Puno - Peru

Puno is a city in southeastern Peru, located at the edge of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, at 3,860 m (12,421 ft) above sea level. It is also the capital and largest city of the Puno region and the Puno province.

Puno is also believed to have been the cradle of the Inca civilization, as legend has it that Manco Capac, the first Inca, rose from the waters of Lake Titicaca, under the orders of the Sun God, to found the Inca Empire.

In 1668, viceroy Conde de Lemos established San Juan Bautista de Puno as the capital of the province of Paucarcolla. Later, it was called San Carlos de Puno, in honor of the ruling king, Charles II of Spain.


From that moment, the town began to change physically, as the Spanish priests, in their eagerness to evangelize the natives, built the churches which still stand today.

This region of Peru is famous for its varied and colorful folk traditions, as it has some of the most dazzling and richest folklore ceremonies to be witnessed in this part of the continent.

Today, Puno is an important agricultural and livestock region; particularly of South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) which graze on its immense plateaus and plains.


Puno Pictures