Mining, Hydrocarbons, Industry, Tourism and access Roads

Mining

Cusco department has copper mines, like Tintaya in the province of Espinar, acquired in 1994 by a partnership formed by two North American companies: Magma Koper Company and Global Magma Ltd. Other copper deposits are Atalaya and Katanga, that are in active operation. Marcapata host the gold extraction and exist diverse areas with other minerals like: lead, zinc, iron, uranium, coal and saltpeter.

Hydrocarbons

The natural gas is the most important hydrocarbon in the basin of the Camisea river, in the forest of Cusco. Operation of the deposits in San Martin and Cashiari are into the hands of foreign partnership, which already has finished the construction of a pipeline that transports the gas towards Pisco, and after it is distributed in Lima.

Industry

The main industries of the city are dedicated to the production of textiles, refined sugar, potery and ceramics, chocolates and manufacture of cotton products. An important industry is the brewery, through the brand “Cuzqueña Beer”, much appreciated world wide by its quality.

Turism

Tourism is one of the most profitable activities and greater growth in Cusco and a great amount of travellers, tourist services and packages, transport, restaurants, guides and more. Up to December of year 2000, arrived at Cusco 358.503 foreign travellers, amount that tends to grow according to the comparative pictures of the last years. In them, the United States heads the list of countries with greater number of visitors (112 733), follow France to him (27,722), Germany (24,753), Japan (20,386), Spain (12,770), Argentina (12,733), Italy (12,435) and Chile (10,776). Of the mentioned total of travellers, 59.40% contracted some travel agency, whereas 40.60% came by own account (data of the DRIT - Cusco).

Considering the Peruvians, the greater number of travellers comes from the own Cusco (96,537); following Lima and the Callao (66,092), Arequipa (20,066), Puno (13,717), Apurímac (9,934), Madre de Dios (4,672), Ayacucho (1,920) and Tacna (1,702). In 2000, 220.785 national travellers arrived at the Cusco. From all them, only the 10,56% contracted some travel agency, whereas the 89,40% preferred to do it by own account (data of the DRIT - Cusco).

In the months of June, July and August of the same year, it was registered the Maximun capacity installed in hotels of 1 to 5 stars, lodging houses and hotels without category. The upper month was July, with 6,378 rooms and 11,744 beds, corresponding to a total capacity used of 67.557 rooms, 114.075 beds and 60.786 people lodged in this month (data of the DRIT - Cusco).

Routhes of Communication

Ground

The ground access to Cusco is given by 3 diferent ways:

- Lima — Arequipa — Juliaca — Cusco.
- Lima — Nazca — Puquio — Chalhuanca — Abancay — Cusco.
- Lima — Huancayo — Ayacucho — Abancay — Cusco.

The distance between Cusco and some other departments of Perú

- Cusco to Lima: 1,153 km.
- Cusco to Ayacucho: 597 km.
- Cusco to Abancay: 198 km.
- Cusco to Arequipa: 623 km.
- Cusco to Puno: 389 km.

Air

Cusco city counts with an airport, the Velasco Astete International Airport, which offers regular domestic and international flights and that turn out to be a point of contact among visitors of diverse points of the country and the world.

Train

The railroad of the South is very used by peruvians and tourists; this service go from Cusco to Arequipa and Puno. In addition, there are trains that go every day to Machu Picchu and with prices for all the pockets: it has around 4 classes for different options of trips.