As it stands now, Machu Picchu is a bustling tourist attraction. It is maintained so that people from all over the world can experience its breathtaking architecture, and learn about its’ vast history, and that of the Inca empire. The site is now state owned, and is protected under the legal and historical sanctions of Peru. Machu Picchu also serves as a secure habitat for several endangered species such as the Ocelot and the Andean Condor. Finally, as the last standing stronghold of the Inca’s, as well as the superb architectural and archeological importance, Machu Picchu is one of the most important cultural sites remaining in Latin America.