Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 meters (8,000 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls.
The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of theSpanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction.
A growing number of people visit Machu Picchu. For this reason, there were protests against a plan to build a bridge to the site as well. A no-fly zone exists above the area. UNESCO is considering putting Machu Picchu on its List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.
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