Location: Southeast of Central Andes of Peru.
Extension: 20 891 km2.m)
Altitude:
Minimum: 2378 masl (Abancay)
Maximum: 3952 masl (Pataycampa).
The name of the department of Apurimac, comes from the quechua words Apu that means God and Rimac that means Speak, Apurimac means Speaking God.
The department of Apurimac has a complicated surface due to the Andean Cordillera. The terrain is diverse including: abysses, valleys, canyons and plateaus. The department consists of deep rivers. Apurimac is named after the river of the same name, which boasts a large canyon.
The most remarkable characteristic of Apurimac is the valley of the Apurimac River. It has one of the deepest depressions on the American continent. The unevenness of the terrain explains the wide variety of climates, which range from tropical weather in the deepest part of the valley to colder temperatures in the high plateaus.
Most of the territory in the Apurimac department is between 2,500 and 3,500 m.a.s.l.
The oldest evidence regarding the presence of gold in Peru was found in the department of Apurimac. It dates back to the Muyu-Mogo culture between 1500-1800 AC.
The Wari Age was a considered an important time of development. The population began to increase and farming and the tending of sheep became popular professions. The brave Chancas lived in the zone of Apurimac. They were the most determined rivals of the Incas, who were finally defeated in Yahuarpampa by Pachacutec. Some notable reminders of this time are the Choquequirao ruins and beautiful ceremonial centers like the Saywite.
In 1574 the Spaniards founded Abancay, which is the capital of the department.
