PERU
Peru is located in West Central South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean. To its north lies Ecuador and Colombia, to the east Brazil, to the southeast Bolivia, to the south Chile, and to the west, the Pacific Ocean.
Peru was once the center of an extensive South American empire ruled by the Inca which fell to conquerors from Spain in the 16th century. Attracted by the gold and silver mines of the Andes, the Spaniards quickly converted Peru into the seat of their wealth and power and the country remained a Spanish colony until the early 19th century and achieved independence in 1821.
Peru has a fantastically rich history, archaeology, wildlife, enduring indigenous cultures and the extraordinary remains of ancient civilizations, which makes it one of the world’s most visited places.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The area of Peru, including several offshore islands, is 1,285,216 sq km (496,225 sq mi) and ranks third in size among South American countries, after Brazil and Argentina. An astonishingly varied country, Peru has panoramic mountain ranges and at the same time vast deserts, beautiful beaches and tropical jungle.
The influence of the Andes causes great climatic diversity within the country. While the coastal areas have moderate temperatures, low precipitations, and high humidity, except for its warmer, wetter northern reaches, in the highlands rain is frequent during summer, and temperature and humidity diminish with altitude up to the frozen peaks of the Andes.
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
Mining has remained the mainstay of Peru’s economy, although agriculture, fishing, and tourism also contribute towards it considerably. In the recent times the economy of the country has seen a growth owing to improved terms of trade, and rising investment and consumption.
The monetary unit of the country is Nuevo Sol.
PEOPLE, LANGUAGES AND CULTURE
With about 29 million inhabitants, Peru is the fourth most populous country in South America. Peru is a multiethnic country formed by the combination of different groups over five centuries but many of Peru’s people are descended from the Inca or other Native American groups. There is a sharp class and ethnic division in the country that developed during the colonial period persists to this day. In this divided society a wealthy elite of largely Spanish descent has long dominated Peru’s larger population of Native Americans and the mestizos, who are of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
Spanish is the primary language of the country. It coexists with several indigenous languages, the most important of which is Quechua the language of the Inca, and Aymara, a related Indian language. The culture of Peru has its roots primarily in the Amerindian and Spanish traditions, though it has also been influenced by various African, Asian, and European ethnic groups.
CAPITAL AND MAIN CITIES
Lima is the capital of Peru, as well as a major economic and commercial region and the cultural, financial, and transport hub of Peru. Almost one-third population of the country lives there. One of the most fascinating capital cities and tourist destination in South America, Lima attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.
Some of the major cities in Peru are Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo Iquitos, Cuzco, Ica and Puno.
HOW TO REACH
Air
Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport) is the country’s principal airport which is16km (10 miles) northwest of the city center Taxis to the city center are available at the airport. The principal international airlines are LAN and Taca Peru. Airlines with regular services to Peru include Air Canada, American Airlines, Avianca, Continental, Iberia and KLM
Train
The only international rail service in Peru links the towns of Tacna in southern Peru and Arica, just over the border in northern Chile and the train makes only one return trip daily.
Road
There is one main international highway- the Pan-American Highway that runs north–south through the coastal desert of Peru from Tumbes to Tacna.
Transport, mainly coaches, from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela is available through transport companies.
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Take a flight over the ancient Nazca Lines, vast and spectacular geoglyphs, dating back to between 200BC and AD600, 420km (265 miles) south of Lima.
Trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which is one of the world's most famous ancient mountain treks that pass through snow-capped mountains, cloud forest and a string of 12 Inca ceremonial centers.
Explore the magnificent Incan ceremonial center Sacsayhuamán, the most impressive of Cusco's four neighboring Inca ruins on horseback.
Look around for traditional crafts in areas like Ayacucho (specializing in pottery, leatherwork, textiles and jewelry) or Cajamarca. There is also a colorful daily market in Lima's Chinatown district that should be explored
Participate in Cajamarca's Carnival, famous throughout Peru for its annual celebrations that last for an entire month.
Wander around glacial lakes and over spectacular snow-capped peaks near Huaraz in the central Andes and it is also possible to ski on the Pastoruri Glacier, see giant bromeliads and wildlife like the viscacha, puma, vicuña and the rare spectacled bear.
Trek along the extraordinarily beautiful Cordillera Blanca trail, of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald-green lakes and archaeological sites, containing a wide variety of flora and fauna.
There are some other trekking options- the impressive archaeological site Chavín de Huántar; the Cordillera Huayhuash (Huaraz), the deep Colca Valley; and the demanding Mount Ausangate trek.
The awe-inspiring Inca city of Machu Picchu, A World Heritage Site, perched atop a remote mountain northwest of Cusco is worth the effort.
Don't miss a trip to capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, a World Heritage site and a fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture.
Explore the five centuries of colonial history in Lima, admiring the handsome plazas and opulent mansions with their Moorish latticed wooden balconies.
See one of the few buildings that withstood Lima's 1746 earthquake, the UNESCO-listed Church of San Francisco. It has an extraordinary domed roof, a vast library, masterpieces by Jordeans, Rubens and Van Dyck, and catacombs complete with chilling circular displays of the bones of some 70,000 souls.
Glide out upon Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, and visit the unique waterborne reed islands and boats of the native Uros people. The Lake Titicaca is surrounded by ancient ruins and is home to 19th-century steamship, the Yavari.
Delve into Manu National Park, Peru's greatest treasure in biodiversity, which covers an area of 20,000 sq. km (7,722 sq. miles), consisting of tropical rainforest. This World Natural Heritage Site is home to around 2,000 plant species, 1,200 butterfly species, 800 bird types and 200 different mammals, including monkeys, tapirs, sloth, jaguar and capybaras.
Discover more of Peru's countless archaeological treasures, including UNESCO-protected Chan Chan, the largest pre-Inca adobe (mud) city and the nearby huacas or religious pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. The Huaca Arco Iris is beautifully restored and covered with pre-Inca hieroglyphics.
Venture into the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone, which specialists say contains the largest and richest biodiversity of the world. The flora and fauna that lies within this zone includes more than 2,000 flower varieties, 1,000 birds and 900 butterflies and dragonflies.
GETTING AROUND
LAN, Star Peru, Taca and LC Busre handle virtually all domestic air traffic linking Lima to most of the major cities of the country.
Train
The Peru railways runs comfortable tourist trains between Puno and Cusco and between Cusco and Machu Picchu.The Pan-American Highway is well-maintained and runs down the length of Peru's coast, with intersecting highways running east into the mountains. Many mountain roads are unpaved, and almost all are badly potholed and also landslides are frequent in the mountains during the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel.Buses are operated extensively, providing a cheap means of travel. Greyhound-type buses are operated by numerous companies.
Visitors are advised to avoid unlicensed taxi companies; their taxis usually have a red and white taxi sign on the windscreen. Licensed taxi, yellow in colors is the only cabs allowed in downtown Lima.
International car hire firms have offices in all the major cities and bigger airports, in case you are interested in self driving.
WHERE TO STAY
Lima and Cusco have the largest choice of hotels in the country. Some other cities and areas where 5- and 4-star hotels can be found are Arequipa, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Colca Canyon, Ica, Iquitos, Puno, the Sacred Valley and Trujillo.
Throughout Lima and in most major towns, there are many economical ‘pensiones’ and ‘hospedajes’ (guest houses). The quality of accommodation in the provinces varies considerably but the hotels commonly offer good facilities and some properties are considered among the finest in the world. In jungle areas accommodation ranges from 5-star eco-resorts to hammocks strung outdoors. It is advisable to make advance reservations.
If you want to experience the culture of the country, it is possible to arrange a stay in a Peruvian family home, particularly if you enroll in a Spanish-language course.
There are around 20 youth hostels in the country with dormitory, single or twin rooms and they also usually have a bar or cafe and a kitchen.
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