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Peru

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Aerial view contrasting snow and semi-arid terrain in the Andes.
Archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti, who reigned from 1438 to 1472. His statue dominates a square in Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu (meaning “Old Mountain” in Quechua) in the foreground and Huayna Picchu (meaning “Young Mountain”) on the right are both mountains in Peru that rise above Machu Picchu, the city of the Incas. The Incas built a trail up the side of Huayna Picchu and temples and terraces at its top. Huayna Picchu is 2,693 m (8,835ft) high, making it approximately 260 m (850 ft) taller than Machu Picchu.
The Incas built temples and terrances at the top of Huayna Picchu, approximately 2,720 m (8,920 ft) above sea level.
Located high in the Andes, and not rediscovered until the early part of the 20th century, the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are one of the showpieces of South America.
Machu Picchu has been declared a World Heritage Site and was named one of the &quot;New&quot; Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The site is situated roughly 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level.
Many of the former housing units of the city of Machu Picchu are visible in the foreground of this image.
Houses near the Sacred Plaza of Machu Picchu, approximately 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level.
A section of housing is seen in front of Machu Picchu&apos;s Sacred Plaza, with the Intiwatana (Hitching Post of the Sun) above the plaza and the Western Urban Section to its right, where llamas roam.
The Intiwatana at Machu Picchu is a notable ritual stone that has been described as an astronomic clock, a type of sundial, or a calendar of the Inca. The Inca believed the stone held the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. The stone aligns with the sun's position during the winter solstice (June 21), casting its longest shadow on its southern side. At midday on the equinoxes the sun stands almost above the pillar, casting no shadow at all. In Quechua, "inti" is the name of "the sun" and "wata-" is a verb root meaning "to tie or hitch (up)." The "-na" suffix indicates a tool or place. Hence inti-wata-na is literally an instrument or place to "tie up the sun," often colorfully conveyed as "The Hitching Post of the Sun."
Wall with trapezoidal windows in Machu Picchu.
The Temple of the Sun or Torreon at Machu Picchu.
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