Ausangate and Salkantay. The Vilcanota River runs through almost the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the town of Aguas Calientes. Cusco also has its jungle region, where the Incas knew how to build important cities such as Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
Cusco is the first tourist destination in Peru and South America. It has 13 provinces, with the city of Cusco being the capital and urban center of the department. Its territory includes Andean mountains as well as jungles and rivers.
Location of the department of Cusco in Peru
The department of Cusco is located in the south of Peru in South America.
Geographically, it is located in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. However, its territory (71,086 m2) also includes a vast area of ??jungle.
It is bordered to the north by the departments of Ucayali and Junín. To the south by the departments of Arequipa and Puno. To the east by the department of Madre de Dios. And to the west by the departments of Apurímac and Ayacucho.
Location of the city of Cusco
Cusco or Cuzco is the capital province of the department of the same name.
It is located in the center of the department, in the heart of the Peruvian Andes Mountains. It borders the provinces of Anta, Calca, Paruro, Quispicanchis and Urubamba.
Cusco was also the capital of the Inca Empire as well as one of the most important cities during the Spanish Colony.
How many provinces does the department of Cusco have?
The department of Cusco has 13 provinces:
- Acomayo.
- Anta.
- Calca.
- Canas.
- Canchis.
- Cuzco.
- Chumbivilcas.
- Espinar.
- La Convención.
- Paruro.
- Paucartambo.
- Quispicanchi.
- Urubamba.
Demographics
The department of Cusco has a total population of 1,316,729 inhabitants (2017).
The city of Cusco is one of the most populated in Peru with 428,450 inhabitants (2017).
What are the coordinates of Cusco?
These are the coordinates of the department of Cusco in degrees, minutes and decimals:
Longitude: O71°58’2.42″ Latitude: S13°31’21.5″
How to get to Cusco?
As the first tourist destination in Peru, Cusco has an airport that receives flights from the city of Lima (capital of Peru). Although most tourists arrive by air (1 hour trip), it is also possible to do so by road through a bus trip (20 hours trip, approximately).
How to get to Cusco from abroad?
To visit Cusco from abroad, you must necessarily take a flight to the airport in Lima (capital of Peru).
From Lima (Jorge Chavez airport), you must take another flight to the city of Cusco (Velasco Astete airport).
These are the countries that have direct flights to Lima:
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Central and North America: United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic.
Europe: Spain, France, Holland, England.
How to get to Cusco from Lima?
Cusco is located 1,101 kilometers away from the city of Lima (by road).
There are 2 ways to get from Lima to Cusco: a) by road or b) by plane.
How to get to Cusco by plane?
The trip from Lima to Cusco by plane takes approximately 1 hour.
There are several airlines to choose from, such as: Sky Airline, Viva Air, Latam, Avianca, Peruvian and Star Peru.
It is recommended to buy the plane ticket online and in advance.
How to get to Cusco by bus?
The trip from Lima to Cusco by bus takes approximately 20 hours (direct route).
The trip from Lima to Cusco by bus via the Arequipa route takes 25 hours.
There are several companies to choose from. Most of the bus terminals are: the bus terminals in the center of Lima or the bus terminal in the south of the city.
Bus tickets from Lima to Cusco can be purchased directly at the bus terminals.
Cusco is one of the most incredible cities in South America and one of the main destinations in the world. Its name ‘Qosqo’ means ‘Navel of the world’ in the language of the Incas, Quechua. Today it is recognized as the ‘Archaeological Capital of America’ due to its Inca and colonial temples that have survived over time. It is a city where people come from all over the world to visit its main tourist attractions: Sacsayhuaman, the Sacred Valley, the Mountain of 7 Colors and, of course, Machu Picchu.
