Ayacucho

Capital of Ayacucho department in the Andean Mountains of central Peru, 578 km/359 mi southeast of Lima, at an altitude of 2,746 m/3,009 ft; population (2005) 147,300; urban agglomeration 619,300. The city is in the centre of a mining region, and silver, copper, and nickel are mined nearby; it is also a tourist centre. Ayacucho was founded in 1539 by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro. The last great battle against Spanish troops in the war of independence was fought in 1824 at Quina 40 km/25 mi northeast of Ayacucho. The Maoist guerrilla group the Sendero Luminoso originated in Ayacucho in the 1960s.

Ayacucho

Mountainous department in southern Peru; area 43,815 sq km/16,917 sq mi; population (1996) 517,772. The capital is Ayacucho. The department of Ayacucho is watered by the River Apurímac. There is much agriculture and raising of livestock in this predominantly rural region; precious metals are also mined here.

The last great battle in the war of independence was fought near Ayacucho on 9 December 1824. Ayacucho is where the Sendero Luminoso guerrilla group arose in the 1960s. Since the capture of the Sendero's founder and leader in 1992, this area, once considered unsafe to visit, is again open to travel.