Buenos Dias! Welcome to Peru!
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Peru, located in South America, is known around the
world for its rich and ancient culture and heritage. Its
most famous landmark is the ‘lost city’ of the Inca’s,
Machu Picchu, one of the new 7 Wonders of the
World. Peru is also home to the Amazon Rain Forest,
the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range
and the largest and highest navigable lake in the
world. Let’s discover Peru!
Basic Facts
Capital ! The capital city of Peru is Lima which is
home to more than a quarter of Peru's population!
Population ! 30,147,935
Area ! 1,285,220 sq. km. or 496,223 sq mi.
Languages ! Spanish 84.1%, Quéchua 13%; Aymara 1.7%
Religion ! Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other
3,3%
Exports ! copper, gold, lead, zinc, tin, iron ore, molybdenum,
silver; crude petroleum and petroleum products,
natural gas; coffee, asparagus and other
vegetables, fruit, apparel and textiles, fishmeal,
fish, chemicals, fabricated metal products and
machinery, alloys
Industries ! mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal
fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining,
natural gas and natural gas liquefaction; fishing
and fish processing, cement, glass, textiles,
clothing, food processing, beer, soft drinks,
rubber, machinery, electrical machinery,
chemicals, furniture.
Currency ! Nuevo So
Did You Know…
1. Quechua is one of the official languages in Peru and also
the official language of the Inca Empire.
2. Cotahuasi Canyon is 3,535 meters deep and is one of the
world’s deepest canyons in the world. It is twice as deep as
the Grand Canyon.
3. The Amazon Rain Forest covers two-thirds of Peru.
4. Peru has the highest sand dune in the world called Cerro
Blanco, which is located in the Sechura Desert near the
Nazca Lines.
5. The lost city of Machu Picchu was re-discovered on July
24, 1911 by the American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham.
6. Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and the
highest lake in the world at 3,812 meters.
7. Peru has 1625 types of orchids and 425 can be found
close to Machu Picchu.
8. Mashed potatoes, French fries and chips originated in
Peru.
Amazon River
Sacred Valley
Traditions
1. During indigenous celebrations, people usually roast meats
like llama, guinea pig, pork and lamb.
2. Many Peruvians make ‘pagos’ or repay Mother Earth or
Pachamama.
3. You generally address people by Señor, Señora or Señorita
if you don’t know someone really well.
Festivals
Peru has approximately 3,000 festivals every year! Many of
them revolve around Catholism. Some of the festivals include…
Dia de Todos los Santos
Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) and Día de los
Difuntos (All Souls’ Day) is one of the most popular festivals
celebrated everywhere in Peru and rooted in Incan culture. It is
a day when people pay their respect to those who have died.
People go to mass and take flowers and food to the cemetery to
share with those who have passed away. In the evening,
relatives and friends get together for a meal of lechon or
roasted pork with tamales. There is a candlelight vigil held at
night at the cemetery until dawn.
Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi is a festival celebrated by the indigenous people
who live in the Andes region of Peru. It is celebrated in honour
of the Sun God, Inti. It has been celebrated since the Incas time
in thanks for the corn harvest during the week of the summer
solstice in June.
Famous Places in Peru
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, referred to as the ‘lost city’ is Peru’s most
visited sight with over 300,000 visitors each day. It was
built in the 1400s by the Incans, but abandoned in the 1,500s.
It was thought that Machu Picchu was a hiding place for
royalty. On July 24, 1911, Machu Picchu was re-discovered by
American explorer, archaeologist, Hiram Bingham.
Cuzco
Cuzco is considered the archaeological capital of
America and was the largest city and capital of the
Inca Empire. It is 4,000m above sea level and is
one of the places that must be visited in order to
reach Machu Picchu.
!
Arequipa
The city of Arequipa is known as the 'Ciudad Blanca' or White
City. It is known for it's famous monasteries, churches and
colonial homes. Nearby is the beautiful Colca Valley and the
Colca Canyon.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is known as the highest lake in the world and is
located in Puno in South Peru. The inhabitants of Puno are
known as the Uros people. The terraced island of Taquile is
known for its traditional textiles. Members of the Amantani
community demonstrate their textiles, agricultural work, stone
carvings and furs to visitors.
On Suasi island, protecting the island is encouraged. Here you will
see man coexisting in harmony with nature. On the Anapia
archipelago, which consists of five islands, you will have the
opportunity to live with a family in their homes and share their
daily activities.
!
Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in
the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. Filled with mystery, as the
specific purpose of the drawing is unknown, some scholars
believe the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca
culture between 400 BC and 650 A.D. The line drawings
range from humming birds to spiders, monkeys, sharks, fish
and lizards. They are believed to have religious significance.
The quantity, size and appearance of the Nazca Lines, which
were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 BC
and 500 AD, make them one of the greatest archaeological
mysteries of the world.
Paracas
Paracas is another breathtaking attraction in Peru where the
desert and the sea meet. Paracas National Reserve is a great
location to see birds and an abundance of nature. The Ballestas
Islands are a wonderful place to go scuba diving, deep-sea
fishing and windsurfing.
Tambopata
Magical Tambopata is located in the Amazon basin, where the
Amazon river ends. The incredible bio diverse reserve covers
an area of 274,690 hectares where there are 169 species of
mammals, 632 species of birds, 103 species of amphibians, 67
species of reptiles and 1200 species of butterflies.
Take a Glimpse of Mesmerizing Peru…
Visit Peru
Peru Travel Guide Video
Peru Travel Guide
Sobrevolando Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu 101/National Geographic
Road to Machu Pichu
Lake Titicaca