Puno is a city in southeastern Peru, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It is
the capital city of the Puno Region and the Puno Province with a population of
approximately 100,000. The city was established in 1668 by viceroy Pedro
Antonio Fernández de Castro as capital of the province of Paucarcolla with the
name San Juan Bautista de Puno. The name was later changed to San Carlos
de Puno, in honour of king Charles II of Spain. Puno has several churches
dating back from the colonial period, they were built to service the Spanish
population and evangelize the natives.
Today, Puno is an important agricultural and livestock region; particularly of
South plains. Many homes in Puno, much like surrounding cities, are
half-finished. This is done Today, Puno is an important agricultural and
livestock region; particularly of South so that the inhabitants do not have to
pay taxes. Much of the city economy relies on American camelids (llamas and
alpacas) which graze on its immense plateaus and the black market, fueled by
cheap goods smuggled in from Bolivia. Puno has been designated to become
a Special Economic Zone or “Zona Económica” by one of Peru’s president.
Puno is served by the Inca Manco Capac International Airport in nearby Juliaca.
Located southern Puno, Chuquito is well-known by its ancient pre-inkan
culture: Lupaka Kingdom. It became the capital city of the Aymara Nation.
Situated in a vantage point, its sages and archeo-astronomers not only did
they build the metropoly but also centres for astromical observation.
Previously wrongly known as ” Inka Uyu” or Inkan Phaelus, the site has been
renamed due to its technical and functional purpose.
The area surrounding the inner temple has been used throughout millennia to
mark the solstice and equinoxes.