Machu Picchu: City in the Clouds

Machu Picchu, a mysterious city in the Andes Mountains of Peru, was once home to the Inca Empire's ruler. The Inca Empire was the largest in pre-Columbian America, stretching along South America's western coast. Machu Picchu, built around 1450 AD, served as a religious retreat and features unique architecture with over 150 stone buildings constructed using the ashlar technique. The city includes temples, palaces, and a solar clock known as intihuatana. After the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu was abandoned and rediscovered in the 19th century. Today, it is a World Heritage Site and Peru's most famous historic site.

What was the geographical extent of the Inca Empire?

• From Argentina to Colombia

• From Peru to Brazil

• From Chile to Ecuador

• From the Andes to the Amazon

What is the unique construction technique used by the Inca at Machu Picchu?

• Timber framing

• Bricklaying

• Mortar masonry

• Ashlar masonry

How high above sea level is Machu Picchu located?

• 7,900 feet

• 9,000 feet

• 5,000 feet

• 6,500 feet

What was the primary purpose of Machu Picchu according to historians?

• A military fortress

• A commercial hub

• A religious retreat for the ruler

• A residential area for commoners

When did Machu Picchu become a World Heritage Site?

• 1973

• 1983

• 1993

• 2003