What is Machu Picchu?

The 15th century stone city of Machu Picchu was created by the Incas. The city is located 2430 metres above sea level in a valley surrounded by mountains in the Andes.

Set in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, the walls, terraces and ramps of Machu Picchu seem like they are naturally cut into the steep slopes. The city has been engineered marvellously by dividing it into upper and lower areas. The farmlands and housing areas are separated by a large square between them.

Narrow lanes connect the buildings, plazas and platforms of this ancient city. One section of Machu Picchu has been set apart from the rest using walls, ditches and possibly a moat. There are nearly 700 terraces here for agriculture and these allowed the distribution of water without wastage and also prevented erosion. The role of Machu Picchu in the Incas understanding of astronomy and domestication of wild plants is unknown today. A worldwide internet poll voted it as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Machu Picchu was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Picture Credit : Google

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