16:39 | Cusco, Feb. 04 (ANDINA).
The Qhapaq Ñan, also known as the Andean road system, has great chances to be considered for inclusion in Unesco's World Heritage list thanks to "the solid foundation of the file" submitted to the U.N. body, according to a local authority.
"Based on the foundation of the 1,900-page file, we are convinced that the Qhapac Ñan will be awarded world heritage status," said David Ugarte, regional director of culture in Cusco.
Ugarte explained that the work began in 2004 and it was the first time that six countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) join forces to submit a file for Unesco World Heritage recognition.
He added that the evaluation of the file takes about a year to be completed with a final decision expected for next year.
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru share a common cultural heritage of outstanding value: the Qhapaq Ñan, or Main Andean Road.
For the past three years the World Heritage Centre has been assisting these countries in a pioneering project: the preparation of a single nomination for the inclusion of Qhapaq Ñan in the World Heritage List entailing an original and innovative regional cooperation process.
Qhapaq Ñan was the backbone of the Inca Empire’s political and economic power. The whole network of roads over 23,000 km in length connected various production, administrative and ceremonial centres constructed over more than 2,000 years of pre-Inca Andean culture.
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Published: 2/4/2013