Cusco, often spelledCuzco,is a city in southeasternPeru, near theUrubamba Valleyof theAndesmountain range. It is the capital of theCusco Regionas well as theCusco Province. In 2013, the city had a population of 435,114. Located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cuzco, its elevation is around 3,400m (11,200ft).
The site was the historic capital of theInca Empirefrom the 13th until the 16th-century Spanish conquest. In 1983 Cusco was declared aWorld Heritage SitebyUNESCO. It has become a major tourist destination, hosting nearly 2million visitors a year. TheConstitution of Perudesignates it as the Historical Capital of Peru.