With more than 10,000 years of history, Peru boasts a great wealth of cultures and traditions. It has delicious, acclaimed gastronomy, possesses imposing archaeological complexes, 12 Unesco world heritage sites and has vast natural reserves. It is undoubtedly one of the most varied countries in the world.
Peru is located in the western part of South America. Its territory borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. It covers 1,285,215 km2 of land and 200 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean, as well as 60 million hectares in Antarctica. It has an estimated population of over 31.5 million inhabitants.
It is the third largest country in South America and one of the 20 largest in the world – its surface area covers more than the territories of Spain and France combined. Being a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, it has a scientific station called ‘Machu Picchu’ on this continent.
The country is divided into 25 regions or departments, including the constitutional province of El Callao, where Peru’s main port is located. The capital is Lima, a city founded in the year 1535 by the Spanish, and becoming the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. After independence in 1821, it became the capital of the republic.
Peru is a highly diverse country. It has 11 ecoregions and 84 of the 117 life zones that exist in the world. It has an enormous range of landscapes due to its geographical conditions, which in turn give it a great diversity of natural resources. Three main regions can be identified in its territory, which is the traditional way of dividing it according to altitudes: Coast, Mountains and Jungle.
The Jungle occupies 59% of the territory of this country, where 12% of the country’s population is concentrated. The Mountains, dominated by the Andes mountain range, occupy 30% of the territory and are home to 36% of the population. Most of the population – 52% – is concentrated on the coast, despite only occupying 11% of the national territory.
Spanish is the official language of Peru and is spoken by 84% of the population. In addition, 47 native languages are spoken in the country, including Quechua and Aymara, spoken by 13% and 1.7% of the population, respectively.
In July 2016, a new government took charge, headed by the president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski from the party Peruvians for Change. This was the fourth democratically elected government after the transitional government of 2000, which announced general elections for the following year, showing the political stability of this country.
The confluence of creeds, customs and experiences have created in the lives of Peruvians about 3,000 popular festivals a year, including patron saints, processions, carnivals and rituals, expression of faith in a God, respect for nature and the celebration of freedom. The parties in Peru have a mystical aspect, most manifest the fusion of Catholicism with the pre-Hispanic traditions of each region. The payment to the land is part of the main celebrations in all regions, under the concept of giving back to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) for her eternal generosity.
Since pre-Hispanic times, music and dance have played an important role in Peruvian society. Ancient Peruvians used sea shells, reeds and even animal bones to produce sounds. It is said that the Peruvians of the Nazca culture were the most important pre-Hispanic musicians on the continent. Panpipes or zampoñas, terracotta trumpets and pututos were some of the most important musical instruments in ancient Peru. The music explored religious, war and secular themes.
Another result of its many cultures, Peru today has a rich and varied folklore and a wide diversity of both musical styles and dances, which combine indigenous genres and spirit with Hispanic influences, as well as modern styles that have adapted to the changes and tastes of society’s main social groups.
Peruvians are increasingly proud of their historical and cultural wealth, both past and present. After turning our backs on our Andean origins for centuries, modern Peru now fully recognises the value of the Andes and the Amazon for all that they represent in terms of resources and ancient traditions.
We are the oldest civilisation in South America. It was from Peruvian territory and our empire that neighbouring countries emerged. Peru was the political and productive centre of the region, with an excellent geographical location.
Modern Peru boasts entrepreneurs who have rediscovered their capacity to create new riches, businesses and services. The country has overcome difficult political and economic crises. Although Peru is still undergoing the consolidation of its State institutions, the country has now seen over two decades of democracy.
In general, Peru is welcoming, just like its people, who are incredibly attentive to visitors, with their food and many celebrations. Peruvians are passionate about football, and, as well as being the national sport, it is a great reason for family and friends to get together.
Peruvian people are very religious and Catholicism features prominently in their lives, but it exists peacefully alongside other belief systems.
Maximum temperature 27° C (81°F )
Minimum temperature 14° C (57°F )
It is connected by the Pan-American Highway with several cities of the coast of Peru, Ecuador and Chile. Towards the east, the Central Highway allows communication with different cities of the sierra and the central jungle.
Regular flights to the main cities of the world from the Jorge Chávez International Airport (located in the Province of Callao, 40 minutes from the city of Lima).
Lachay National Reserve 105 Km / 2 hours 30 minutes
Pachacamac 35 Km / 1 hour 10 minutes
Caral 206 Km / 4 hours
Lunahuaná 181 Km / 3 hours
Barranca 194 Km / 2 hours 30 minutes
Minimum 3 msnm (Ancón)
Maximum 861 msnm (Chosica)