1. Machu Picchu
Photo by peru-macho-picchu.com
By Megan Benjamin

2. History
Photo by: onthegotours.com
Built in the 15th and 16th centuries at the height of the Incan Empire
Abandoned roughly 100 years after construction, at the time of the Spanish conquest
Believe it was an estate for the Incan emperor
Possible most inhabitants died of smallpox
The cities existence was unknown until 1911 when discovered by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham

4. Location Situated on a small hilltop between the Andean Mountains
Photo by: pixinn.net
Situated on a small hilltop between the Andean Mountains
Mountain allowed natural defenses from invaders
There was an abundant amount of farmland

5. “One’s first view of Machu Picchu is a bit like seeing the Mona Lisa after staring for years at a da Vinci refrigerator magnet.” Mark Adams (New York Times)

7. Machu Picchu Today Over 2,000 people visit the site everyday
In 2011, the Peruvian government limited 2,500 people to visit Machu Picchu everyday
A UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site since 1983
In 2007, recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

9. Machu Picchu
Photo by peru-macho-picchu.com
By Megan Benjamin