Abancay, Peru

Located in central Peru, Abancay was founded in 1574. It is the capital and most important city of the Apurímac Region and also the capital of the Abancay Province. The name of the province Apurimac, comes from the quechua word Apu = God , Rimac = Speak; that means "The Speaking God". The population of Abancay is about 55,000 people. Abancay is located at an elevation of 2378 metres in the central Andes above the Pachachaca River and 200 km (or a 5-6 hour bus ride) away from Cusco.