The Inca Empire is often referred to as one of the last strongholds of the native population of South America before there was an influx from Europe of a new civilization with its own ways of life and customs and religions. Machu Picchu City: This is the star of the show when a tourist decides to invest in a mind-blowing and educational vacation in Peru. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Machu Picchu is known for being a city where the stones in the structures move and almost dance as it is built right on top of two relatively active fault lines. However, the engineering cannot be faulted as the ruins still remain remarkably well preserved. Much of the construction is located entirely underground, giving the entire site a very mystical atmosphere, as if it hides deep secrets. It has been hypothesized that it was used for ritual ceremonies and sacrifices just like many other Inca sites. Furthermore, the city is also home to the fascinating Temple of the Moon. The Incas diligently followed the movements of the "Mother Moon" or Mamaquilla as they called it because they began and ended their calendars according to the cycle of the moon. The moon had religious significance to the Inca because the moon goddess was third in order of reverence and importance and was also believed to be a feminine power more akin to women and their protection. Macchu Picchu also venerated the other gods by showing particular favor to the Sun God through the symbolic city gate called Inti Punku or 'gate of the sun'. There is also a temple dedicated to the sun near the highest point in the city. The “Temple of Three Windows” is another main attraction with fountains and a temple built to resemble the Condor with its wings spread ready for flight. While the idea may seem cool, historians believe the Condor was clever symbolism for the gruesome torture of someone who had sinned. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay One problem with Machu Picchu, Peru, is that it is such an ancient city that it lacks infrastructure, yet many people are still trying to access it. Tourism itself is not necessarily the problem because it brings attention to Peru, but Peru's other attractions are still not recognized. Normally, communities surrounding attractions and cities benefit from tourism. However, communities in Peru hardly benefit from tourism because companies give nothing back to the towns surrounding Machu Picchu. This upsets the residents because Machu Picchu is their home, but they do not benefit from its visitors. Fourteen years ago, the ancient city had half a million visitors.