Nasca

Nasca is a city and the capital of Nasca Province in the Ica Region of southern Peru. It lies in the Nazca Valley in the arid coastal desert, near the Pacific Ocean, roughly 400 kilometers south of Lima. The Pan-American Highway passes through the area, and Nasca serves as a gateway for visitors to archaeological sites in the valley, including the Nazca Lines.

The Nazca Lines are a world-famous collection of geoglyphs located in the nearby desert. Created by the Nazca culture between about 200 BCE and 600 CE, the lines comprise hundreds of straight lines, geometric shapes, and biomorphic figures such as a hummingbird, spider, monkey, and fish. The figures were formed by removing a shallow reddish layer to reveal lighter ground beneath and are best viewed from the air. The purpose of the lines remains uncertain, with theories ranging from astronomical calendars to ritual routes. In 1994, the Nazca Lines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The area has a long pre-Columbian history, with the Nazca culture leaving numerous archaeological remains. After the Spanish conquest, Nasca developed as a regional center servicing agriculture in the valley, aided by irrigation. Today, the town’s economy combines farming in the surrounding valleys with tourism and local crafts. Nasca is served by a local airport, and many visitors reach the Lines via overflight tours from Nasca or nearby towns.

See also: Nazca Desert; Nazca culture; UNESCO World Heritage Site.