|
Today, Puno is an important agricultural and livestock region;
particularly of South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) which graze
on its immense plateaus and plains. Many homes in Puno, much like
surrounding cities, are half-finished. This is done so that the
inhabitants do not have to pay taxes. Much of the city economy relies on
the black market, fueled by cheap goods smuggled in from Bolivia. Puno
has been designated to become a Special Economic Zone or "Zona Económica"
by Peru's president, Alan Garcia. Puno is served by the Inca Manco Capac
International Airport in nearby Juliaca.
Puno's geography and layout is unique, it is situated in the available
land between the shores of Lake Titicaca and the mountains surrounding
the city. There is less than 2 miles distance of flat land between the
shores and the foothills, which has caused the growing city to continue
to expand upwards onto the hillsides, sprawling along every available,
or nearly habitable plot of land on which a dwelling can possibly be
built. As a result the town's less developed and poorest areas, which
are high on the hillsides, often have very steep street, which are
generally not paved and cannot be accessed by automobile.
Puno is known as the "Capital folklórica del Perú" (folkloric capital of
Peru) due to its wealth of artistic and cultural expressions,
particularly dance. They are most notable during the celebrations of the
Feast of the "Virgen de la Candelaria" and the Regional Competition of
Autochthonous Dances. Puno's access to Lake Titicaca is surrounded by 41
floating islands. To this day, the Uros people maintain and live on
these man-made islands, depending on the lake for their survival and are
a large tourist destination.
Puno is the first major hub in the constant migration of indigenous
peoples of the Andes to the larger cities of Peru. It is the largest
city in the Southern Altiplano and is the recipient of new residents
from surrounding smaller agricultural communities of poorer class of
people seeking better opportunties for education and employment. As
such, Puno is serviced by several small Institutes of Technology,
Education and other technical or junior college type of facilities.
Additionally it is home to what is commonly referred to as the la "UNA"
or the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, which was founded in 1856.
Also se in Puno
|
