Peru Fast Facts

Peru is located in South America, bordering Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. The third largest country on the continent is rich in culture, nature and beautiful landscapes. The Andes, the Amazon, rainforests – there is a lot to discover! See andyeducation for education in Peru.

Fast facts to know

• Peru has a very diverse flora and fauna.
• Peru is one of the 3 countries in Latin America with the largest percentage of indigenous populations.
• Lake Titicaca is the second largest lake in South America. It is located between Bolivia and Peru.
• Cuy, guinea pig, is one of the most important sources of food for the population.
• The ruined city of Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
• The national sport of the country is soccer.
• Peruvians are pragmatic and like to sleep.
• In Lima it is foggy, wet and cool for several months.
• Peru is the second country after Brazil with the largest proportion of the Amazon rainforest.
• Peru has one of the world’s largest populations of butterflies.
• Inca Kola is more popular than Coca Cola.
• Knitting has a long tradition in Peru.
• Conservation plays a big role in Peru. Around 17% of Peru’s land area is covered with a total of 158 protected areas.
• The mains voltage in Peru is 220 volts. The sockets are partly like in Europe.
• The crime rate is high.
• Slums in big cities should be avoided.
• Night bus and intercity journeys are discouraged.
• Notes from the Foreign Office.
• A passport with at least 6 months validity is required for entry.
• When traveling to designated yellow fever endemic areas (Amazon region, areas east of the Andes below 2,300 m), timely vaccination against yellow fever, ie 10 days before entry, is urgently recommended.
• Furthermore, the usual standard vaccinations are recommended. Other risks include chikungunya epidemic, dengue fever, malaria, diarrheal diseases & other diseases.
• The Atacama Desert is the driest region on earth.

Exciting cities in Peru

• Arequipa
• Ayacucho
• Lima
• Iquitos
• Cusco
• Trujillo
• Cajamarca
• Chachapoyas
• Tarma
• Urubamba

History of Peru

• 20,000 to 10,000 BC the first immigrants settled in the country.
• 3200 BC Chr monumental buildings arise.
• 1500 BC – 800 AD: early advanced civilizations: Chavín de Huántar, Nazca culture, Tiahuanaco culture.
• 1200 The Inca Empire comes into being and encompasses large parts of what are now the states of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
• 1532 Spaniards conquer the country.
• 18th century marked by repression against Indios.
• 19th century Peru gains independence from Spain, but remains internally torn.
• 1879 Saltpeter War in alliance with Bolivia is lost with subsequent invasion by Chile.
• 1881 Chile invades Lima.
• In 1883, after a peace treaty and the cession of Tarapaca and Tacna to Chile, the Chileans withdrew from Peru.
• Economic crisis into the 20th century.
• 20th century Oligarchic rule and political renewal.
• Peru supported the Allies in World War II.
• 1941 Peruvian-Ecuadorian War results in territorial gains for Peru.
• 1945-1968 On the way to becoming a modern state.
• 1968 coup leads to military government.
• Beginning of democratization from 1980.

Climate & travel weather in Peru

• Very different climatic conditions.
• Pacific coast: very dry.
• North: more precipitation, very warm.
• South: more temperate climate.
• Andes: Mountain climate, from 5,000 m altitude temperatures below 0° C.
• East: rain forest with subtropical climate with little temperature fluctuation.
• Recommended travel time:
  • Lowlands: May-Sep.
  • Pacific: Dec-April (less fog & cloudiness).
  • Andes: May-Sep (rather dry).
  • Rainforest: all year round (very hot and heavy rain possible at any time).

Ideas for trips in Peru

• Explore the wonder of the world Machu Picchu.
• Hiking in the Cordillera Blanca.
• Marvel at the Nazca Lines from the plane.
• The Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Oasis Village of Huacachina.
• Orchid City Moyobamba.
• Gocta – the third highest waterfall on earth.
• Tombs at Chiclayo.

Eating & Drinking in Peru

• Peruvian cuisine is among the best in the world.
• Influenced by Spanish, Chinese and Japanese culture.
• National dish ceviche (raw marinated fish), national drink pisco sour (pisco schnapps mixed with lime juice, egg white, syrup and a drop of angostura).
• Street food is very popular (but mostly not for European stomachs).
• Be careful with water and not boiled!
• Mostly hearty and rich dishes.
• Land of the best potatoes in the world!
• Popular herb: coriander.
• Herbs and onions are often served in very hot pepper juice.
• Grilled cuy (guinea pig) is considered a great delicacy.
• Alpaca meat is rarely offered.
• Fish and seafood are also very popular.
• Chifas, Chinese restaurants are very common.
• Drink mate de coca is said to protect against altitude sickness.
• Many restaurants close their kitchens between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Typical dishes:
  • Chupe de camarones (milk-fortified bouillon with potatoes, eggs, shrimp).
  • Adobo (roast pork cooked in corn-fermented beer, with whole onions).
  • Ají de gallina (spicy cooked chicken breast).
  • Anticuchos (meat skewers).
  • Rice with duck (Reis mit Ente).
  • Chair choclo (corn on the cob with cheese).
  • Chairo (soup with pieces of meat, dried potatoes, beans).
  • Escabeche (chicken or fish vegetable stew).
  • K’apchi de setas (guinea pig stew with beans, potatoes and milk, served with rice).
  • Lechón al horno (suckling pig with sweet potato).
  • Lomo saltado (de-boned sirloin).
  • Pachamanca (various meats and vegetables cooked in the ground on hot stones).
  • Picante (meat cooked with garlic, onions and tomatoes).
  • Pollo a la brasa (grilled chicken).
  • Rocoto relleno (minced meat rolled in egg and then fried with cheese, peanuts and rocoto spice, spicy).
  • Rocoto relleno (large hot pepper)
  • Sara lawa (cream made from cornmeal, potatoes, cheese and eggs).
  • Tamales (cooked pockets made from corn stalks stuffed with ground beef and cornmeal).
  • Doña Pepa nougat (Kuchen mit Zuckerrohrsirup).

Particularly scenic

• Titicaca See
• Tambopata Nature Reserve
• Paracas National Park
• rainforest
• The Andes
• Atacama Desert
• Colca Canyon
• Tarapoto and its cloud forests & waterfalls
• Rainbow Mountains