# Cusco

> historic city of Peru, capital of the Department of Cusco

**Wikidata**: [Q5582862](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5582862)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cusco

## FAQs

**What is the historical significance of Cusco?**
Cusco served as the capital of the Inca Empire from approximately 13 AD until 1536, and later as a capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru between 1821 and 1824. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 under criteria (iii) and is recognized globally by names such as "World Heritage City" and the "Rome of America."

**What international organizations include Cusco as a member?**
The city is a member of the League of Historical Cities and the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

**Where is Cusco located and what are its geographic specifications?**
Cusco is located in Peru at coordinates -13.516944444444444 latitude and -71.9786111111111 longitude. It sits at an elevation of 3,399 meters above sea level, covers an area of 385 square kilometers, and operates in the UTC−05:00 time zone.

**Who is the current leader of Cusco?**
As of January 1, 2023, the head of government (mayor) is Luis Pantoja Calvo.

**Which cities are twinned with Cusco?**
Cusco maintains sister city agreements with numerous global cities including Mexico City (1987), Athens (1991), Jerusalem (1996), Rio de Janeiro (2003), and Kraków (1988), among others dating back to 1984.

## Why It Matters
Cusco matters as one of the most historically continuous urban centers in the Western Hemisphere. Its role as the capital of the Inca Empire makes it a primary locus for understanding pre-Columbian civilization in the Andes. The transition of power through the Siege of Cusco and its subsequent role in the Viceroyalty of Peru highlight its strategic importance during the Spanish colonial period. In the modern era, its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site solidifies its status as a critical location for global cultural heritage. It is a central node for academic research, referenced in major encyclopedic works like Encyclopædia Britannica and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, and serves as a living museum of Andean history and culture.

## Notable For
- **UNESCO World Heritage Status:** Inscribed as the "City of Cuzco" in 1983.
- **Inca Capital:** The political and cultural center of the Inca Empire for over a millennium.
- **High Elevation:** A major urban center located at 3,399 meters altitude.
- **Global Recognition:** Known as the "Rome of America" and "Imperial City."
- **Twinning Network:** Extensive diplomatic ties with over 20 cities worldwide, includingChartres, Bethlehem, and Havana.
- **Historical References:** Cited in the Nuttall Encyclopædia, 11th Edition Encyclopædia Britannica, and Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Data
Cusco is situated in the Andes mountain range within the Cusco District and Cusco Province of Peru. The city's total area spans 385 square kilometers. Specific parts of the city, including its UNESCO-listed core, cover 142.48 hectares, with a buffer zone extending to 284.93 hectares. The city is identified by the postal code 08000 and utilizes the local dialing code 84. It is positioned at -13.516944444444444, -71.9786111111111.

### History and Governance
The city's inception is recorded with two significant dates: a founding date of March 23, 1534 (noted with a potentially incorrect Julian date qualifier) and a historical reference dating back to 1300. It functioned as the capital of the Inca Empire until 1536 and briefly served as a capital for the Viceroyalty of Peru in the early 19th century. The **Siege of Cusco** is a notable historical event associated with the city. In contemporary governance, the city is led by Luis Pantoja Calvo, who assumed office on January 1, 2023.

### Heritage and International Status
Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (ID Q9259), officially inscribed in 1983 under criterion (iii). The designation recognizes it as the "City of Cuzco" (or "Ciudad del Cusco"). This status is supported by its membership in the **Organization of World Heritage Cities**. Furthermore, it is a member of the **League of Historical Cities**. The city is a subject of study in various authoritative texts, including the *The Nuttall Encyclopædia* (as "Cuzco"), the *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition*, and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*.

### Demographics and Culture
According to the 2017 census, the population of Cusco was 428,450, an increase from 348,935 recorded in 2007. The city is a cultural hub with a high profile in global databases and library authorities, including the Library of Congress (n80162967), VIAF (153610071), and the National Library of Spain (XX452177). It holds identifiers in numerous international systems such as GeoNames (3941584), GND (4090652-8), and the BNF (11971901c). Cusco's cultural image is represented by its flag, coat of arms, and banners featuring landmarks like Sacsayhuamán.

### Global Relations
Cusco maintains an extensive network of sister city relationships, including:
- **Q1491** (January 3, 1984)
- **Samarkand** (August 4, 1986)
- **Athens** (September 18, 1991)
- **Mexico City** (June 17, 1987)
- **Bethlehem** (October 22, 1993)
- **Xi'an** (June 21, 1998)
- **Rio de Janeiro** (October 10, 2003)
- **Kraków** (November 8, 1988)
- **Chartres** (October 21, 1989)
- **Q1822** (August 23, 1984)
- **Santa Rosa de Copán** (April 11, 1996)
- **Cuenca** (March 14, 2000)
- **Havana** (November 22, 1993)
- **Jerusalem** (March 23, 1996)
- **Q34600** (September 19, 1987)
- **Moscow** (June 23, 1993)
- **Q26339** (November 8, 1988)
- **Potosí** (June 22, 1998)
- **Santa Barbara** (August 29, 1992)
- **Q109079** (October 22, 1990)
- **Q334577** (2018)

### Visuals and Media
The city's visual identity includes a flag hosted on Wikimedia Commons, a coat of arms, and a locator map image ("Cuzco-distritos.png"). Photographic documentation includes images of the Cathedral and Sacsayhuamán. The entity is categorized under "Maps of Cusco," "Views of Cusco," and "People from Cusco" on Wikipedia and related projects.

### Technical and Academic Identifiers
Cusco is cataloged under a vast array of technical and academic IDs, reflecting its global recognition. Key identifiers include:
- **MusicBrainz Area ID:** fc5f32b9-99be-4e15-bc31-958e14088d15
- **UN/LOCODE:** PECUZ
- **WorldCat Entities ID:** E39PBJqqBCFF3KMT8D9MxjkMT3
- **Quora Topic:** Cusco-Peru
- **Treccani ID:** cuzco
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID (2017):** 2123458
- **Store ID (Google Play):** Cuzco
- **Vatican Library VCBA ID:** 497/3263
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID:** ncf10218296
- **Biblioteca Nacional de México ID:** 000027839
- **Schoenberg Database of Manuscripts Place ID:** 1950
- **National Library of Brazil ID:** 000065145

The entity's aliases and translations include variants like "Qusqu," "Qosqo," and the "Imperial city of Cusco," spanning languages from Japanese ("クスコ市街") to Arabic ("مدينة كوزكو"). It has a Wikipedia presence in over 100 languages including English, Spanish, Quechua, and Russian.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://www.aatccusco.com/ciudades_hermanas.php)
3. [Source](https://aplicnt.camara.rj.gov.br/APL/Legislativos/contlei.nsf/50ad008247b8f030032579ea0073d588/384eefd01ec0b0db032576ac0072e9d8?OpenDocument)
4. [Source](https://aplicnt.camara.rj.gov.br/APL/Legislativos/contlei.nsf/50ad008247b8f030032579ea0073d588/3f4147a57ed8aa3483257e8800663664?OpenDocument)
5. [Source](http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531,miasto,17,0,otwarty_na_swiat.html)
6. [Source](https://www.bip.krakow.pl/?sub_dok_id=1046)
7. [Source](https://www.bip.krakow.pl/?sub_dok_id=887&vReg=1)
8. [Source](https://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531,kat,0,5,miasta_partnerskie.html)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. BnF authorities
11. [Source](https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/index.php)
12. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. MusicBrainz
15. [2017 Peru Census](https://www.inei.gob.pe/media/MenuRecursivo/publicaciones_digitales/Est/Lib1539/libro.pdf)
16. [2007 Peru Census](https://www.inei.gob.pe/media/MenuRecursivo/publicaciones_digitales/Est/Lib1539/libro.pdf)
17. [Source](http://www.pcm.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Constitucion-Pol%C3%ADtica-del-Peru-1993.pdf)
18. GeoNames
19. BBC Things
20. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
21. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pe.htm)
22. Quora
23. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
24. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
25. museum-digital