Machu Picchu is located on a ridge above the meandering Urubamba River at 2430 m asl. Even though some aspects of its history remain unclear, the site is most commonly considered an Inca citadel in operation during the 15th and 16th Century. It has gained international attention in the early 20th Century and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The prominent mountain in the right background is Huayna Picchu (2693 m).