Peru is a nation in South America. It shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific coastlines to the south.
Most people have it on their bucket list to visit the stunning and enigmatic Machu Picchu. How much more do you know about Peru, though? The nation offers natural beauty, an intriguing history, adventure, dramatic and varied landscapes, wildlife, vibrantly colored people, and delectable cuisine. Yes, you should go to Machu Picchu, but there are also many other exciting things in Peru that you should discover.
1. Facts About Peru and Peru’s Geography
After Brazil and Argentina, Peru is the third-largest country in South America(pacific coast); 1,285,216 square kilometers make up this area. Peru’s metropolis called Lima is the capital city. The capital city consists of nearly 268,352 people. 31,331 people are living in the nation as a whole. The interesting facts about Peru are that the three official languages of Peru are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara.
The most used language is Spanish (initially the official language) among the other official languages. Additionally, it’s estimated that the native tribes that inhabit the Amazon jungle speak a combined total of about 13 different languages.
The facts about Peru, are that the nation is also home to 47 indigenous languages. The tropical amazon basin, along with the mighty amazon river contains many animal species which are hidden from the outside world.
2. The Inca Empire
These quipus, which varied in size and color from one another, were made from wool or cotton strings and attached to a cross cord at one end. Each represents information such as crop measurements, thefts, debts, and other occurrences.
Other Peru facts are that one of the only Inca towns to have escaped the pillaging of the Spanish conquerors is Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders. Due to the theory that the Spanish never even set foot on its grounds, it is known as “The Lost City of the Incas.“
The elevation of Machu Picchu is 2,430 meters above sea level. While Machu Picchu is situated close to two fault lines and Peru is known for its high seismic activity and frequent earthquakes, the colosseum is essentially shielded from any damage by these events thanks to the “dancing rocks.”
3. the Crop that Powers Worldwide Dishes Is Potato and Traditional Peruvian Dish
Image by DEYSER GUEVARA CORONEL from Pixabay/ Copyright 2022
There are almost 100 different varieties of corn and 3000 different domesticated potato varieties in Peru. Even though potatoes are famous in Ireland, the crop originated in the Andes. Before the 16th century, no European, African, or Asian had ever seen or eaten a potato.
Peru has other native crops besides potatoes. There is a strong connection between identity and food in Peru, and each region of the country has its special dish. Find Peruvian cuisine in a restaurant near you, from Comida Criolla in Lima to Cuy Chaqtado in Cusco to Rocoto Relleno in Arequipa.
4. Award for The Best Food Metropolitan
Image by Jhon herrera chavez from Pixabay/Copyright 2022
The World Travel Awards (WTA) honor the nations and cities that provide travelers and consumers with the best culinary experiences each year. Peru is the clear winner in terms of travel destinations for foodies. Since 2012, the nation has won the title of “World’s Leading Culinary Destination” each year.
Peru is the only nation to have received the award thus far. The fun facts about Peru are that the international community is taking notice of Peru’s thriving culinary scene. Peruvian cuisine takes the top spot on the list of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America. Astrid y Gastón, Central, and Maido, respectively, are the owners of positions 1, 2, and 7.
Also, the roasted guinea pig from guinea pigs is some other exotic variety found in this beautiful country.
5. Flora and Fauna
Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay/ Copyright 2021
Peru is home to three-quarters of the 10 million alpacas in the world, which is more than half of the animals. The national animal found in parts of southern Peru is rare, known for its wool Vicuna is well known by the Peruvian people (Quechua people).
The interesting facts about Peru are the imposing Andes Mountains to Peru’s Colca Canyon which serves moon-like landscapes. Peru facts are that the enormous volcanoes, llamas grazing in the wild, and the Giant Andean condor, the largest flying bird on Earth are all the scenic beauty one will get to only see in Peru.
Other interesting facts about Peru are its flowering plants and natural resources (like natural gas) found in south American countries. The amazon rainforest covers provide a wide variety of flora and fauna. Amazon river nurtures the amazon rainforest. These Peru facts make Peru one of the biologically diverse countries.
The sacred valley of Peru welcomes tourists with its floating islands of lake Titicaca. They were formed by themselves and are inherited by the Uros. The cotahuasi canyon is one of the deepest canyon abdicating the grand canyon. Cotahuasi canyon is twice the depth of the other canyons present in Peru.
6. The Famous Nazca Lines
Image by Monika Neumann from Pixabay/ Copyright 2015
Nobody is entirely certain of what Nazca’s lines are. The only undisputed fact is that they are in South America, on a plateau in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. In 1994, they were included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
The lines are enormous geoglyphs that are strewn across the plateau and depict geometric and natural objects. They are carved into the earth about 135 cm wide and 40–50 cm deep. Since “one can only see the big picture from a distance,” an actual image cannot be recognized from the ground up.
This is why the mysterious Nazca Lines weren’t found until 1939 when commercial air travel was finally feasible.
7. The Beautiful Lakes, Dunes, and Mountains
Image by Patrick Fransoo from Pixabay/Copyright 2018
The Cerro Blanco dune rises 3,860 feet from the base to the summit and is situated in the Sechura Desert in the south of Peru. The best part is the facts about Peru when you can ride dune buggies for hours and up to the top of the dunes, which tower over the quaint desert oasis town of Huacachina. Lake Titicaca, which spans Bolivia and Peru, is the highest lake in the world but not the biggest.
It is much smaller when compared to Lake Titicaca to the Great Lakes of North America. Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake and highest navigable lake. The facts about Peru are that it is the largest lake with only freshwater in south American country.
Not only is Huascarán, also known as Nevado Huascarán in Peru, but it is also the highest mountain in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. It is the sixth-highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere, after Aconcagua, Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, Cerro Bonete, and Tres Cruces, all of which are located much further south in Argentina.
Its elevation is 6,768 metres (22,205 feet).Huascarán, “the only Inca” or “god Emperor of the Inca Empire in the Andes,” was named after Huáscar, a Sapa Inca who lived in the 16th century. In addition, facts about Peru the Rainbow Mountain, also known as Montana de Siete Colores (Mountain of Seven Colors), is situated in the Andes in the Cusco region of Peru. Rainbow mountain is one of the prettiest mountains in Peru.
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Peru’s facts are that it is one of the world’s richest sources of silver, copper, and lead, but a lot of people there live in abject poverty. Without running water or electricity, people live in small homes. They work extremely hard and might not have enough food to eat.
Peru is a South American nation between the Pacific Ocean, Columbia, Brazil, and Bolivia. Peru is a stunning country with mountains, rainforests, and arid coastal plains.
The facts about Peru are that Indian tribes living in the rainforests have probably never encountered other humans, and the rainforests are home to animal species unique to this planet.
You can find snakes, reptiles, big cats, and vibrant birds in the rainforests. Fish, marine animals, and other birds live in and around the ocean. Mountain ranges are the home of llamas and alpacas. The facts about Peru on this flower claim that the puya Raimondi plant grows for 100 years before blooming.
Peruvians divide their nation into 196 provinces and 24 departments (within the departments). According to the Rainbow Mountain Peru map below, the facts about Peru that Rainbow Mountain is situated in the Cuzco department, close to the provinces of Quispicanchi, Pitumarca, and Canis.
Peru is a veritable treasury of antiquated cultures and history. However, the facts about Peru did you know that it is the site of the oldest inhabited settlement in the Americas?
The Norte Chico civilization’s more than 5,000-year-old settlement is located in Caral, or Caral-Supe, about 200 miles from Lima.
Like many other ancient societies, the Incas placed a strong emphasis on astrology and astronomy. They were the only prehistoric culture to define light and dark constellations, though.
The facts about Peru( Peru facts) are that in actuality, a few of the streets in Cuzco were constructed to follow the stars, and of course, Machu Picchu’s sun temples and ritual stones perfectly coincide with the solstices.
Peru facts about the capital of Peru are that Lima was established on January 18, 1535, and was given the name “The City of Kings” or “La Ciudad de Los Reyes” by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizzaro.
Some claim that these facts about Peru are because he found it on the significant Catholic holiday known as Three Kings Day. Others contend that he named the city after his mother, Joanna of Castile, and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
Lima is one of the largest desert cities in the world, second only to Cairo in Egypt. Its location is on a barren stretch of land wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains.
The Rimac River, which flows through the center of Lima, provides it with about 80% of its water partly because of canals constructed by earlier civilizations. Fact about Peru, a minimum of 8% of the populace lacks access to clean drinking water.
Lima had developed into a prosperous trading hub by the 16th century, which attracted pirates. Even Sir Francis Drake tried to free fellow pirates held captive in Lima in 1579.
The facts about Peru to address the problem, the viceroys constructed the Real Felipe Fortress, one of the most expensive structures ever ordered in the Spanish colonies.
However, facts about Peru are one of the most well-known pirate tales that originated in the early 19th century. Spain was forced to leave Lima during the Wars of Independence. How, then, should the city’s wealth be used?
The Viceroy decided to ship the city’s treasures, including 60 million dollar worth of candlesticks, jewels, and life-size gold statues, to Mexico in 1820 for safekeeping.
However, Captain William Thompson, in charge of the ship carrying the treasure to Mexico, could not resist. He slit the guards’ throats, dumped their bodies at sea, and sailed for Costa Rica.
The crew was apprehended by authorities, who hanged them for piracy. By agreeing to lead the Spanish to the hidden treasure, Cook avoided doom. He escaped and was never located.
The establishment of the Universidad Nacional de San Marcos in Lima was a key factor in the early development of the sciences in Peru and facts about Peru. With the contributions of thinkers like Julio C.
Tello, an archaeologist, and José Carlos Mariátegui, a liberation theologian and philosopher, the social sciences have advanced more prestigiously than the physical sciences (political philosopher).
The facts about Peru are that the development of the physical and social sciences overall has been severely constrained by the nation’s challenging political circumstances and the universities’ constrained resources.
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