Geography
Climate
Economy

 

GEOGRAPHY

The Colca River starts high in the Andes at Condorama Crucero Alto. The name of the river changes to Majes, and then to Camana before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Some areas along the River are populated and Inca and pre-Inca terraces are still cultivated. The small town of Chivay is located on the upper Colca River, where the area is called Colca Valley. Since the River is not too deep at this point, there are thousands of agricultural terraces carved on the mountain slopes that are still being cultivated. These terraces can be seen for many kilometers downstream. As the river forms the Colca Canyon, a series of small villages are spread out over approximately 56km between Chivay town and the village of Cabanaconde. At this point the Canyon reaches its greatest depth. The Colca Canyon area is also home of the Ampato volcano (6310m), where Juanita, the frozen maiden, was found in 1995. The deepest part of the Colca Canyon is registered between the Ampato volcano mountain (6310m) and the Coropuna snow-capped mountain (6377m).

 

CLIMATE

In the dry season (April to October) temperatures usually fall down below zero during the night and reach 15°C to 20°C during daytime. During the rainy season (November to March) temperature changes are less dramatic as the overcast sky prohibits the sun from shining and the atmosphere from heating during the day. Temperatures vary between 5°C to 10°C at night. According to meteorological records, The Colca Canyon receives hard rain during December to April and the rest of the year is dry, sunny and cold.

 

ECONOMY

Agriculture, mining and tourism.