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Puno
was a seat for the civilizing move for the Titicaca High Plateau.
There was organized the most ancient urban center of this region,
called Pucará, with monumental architecture and valuable sculpture
and ceramics. There ended the whole previous stage of plant and
animal domestication. There was created what would later become the
Tiahuanaco civilization.
Before Pucará, towards 1,000 B.C., appeared the Qaluyu Culture,
related with Marcavalle in Cusco and connected with Paracas in Ica.
Since this time began the construction of great buildings shaped as
elongated truncated pyramids, that became characteristic of Pucará.
Approximately 200 to 300 A.D., Tiahuanaco started to develop its
classic form coinciding with the
decline of Pucará; from then on, Puno
started to depend on that culture whose center was at the southeast
of Lake Titicaca.
At
the decomposition of Tiahuanaco between the XII to XIII centuries,
were formed several independent kingdoms: The Collas, centered in
Hatuncolla and Sillustani; the Lupaca ,centered in Juli and
Chuchuito, with notable settlements such as the one of Cochacacha;
and the Pacajes, around the Desaguadero river. Important are the
Chullpas of Sillustani and the temples of Pucará. The majority of
the Chullpas belong to the Inca Period. The Inca conquest began in
the XV century. According to the legend, Lake Titicaca was the
cradle of Inca Civilization.
At the time of the conquest, the Spaniards, among them Francisco
Pizarro, settled down in Cusco, given the richness of the Collao
region. In 1825 during the Republic, Simón Bolívar visited Puno and
was received with the historical eulogy of Choquehuanca "As years go
by, grows our glory as shadows grow when the sun sets".
Puno
is
located to the southeast of Peru, in the Collao Plateau. The
Titicaca lake, the highest in the world is located in this
department. 70% of the region is made up by Andean mountains and is
formed by High Plateau, hillsides, intermediate areas and the
cordillera. The jungle, represents 25% of its territory is scarcely
inhabited and is almost not integrated to the economy of the
department. The climate is cold and dry, with 4-month long rain
season. In the jungle the climate is warm. The water resources are
taken from the Lake Titicaca, 50 lagoons and more than 300 rivers.
There is, besides, an important potential in underground waters. is
located to the southeast of Peru, in the Collao Plateau. The
Titicaca lake, the highest in the world is located in this
department. 70% of the region is made up by Andean mountains and is
formed by High Plateau, hillsides, intermediate areas and the
cordillera. The jungle, represents 25% of its territory is scarcely
inhabited and is almost not integrated to the economy of the
department. The climate is cold and dry, with 4-month long rain
season. In the jungle the climate is warm. The water resources are
taken from the Lake Titicaca, 50 lagoons and more than 300 rivers.
There is, besides, an important potential in underground waters.
The main touristic attraction of Puno is the Titicaca Lake, located
in the Collao Plateau. This is the world's highest navigable lake.
It is 193 KM long and 64 KM wide, with a maximum depth of 300
meters. Its waters hold a great ichtiological richness. It has a
wonderful landscape and the impressive snow capped mountains of the
Cordillera Real confer it a mysterious atmosphere. It is said that
the Uros, of strong physical condition, who live over the artificial
Totora islands, are descendants of the oldest race all over the
world.
Some great monuments are the Cathedral, the Conde de Lemos's
Balcony, the Arch Deustua, the Municipal Paintings Room, the Dryer
Museum and the Popular Art Museum. 30 KM away from Puno, capital of
the department, are the Chullpas of Sillustani, which were tombs of
the Hatuncolla' leaders (great men), and many other vestiges of
ancient cultures that inhabited the region.
It can be said that the Department of Puno always was loyal to Peru,
looked always for the harmony with our Bolivian brothers in order to
rationally and fairly use Titicaca Lake resources.
Fast facts:
Area or Surface:
71,999 KM².
Main Resources:
The quinua. It is the first producer of sheep, alpacas and llamas.
Population:
1,135,000 inhabitants.
Its capital, Puno, has 100,168 inhabitants.
Number of Provinces and Districts:
13
provinces and 108 districts.
Date of Foundation:
As
department, April 26th, 1822.
Ethnic Groups:
The Uros (in Titicaca Lake). |
