Quebrada de Humahuaca

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Quebrada de Humahuaca is a deep and narrow groove tectonic-fluvial origin located entirely in the province of Jujuy, in northern Argentina. The gorge is crossed by the Rio Grande tributary of the Paraguay River. It belongs to the subregion of the Eastern Cordillera, and is limited by two cords: the western and the eastern. It presents a marked north-south direction, with increasing height to the north. Therefore it is considered a natural gateway to the Highlands, function that was used from pre-Columbian times. It was declared Cultural and Natural Heritage in July 2003 by UNESCO, as a combination of beautiful scenery, numerous villages, towns and cities retain many pre-Columbian and colonial vestiges, as well as its ancient Omaguaca culture. There are also places like the hamlet of "Inca Cueva" (relatively modern name) where signs (petroglyphs, carved stones, etc.) whose age is estimated at 10 millennia were found. There are still descendants of the ancient inhabitants Quechua, self-styled indigenous peoples, and live coexisting with nature, the Pachamama (Mother Earth), the god of thunder, lightning and all living beings to whom respect . Because they kept their culture despite the Inca invaders tried to turn them into his servants to the Sun god. It was the scene of many battles fought during the War of Independence and during the war before the invasion of the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation. Among its attractions is the monolith that indicates the crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn and the Pucara of Tilcara, fortification built by the early settlers erected on the mountaintop. Currently many of these issues go unnoticed, the aforementioned indigenous peoples are in continuous conflict with the provincial government claiming the land that once belonged to their ancestors.