Nazca

Nazca is a city in southern Peru, serving as the capital of Nazca Province in the Ica Region. It lies in the arid coastal desert about 400 kilometers (roughly 250 miles) south of Lima and is the gateway to the Nazca Lines, a group of large geoglyphs in the nearby Nazca Desert.

The Nazca Lines comprise hundreds of figures, including animals, plants, and geometric designs, created by the Nazca culture roughly between 200 BCE and 600 CE. The lines range from tens to hundreds of meters in length and are best viewed from the air. Their exact purpose remains debated, with theories ranging from astronomical calendars and religious rituals to water-related symbolism and sociopolitical functions.

Geography and engineering shaped the Nazca economy and settlement. The surrounding desert is extremely dry, but the Nazca developed an extensive system of underground channels known as puquios to bring groundwater to the surface for irrigation, enabling agriculture and the growth of settlements in an otherwise inhospitable landscape.

Historically, the Nazca culture preceded the Inca and is remembered for its distinctive pottery and textiles, as well as hydraulic and architectural innovations. The region later interacted with neighboring cultures, including the Paracas, contributing to a broader Andean cultural context.

Conservation and significance. The Nazca Lines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, recognized for their archaeological importance and cultural landscape. Today, Nazca’s economy relies on tourism linked to the lines, alongside local agriculture and other regional activities, with ongoing efforts to preserve and study the site.