Juliaca

Juliaca is the capital of San Román Province in the Puno Region of southeastern Peru and the largest city of the region, with 276,110 inhabitants at the 2017 count. It stands on the Collao Plateau of the Altiplano at 3,825 metres above sea level, northwest of Lake Titicaca, and is the biggest trade centre of the Puno Region. It is nicknamed the Windy City for its exposed plateau and the Sock City or Knitting City because it was long a centre of sock, sweater and handicraft production, a trade that has since become industrial production of clothing, wool and fabrics. The Altiplano around it has been farmed and grazed since about 4000 BC, and the Uros settled in the river towns and lakes nearby. Parish records document a Spanish foundation under the name Pueblo de Santa Catalina de Juliaca. Each year between February and March the city holds its Carnaval Juliaca, in which dancers in colourful costumes perform in the style of the Collao Plateau, and on 20 January it celebrates the feast of Saint Sebastian.