Paucartambo

Was created by the decree of June 21, 1825. By its interandean and near location of the low amazonian forest, it has a dry climate, with warm and frigid stations defined clearly. Its capital is the city of Paucartambo (2,906 meters above sea level). The province has an extension of 6,295.01 km² and a population of 45,221 inhabitants (projection to year 2000), distributed in its 6 districts: Paucartambo, Caicay, Colquepata, Challabamba, Huancarani and Kosñipata.

Paucartambo is located on the right margin of the Homonimo river, one of the most flowing of the Cusco department, in the slopes of a compact mountain group. From this point and following the course of the river, is observed a fertile valley that blooms due to the climatic conditions of the zone. By the road towards the jungle it is possible to ascend until the mountain pass of Tres Cruces (4,000 meters above sea level), exceptional point from which one of the most beautiful dawns of the world is observed, looking the landscape of the high andean prairie: South limit of the National Park of Manu.

The city was famous in the days of the Incas by its coca plantations and in the Colony it was the headquarters place of a corregimiento that watched the coca distribution in the region.

Between attractions of this province highlights the Carlos III bridge and church of Paucartambo, which keeps the image of the Carmen Virgin, whose celebration (July 16) is one of main folkloric and religious attractions of Cusco, reason for which also is called the “folkloric province of Cusco”. Paucartambo also is the land of the Q'eros nation, Andean community that became well-known in 1955 due to the studies of Oscar Núñez Del Prado in the zone, and it characterizes itself by its Inca Ayllu character that maintains ancestral patterns and traditions.

In its territory there is the dam of the Mapacho river in Challabamba and the hydroelectric power stations of Pillawata, Union de Braganini, Mercurio, San Pedro and Chotacancha.