As in many countries around the world, things were very different in the past and Peru is not an exception. The Inca Empire was the largest empire in South America between 1400 to 1600, and its administrative, political and military centre was located in Cuzco, but when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru, they established and founded the Capital of the Spanish Empire in Lima. This essay will compare and contrast many different factors of these cities as a tourism destination.
GEOGRAPHY
Lima is located on mostly flat terrain in the Peruvian coastal plain, within the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers. The city slopes gently from the shores of the Pacific Ocean into valleys and mountains located as high as 500 metres above mean sea level (Wikipedia, 2005, p. 1).
‘‘Cusco, a city in southeastern Peru located in the middle of Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountains, is around 3,500 m above mean sea level’’ (Burland, 1967, p.13).
Peru
LIMA-CUSCO
How to get there?
If you visit Lima, you will arrive at the International Airport Jorge Chavez located in Lima which is the main airport of the country and the only which receives international flights in Peru. Lima doesn’t have a public bus system but has many private buses and very cheap taxis for about US$20-30. In contrast, Cuzco is a not to be missed city when visiting Peru. If you want to come directly you must arrive at the International Airport Jorge Chavez located in Lima, the only airport which receives international flights in Peru. The tourists could take another flight to Cusco, around US$90 for a round trip ticket. In spite of the fact that all regions in Peru don’t have a public bus system, tourists could take really cheap and safe taxis fo ...