PUNO

departamento (formed 1822) of southern Peru, bounded by Bolivia (east). It lies partly in high, windswept plateaus and the basin of Lake Titicaca and partly in rugged mountains. Many of Puno's rivers flow into Lake Titicaca, but the Tambopata and Inambari riversmajor affluents of the Madre de Disalso arise in the department. Settled since pre-Inca times, Puno contains extensive archaeological ruins, especially near Lake Titicaca. The mainly Indian population is predominantly rural. Puno (q.v.) city, the departmental capital, and Juliaca, the main transportation hub, are the largest cities. Cultivated crops include potatoes and barley and other cereals. Cattle and sheep are bred extensively; wool, from both sheep and alpaca, is exported. Silver, antimony, tungsten, gold, and copper are important mineral resources. Puno is traversed by the Pan-American Highway; railroads from Cuzco and Arequipa meet in Juliaca and extend to Puno city. Area 27,804 square miles (72,012 square km). Pop. (1990 est.) 1,024,000. city and capital of Puno departamento, southern Peru. It lies on the western shore of Lake Titicaca at 12,549 feet (3,826 m) above sea level, on the high, cold Collao Plateau. Founded in 1668 as San Carlos de Puno, in honour of Charles (Carlos) II of Spain, the city has retained a colonial flavour, particularly in its churches and cathedral (built 1754). Pre-Columbian funeral towers are nearby. Puno serves as a commercial and communications centre of the southern Peruvian Andes and trades in the wool of llamas and alpacas. Steamers regularly ply Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, between Puno and Guaqui, Bolivia (which is linked by road to La Paz). Puno is also the terminus of rail lines from Cuzco and Arequipa, which unite in Juliaca, and it is accessible by road and air. Tourism is an economic asset. The city is the seat of the National Technical University of the Altiplano (1885). Pop. (1990 est.) 99,600.