About Peru

Both in terms of geography, culture and political power the territory of Peru constituted the most important part of the Inca Empire from 1200 to 1532, when Spain and Fernando Pizarro conquered the country. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and Machu Picchu, a hidden getaway for the rulers. Today it is still under debate whether Machu Picchu was a secluded recreation site or whether it primarily had religious or military purposes. However, experts agree that Machu Picchu was no ordinary city. Long before the Incas, around 9000 B.C., human presence is traced to Peru. The first well-preserved traces of civilization are found in the community of Caral, which dates back to between 3200 and 1600 B.C. and is known as America's oldest civilization. Caral is located 200 km north of Lima and is called one of the cradles of human civilization. Peru's history thus consists of thousands of years of evolution through pre-Columbian periods, culminating with the famous Inca Empire around 1200, which today is a principal magnet for tourists visiting Peru from all around the world.

Peru is the world's 20th largest country with a population of nearly 30 million people. Neighbors of Peru are Chile (South), Bolivia (Southeast), Brazil (East), and Colombia and Ecuador (North). Peru has one of the world's greatest biodiversity due to its climate and geography, spanning across the coast, jungle and mountains.

The country lies in the tropical climate zone, but the Humboldt Current and the Andes’ great variation in altitude allows for a distinct climatic diversity within the country. Peru, in fact, is home to 28 of the world’s 32 existing climates. This also allows for a huge variation in Peruvian natural vegetation and biodiversity which counts an impressive 21.462 registered species of plants and animals. The coast, jungle and mountains stretch across the entire country from North to South and divide Peru naturally into geographical areas.

The entire coast runs along the Pacific Ocean, where you can find cliffs, peninsulas, bays and beaches. The jungle represents the largest area with approximately 60% of Peru and is a vast region with exotic and varied vegetation and wildlife. The jungle is commonly distinguished by a high altitude area with an altitude between 3500m and 800m in humid semi-tropical climate, and a low altitude area with an altitude between 800m and 80m in very humid tropical climate.

The Andes Mountains can be divided into 3 categories from North to South, where the mountain range to the North includes the lower mountains, the mountain range in the center of the country the highest, and the southern part of the Andes forms the tallest.

Peru is a multiethnic country with many complex populations and a rich treasure chest of culture and tradition. The Mestizos, which originally refers to the mixture of Spaniards and indigenous cultures, represent 44% of the majority of the Peruvian population, while the indigenous populations, consisting mostly of Quechua, form the second major population by 31%. In addition, there are 11% white, 7% mulattos besides some other smaller ethnic populations. The Peruvian culture is and has been under heavy influence of immigrated cultures such as Spanish, Chinese, African and European. For more than 500 years these cultures have been characterizing the development and made the society very diverse. The official languages of Peru are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, the latter almost only spoken by the indigenous population. Approximately 81% of the population is Catholic, while Protestants account for about 12%, besides other smaller creeds.
 
Characteristic of Peruvian art production are crafts like jewelry, textiles and ceramics - all of which have backgrounds in indigenous cultural traditions with influence from other cultures.  Music and dance are fundamental ingredients of Peruvian culture and are exercised on a wide range of genres that, like the Peruvian art, have been influenced by new cultures, particularlyAfrican culture. An often overlooked element in the culture is the Peruvian cuisine, which is one of the world's most varied and original, offering locally inspired gourmet food. In the Peruvian plates you can both see and, especially, taste the great many influences from French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, that together with its own flavors has proven a gastronomic originality that today reaps international acclaim.
 

The capital of Peru is Lima, also called "The city of the Kings."

Cusco is 3399 meters (11,152 feet) above sea level.

Peru has a population of approximately 29.5 million people (2010), with around 8.5 million in Lima (Metropolitan Area).

Peru is South America's 3rd largest country (after Brazil and Argentina) and South America's 4th most populated (after Brazil, Colombia, Argentina).

Spanish, Quechua and Ayamara are the official languages in the country.

Peru was an important part of the Inca Empire from about 1200 to 1532, Cuzco being the capital of Inca Empire.

The country became independent from Spain in July 28, 1821.

On the 28th of July Peru celebrates its Independence Day.

Peru is home to over 2,000 varieties of the potato.