Peru is one of those countries that has all; from history to culture; from beaches to archaeology; from one of the best foods all around the world to experiences
So, it is very important to know facts about Peru to have a glorious trip
Let’s start with so data that allows us to know and explore more in this magnificent country, full of charm and history.
The languages. – Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara are all official languages in Peru. Spanish is the most widely spoken of the three, with over 80% of Peruvians speaking this language.
The population. – There are more than 33 million people currently living in Peru.
This population is made up of groups from different cultures and backgrounds – like the Andes Mountain communities and tribes living in the Amazon Rainforest.
These communities have inhabited the land for over five centuries. Just Lima, the capital of the country has more than 10 million inhabitants
Peruvian Potatoes
The potato is a superfood, containing almost every kind of vitamin you need. Its birthplace? Peru.
With more than 3,000 types of potato grown in the country, why not sample as many as possible in between conducting English classes or your community development volunteer work in the Amazon?
Lima, the capital city
Francisco Pizarro – a sixteenth-century Spanish colonizer – founded the city of Lima in 1535 to serve as the seat of power for the Spanish colonists.
Most visitors to Peru will skip Lima in their excitement to get to Cusco; but, with so much history to learn about, visiting Lima is one of the best things to do in Peru.
Peru is home to a traveler’s delight of landscapes, and records of culture and history dating back thousands of years. Did you know that if you travel to Peru, you could see some of the world’s most well-known historical architectural features, like Machu Picchu, as well as plant and wildlife species found nowhere else on Earth, like the Peruvian sundew?
For adventurers, the famous lost Incan city of Machu Picchu is a mecca. But Peru is more than Machu Picchu. It is a treasure trove of other pre-Columbian ruins, a biodiverse land from the peaks of the Andes to the waves of the Pacific, and a modern economy on the rise, particularly in the increasingly sophisticated city of Lima.
As World Strides says: Peru has risen in its world standing in recent years, thanks in part to several of its most traditional occupations. It has always been rich with fish, gold, and silver, and as these commodities prices rose, Peru’s economy rose with them. It has become one of the most important and powerful countries in South America, as well as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. Visitors revel in its “modern meets ancient” spirit, exploring civilizations long gone and nations just now emerging.
Machu Picchu
Intrepid travelers flock to Peru every year to tackle the Inca Trail – a well-known four-day hiking trail on the Andes Mountain range that leads to Machu Picchu. And why is Machu Picchu so popular? Well, it’s one of the places where you can see tons of Inca architecture and learn heaps about Peruvian history.
In 2007, the site – often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas” – was voted in as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Archaeologists have learned that the fourteenth-century Inca people had an excellent understanding of the alignment of the stars.
The civilization even built each sun temple, as well as the Intihuatana stone, to line up with the sun for each solstice. It’s believed that hundreds of men pushed rocks up the steep mountainside to build this wonder of the world.
Peru’s food
Did you know that Peru is considered one of the top foodie destinations in the world?
Michelin-star chefs from many different countries fly to Lima and Cusco to learn how to master their trade.
From 2012 to 2019, the country was named the World’s Leading Culinary Destination by the World Travel Awards.
The Pisco Sour
Pisco sour is a Peruvian brandy that is mixed with lemons, sugar, water, egg whites, ice and bitters.
Invented in the early 1920s by an American bartender, you can also try a version of the drink (called chilcano) that’s made without the egg whites.
Some other facts about Peru
– Caral-supe is believed to be the oldest site occupied by humans in the Americas. Its history dates back 5,000 years.
– Three-quarters of the world’s alpaca population lives in Peru. The national animal is the vicuña, a small camelid similar to the alpaca.
– Roasted guinea pig – Cuy – is the national dish of Peru. It is served whole – head and feet intact!
– The weave. It takes between 500 and 600 hours and up to six months to spin, dye, and weave a traditional Peruvian poncho. Nearly every weaving technique known today was invented by Peruvians – and all of them were invented by 3000 B.C.
– Dunes. The highest sand dune in the world, Cerro Blanco, can be found in Peru. It is located in the Sechura Desert and stands 3,860 feet from base to summit.
The canyon – The deepest canyon in the world, Cotahuasi Canyon, is also found in Peru. At 11,004 feet deep, it is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
The empire. The Incan Empire was larger than imperial Rome at its peak. It included 24,855 miles of roads and relied on a network of chasquis (runners) to keep the kingdom connected.
The Incas were the only ancient culture in the world to define constellations of both dark and light. Some of the main streets in Cuzco are designed to align with the stars at certain points of the year.
