Information
Country: PeruContinent: South America
Peru, South America
Overview
Peru sits on the western edge of South America, a land of ancient ruins, towering Andes, and streets alive with music and color.It’s a land where ancient civilizations once flourished, where traces of colonial rule still shadow the streets, and where cliffs plunge into turquoise seas.Let’s dive into a close look at Peru, starting with its sweeping mountains and the scent of fresh coca leaves in the air.Peru sits between Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the vast Pacific to the west.Along the coast stretches the Costa, a dry, sun-baked strip where sand meets surf.The Sierra rises in the center, with the Andes’ jagged peaks piercing the sky.To the east lies the Selva, the lush Amazon rainforest that blankets about 60% of the country.Here you’ll find Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake shimmering at the Bolivian border; the mighty Amazon River starting its long journey; and towering mountains that soar past 6,000 meters.Peru’s story begins with the Norte Chico Civilization (3000–1800 BCE), one of the oldest in the Americas, followed by the Moche, Chavín, and Nazca cultures, celebrated for intricate art and ingenious engineering.The Inca Empire (1438–1533) rose to dominate pre-Columbian America from its capital in Cusco, until Spanish forces under Francisco Pizarro conquered it in 1532; Lima was founded three years later and grew into a thriving colonial hub.Independence came in 1821, led by figures like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.Today, Peru’s identity blends Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian roots, with Quechua and Aymara spoken alongside Spanish.Visitors flock to Machu Picchu, a mist-covered Inca citadel in the Andes; Cusco’s lively plazas and stone streets; the Sacred Valley’s sweeping terraces and quiet villages; the Nazca Lines, etched like giant whispers into desert earth; the Amazon’s lush biodiversity; Arequipa’s white volcanic stone; and Lima’s historic center and celebrated food scene.Copper, gold, silver, and natural gas drive much of the economy, alongside rich harvests of coffee, quinoa, and avocados, while tourism thrives on the nation’s treasures.Peruvian cuisine dazzles with ceviche bright with lime, beefy lomo saltado, creamy ají de gallina, the tart-sweet kick of a pisco sour, and regional favorites like spicy rocoto relleno or leaf-wrapped juane from the Amazon.In Peru, celebrations burst with color and meaning-from Cusco’s winter solstice Inti Raymi, where dancers in bright woven sashes honor the sun, to February’s Carnival, alive with parades and playful water fights, and Semana Santa’s solemn processions.Traditional dances like the Marinera and Huayno keep the country’s cultural soul moving.This megadiverse land shelters over 1,800 bird species, including the soaring Andean condor and the vivid cock-of-the-rock, along with rare mammals like the vicuña, spectacled bear, and pink river dolphin, and plant life ranging from the steamy Amazon jungle to the high, wind-swept puna grasslands.Yet Peru faces deforestation, mining pollution, climate change, and deep rural poverty, even as it works to protect indigenous traditions amid growing tourism.The best time to visit depends on where you’re headed-May to September brings dry skies to the Andes and jungle, while November to March warms the coast.Getting around is easy via domestic flights, buses, or trains like the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu, and you’ll pay in Peruvian nuevos soles.With its deep history, striking landscapes, and vibrant traditions, Peru captivates travelers and scholars alike.
