CUZCO GENERAL INFORMATION

Basic Information:

Altitud : 3399

Population: 304 252 inhabitants.

Area Code: 084

Distance from Lima: approx 1.100km SE( by the Lima ,Nazca, Abancay, Cuzco route).

Location:

The city of Cusco covers and area of 61700km and is located at 3399 masl it lie at the center of a fertile valley irrigated by the waters of the Huatanay River and the Tullymayo River, The city is situated on an ancient lakened. According to geoologists, 100000 years ago it was the site of what they call Morkill lake.

Population:

Cusco is presently home of 304 152 people. It s the capial city of the deparment of Cusco, which holds 1158 142 inhabitants.

Climate:

Because it covers a diversity of altitudinal belts, the department of Cusco has a wide variety of climates and landscapes. The lower regions (2000masl) have many types of warm climates, the middle belts have temperature climates, and the highest (3700 masl) are very cold. The city of Cuzco is located in a transitional zone between the temperate and cold zone. Sunny during the day and cold at night. The rainy season is from December to March. The average temperature in the city is 10.9

Economy:

The Economy of the department of Cuzco is bassed chiefly on agriculture and mining. It mainly produces barley, corn, potatoes, quinoa, broad beand and other high altitude crops.

Language:

Althoungh both spanish and Quechua (or Runasimi) are considered official languages in Peru, spoken nationwide by 73% and 24% of the population, respectively, Quechua is the predominant language in the rural areas of the deparment of Cuzco. Much of Cusco's people are bilingual, with Quechua as their first language and Spanish as a second. A small percentage of the population speaks Aymara and there are also other Amazon language (such as Machiguenga) spoken in the department's jungle region .

Religion:

The majority of Peruvian are Roman Catholic. Close to 80% of peruvians practice Catholicism with deep devotion and fervor. Cuzco is no exception. Many of the region's traditional activities revolve around the church calendar, which believers are scrupulous is observing. In Areas farther from the city, however, religious syncretism is marked; the poeple practice catholicism but still hold to traditional beliefs, generally related to the earth ( the pachamama) and natural phenomena.

Currency:

Exchange

The foreing currency most readily exchanged in Cuzco is the United Stated dollar. It is also commonly used is comercial transactions and for purshasing goods. Exchange offices aboud in the city of Cuzco (especially on Avenida El Sol and near the marker). It is also possible to exchange dollars through money changers on the street . Some hotels and automatic teller machines provide this services, but they use a lower exchange rate.

Traveler's checks;

The use of traveler's checks is not widespread among Cuzco's commercial  establishments. Many hotels charge and addtional fee for accepting them and in some banks it is difficult to exchange them for cash.

Money transfer :

These can be done at the commercial banks. At least three days should be allowed for international transfers. National transfers take one day or less. It is also possible to withdraw cash against a credit card at some automatic teller machines.

Credit card:

The credit card most accepted in the city fo Cuzco are visa, mastercard, American Express and Diners. However, they are not commonly used in the city or the rest of department.

Banks:

Banks are generally open to the public on Monday through Friday. 0900 to 0600pm, and Saturdays from 0900am to midday ( with some variation). They may be open fewer hours during summer months (January to March).

Current and Voltage:

Electrical current in Peru runs at 220 volts (60 cycles). The majority of five star hotels have 110 volt sockets in guest rooms. European and American flat-pronged plugs will require round-pronged plug adaptors.