Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System World Heritage Site

Official name

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System | UNESCO

Country

Ecuador | Map

Continent

South America

Location

-18.2500° Lat, -69.5916° Lon | Map

Code

1459

Time Zone

America/Guayaquil (-05, -0500)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2014. This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. Constructed by the Incas over several centuries and partly based on pre-Inca infrastructure, this extraordinary network through one of the world’s most extreme geographical terrains linked the snow-capped peaks of the Andes – at an altitude of more than 6,000 m – to the coast, running through hot rainforests, fertile valleys and absolute deserts. It reached its maximum expansion in the 15th century, when it spread across the length and breadth of the Andes. The Qhapac Ñan, Andean Road System includes 273 component sites spread over more than 6,000 km that were selected to highlight the social, political, architectural and engineering achievements of the network, along with its associated infrastructure for trade, accommodation and storage, as well as sites of religious significance.