Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated in the near the Cusco region of Peru. Machu Picchu is perched high in the Andes Mountains about the Urubamba River valley. The Urubamba River is also called Willkamayu, Quechua for "Sacred River".

Terraces — The Inca engineered stepped agricultural systems along the sides of mountains and hills. These terraces were built to enable irrigation of crops, protect against landslides, and reduce soil erosion from heavy rainfall.

Sacred Rock — Overlooking the central plaza of Machu Picchu is the Sacred Rock, a large stone that resembles Yanantin Mountain behind it. Sacred Rock is a powerful symbol of Machu Picchu and is recognized as a spiritual area for meditation and absorbing positive energies.

Made to Measure — Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. The Inca were masters of a construction echnique called ashlar, in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together without any mortar. This mortar-free construction helps to protect from earthquake damage.