It has an approximate altitude of 3,676 meters; the climate is cold and dry between the months of February and August with a rainy season between September and January.

They consist of the western chain of the Andes, which includes the Chunta mountain range, formed by a series of hills, the most prominent of which are: Sitaq (5,328m), Wamanrasu (5,298m) and Altar (5,268m).

[2] Caving became top to bottom in 1806 in order to avoid several disasters in previous years.

The deposits of Huancavelica were disclosed in 1564, or 1566, by the Indian Nahuincopa to his master Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera.

Considered the "greatest jewel in the crown", they eliminated the need to ship mercury from Almadén.

Due to the need of numerous hand-workers and the high rate of mortality, the Viceroy of Peru Francisco de Toledo resumed and improved the pre-Columbian mandatory service of the mita.

Due to the discovery and then the extraction of the azogue (mercury) in a hill close to the actual location of the city, the Santa Barbara mine became famous in the new world[2] and its activity led to the Viceroy of Peru, Francisco de Toledo, to establish the city in 1572 with the name of Villa Rica de Oropesa.

[4] In the modern times, due to different political and economical events, the city went through a period of decades of lack of progress from the rest of the country.

[citation needed] Huancavelica is serviced by a train which runs between it and Huancayo known as "el Tren Macho".

[7] The region is also home to the University for Andean Development (Universidad para el Desarrollo Andino) located in Lircay, which is a city one hour from Huancavelica.

[citation needed] Mercury, lead, and arsenic contamination owing to centuries of quicksilver mining in the city's surrounding expose approximately 19,000 of Huancavelica's residents to severe health threats.

[8] Pregnant mothers, foetuses, and children are most at risk of health implications from mercury exposure.