Huancavelica or
Wankawilka in
Quechua is a city in
Peru. It is the
capital of the
Huancavelica region and according to the 2007 census had a
population of 40,004 people (41,334 in the metropolitan area). The city was established on August 5, 1572 by the Viceroy of Peru
Francisco de Toledo.
Indigenous peoples represent a major percentage of the population. It has an approximate
altitude of 3,660 meters; the
climate is cold and dry between the months of February and August with a rainy season between September and January. It is considered one of the poorest cities in
Peru.