The ancient city of Machu Picchu is in Peru.
Machu Picchu is a fifteenth-century Inca site set high in the Andes above the Urubamba Valley. It stands at about 2,430 metres above sea level and is located near the city of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire.
The complex probably dates to the reign of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who ruled during the expansion of the empire. Its exact original purpose remains debated; proposals include a royal estate, a religious centre, or a retreat connected to the imperial court.
Hiram Bingham brought the site to international attention in 1911, although local residents already knew of it and had visited the ruins. Machu Picchu became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is one of South America’s most visited archaeological landmarks. Its carefully fitted stonework and terraced slopes help explain its enduring fame.