Location: Southern Peru bordering Bolivia and the provinces of Cusco, Moquegua and Tacna.
Population: 1,199,000 inhabitants approx, according to the 1999 census, representing 4,7% of the population of Peru and being the 5th largest provincial population.
Area: 71,999.00Km2.
Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua y Aymara.
Environment: On the banks of Lake Titicaca, a city in architectural renovation blanketed by the lake's geography and microclimate
Altitude: 3,820 metres above sea level.
Climate: Generally sunny from April to November and a rainy season from December to March. Mean air temperature is 9c, with some hot days of up to 24c and cool nights despite temperatures that drop to below zero, thanks to the protection of Lake Titicaca in its role of thermal regulator/heat refractor.

 Description

The department or province of Puno is made up of the north Altiplano (high plain), unique in South America, and surrounded by two mountain chains, the eastern and western Andes. The lake and rivers whose waters end in the Titicaca basin form a natural mirror of relevance to the natural and cultural development of Andean man..

The South American Altiplano has its origins in the Tertiary period some 20 million years ago, when its altitude was a mere 2000 to 2500masl. Its present altitude is product of a spectacular elevation process in the late Myocene or Pleocene period (when rivers ran to the oceans), which left an intramountain basin with no river outlet.

The geographical history of the Callao (high plains region) goes back some 500 million years, when the marine bed began to rise and form the Eastern and Western Andes range some 300 million years later.
Approximately 70% Puno's 72,382km2 is taken up by the Collao Altiplano, the other 30% being the mountain ranges and the jungle zones which borders on Madre de Dios. It is indeed a great privilege to have such diverse geographical regions inside a single political department.

The Titicaca basin has various affluent rivers, particularly the Amazon which runs 500km from its source at the Ananea Mountain and the largest local river the Ramis, some 70km in length.

As in all the Puno region, temperatures range favourably from day to night, with maximums of between 15c and 22c and minimums of between -9c and -24c. Wind chill can vary dramatically , depending on sun and shade, cloud cover etc. The best climate is found on the banks of lake Titicaca or its peninsulas, and the worst climates are furthest from the lake.

The rainy season starts as early as October and lasts as late as May, when the countryside changes from grey and brown to become green and verdant once again. The marvelously bright colours of flowers and crops harmonize with the carnival festival of February.

Around lake Titicaca there are many smaller lakes such as those of Asillo in Lampa, the largest being Arapa and Lagunillas. Lake Titicaca provides abundant totora reeds and llacho which feeds the local fauna and particularly the cattle, thus the reed is an important natural resource in the economies of lakeside dwellers, providing money to fund the family budget and celebrations.

 Tourism in the Region

	LAKE LAGUNILLAS Situated at over 4000 metres above sea level and having a surface area of 50km2, Lake Lagunillas is a splendid site ideal for the study of local fauna, such as ajoyas, chocas and flamingos amongst the many other birds that inhabit the magnificent heights of the Andes in Puno.

LAMPA, "THE PINK CITY"

The city of Lampa, known as "The Pink City", or "The City of Marvels" is pre-Inca in its origins. Its most famous citizen is Enrique Torres Belon, a combative son of Lampa who fought all his life for better standards of living and for economic, political and cultural improvements for the city of Lampa.

The most important tourist sites are: The Santiago Apostol Church (17th/18th century), the replica of Michaelangelo's David (Italy), the Colonial Bridge, the Chinchilla farm, the Osiary and the Cave of Lenzora.

SANDIA.- At 272 km from the city of Puno and at an altitude of 2.032 masl, Sandia is characterized by its beautiful valleys decorated by agricultural terraces, which are still used to this day by the local population to grow potatoes and various grains. Also, Sandia is the doorway to view the flora and fauna of the region, and is ideal for ecotourism trips. Access to the city is via a serpentine road, perfect for downhill biking.

MELGAR.- Is known as the livestock capital of Puno, where the finest examples of cattle, alpaca, and llama can be found. There is also an impressive geological site made up of curious and giant morphed rock formation, known as the Tinajani Canyon.

MACUSANI.- Macusani is a city at 4.450masl, and known as the highest provincial capital in Peru. A traditional refuge for the camelids of Peru (alpaca, llama, vicuña etc), due to its isolation and abundant water supply, it is now a centre of production for alpaca and llama. An excellent location for adventure tourism activities such as biking, trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing etc.

Macusani has the largest number of remains of cave paintings in the Altiplano region and close access to the Puno jungle region. It is possible to observe many different ecosystems on the journey from Macusani to the jungle basin. Downhill biking is an interesting option here.