Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru Peru
Peru Peru
PERU
LAND OF THE INKAS
Every place on the planet
has something of interest, but Peru is undoubtedly a privileged
country for its great natural, historical and human legacy.
Here, nature lovers will feel gratified by the diversity of environments
and scenery. They will be amazed by the sharp contrast between forests
and deserts on the coast; deep ravines and towering snow-capped
mountains in the Andean highlands; densely forested slopes and huge
plains of thick vegetation in the Amazon jungle; and they will be
surprised at the wide variety of animal and plant life, unique in
the world, that is characteristic to each of these regions.
Those who admire the remains of the past will find magnificent testimonies
to an ancient civilization that dates back six thousand years, with
an unmistakable cultural identity that created wonders such as the
Royal Tombs of Sipan, the Nazca Lines, Chan Chan and Machu Picchu.
And they will be able to see the best examples -in painting, sculpture
and architecture- of the fusion of Hispanic and American cultures.
Adventure travelers will be able to ride tall waves and go looking
for underwater life along the long stretches of natural beaches;
climb high mountain ranges, explore deep caves, run the longest
and biggest rivers on the continent, trek along ancient paths that
wind through different eco-systems; and observe endangered species
up close in natural reserves of indescribable beauty.
Because it is a racial melting pot, Peru is home to a wide variety
of expressions of its peoples through their ancient, creative and
colorful folk art. Visitors can join in age-old celebrations, each
music and dance retelling its own history. They are welcome to share
in the customs and tasks of villagers and witness how farmers have
been able to master the difficult terrain of the coast, highlands
and jungle.
There also will be no lack of oppoortunities for the most demanding
of palates to savor the variety and quality of Peruvian cuisine,
which offers the visitor the best seasoning in the Americas.
TERRITORY
Peru occupies the west central area of South America, on the shores
of the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest country on the continent,
covering 1'285,215.6 km2 (496,221.51m2), a surface greater than
the combined territories of Spain, France and Germany.
Peru is divided into three geographic regions:
- Coast (12% of the territory): a warm climate along the coastline
that includes superb natural beaches, mysterious deserts, fertile
river valleys and exotic dry woodlands.
- Highlands (28% of the territory): a region of varied terrain and
temperate climate, dominated by the snowcapped peaks of the Andes
rising above 6,000 masl, the highest of which is Mount Huascaran,
at 6,768 masl (22,206 ft). It includes deep canyons such as the
Colca and Cotahuasi, the two deepest on the planet; and high plains
like the plateau of Collao, on the shores of the world's highest
navigable lake, Titicaca, at 3,810 masl (12,500 ft)
- Jungle or Amazonia (60% of the territory): a region of tropical
climate, lush vegetation and abundant fauna that is part of one
of the planet's largest natural reserves.
It is here that the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali
rivers forms the Amazon River, the largest in the world.
CLIMATE
Temperatures and atmospheric cycles vary from one region to another.
- Coast: There are two clearly-defined seasons on the coast: summer
(December-March), when temperatures can reach 27°C (80°F);
and winter (April-November), which is very damp and chilly, with
temperatures falling to 12°C (53°F). Although it rarely
rains on the coast, mist and drizzle are common during the winter.
The far north coast enjoys sunshine all year round, with
temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) in the summer.
- Highlands: The climate is dry and temperate, with two clearly-defined
seasons: the dry season (April-October), with sunny days, very cold
nights and scant rainfall -the ideal time to visit the Andes- and
the rainy season (December-March). There is a sharp contrast in
temperature between sun and shade, and temperatures can often vary
widely during the same day, from 20°C (68°F) to 2°C
(35°F).
- Jungle: The climate is tropical and humid. There are two well-defined
seasons: the summer or dry season (April to October) with sunny
days and temperatures above 30ºC (86ºF), and the rainy
season (November to March), with frequent heavy showers and high
river levels.
Information on weather conditions in Peru is available on Internet:
http://www.senamhi.gob.pe
http://www.weather.com
POPULATION
AND POLITICAL SYSTEM
Peru has a population of approximately 27 million people. The coast
is home to 52% of the total population, while 36% live in the highlands
and 12% in the jungle. The population is predominantly mestizo or
racially mixed, and most speak Spanish, although there are two important
minorities: the Quechua and Aymara, and the native population of
Amazonia, which is subdivided into 14 linguistic families and 42
ethnic groups.
Peru is politically divided into 25 regions (Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac,
Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco,
Ica, Junin, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Lima-Provinces, Loreto, Madre
de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes
and Ucayali) as well as the capital, Metropolitan Lima, which has
no regional status.
Peru is a democracy whose public powers are the Executive, headed
by the President of the Republic; the Legislature, which is a one-chamber
congress; and the Judiciary. General elections, to elect a President
of the Republic and the representatives to Congress, are held every
five years. Regional and municipal elections are held every four
years, the most recent held in 2002.
Currently, the Constitutional President of the Republic is Dr. Alejandro
Toledo, whose mandate concludes on July 28, 2006.
BRIEF
HISTORY
Peru is one of the great original centers of ancient culture, along
with Mexico, Mesopotamia, India and China. Paleolithic man left
his first traces here and began to develop villages of hunter-gatherers
around 6000 B.C. (as seen in Lauricocha, Huanuco). Farming settlements
began to form around 2500 B.C., planting manioc, broad beans, quinoa,
potatoes, cotton and maize.
Prior to the arrival of the Conquistadors from Europe, Peruvian
history is divided into five stages or horizons:
- Early Horizon (1200 B.C. - 200 B.C.): Small states were formed,
with the elite holding economic and religious power. Chavin de Huantar
(Ancash) belongs to this stage, with its temple of underground passages
that include monochromatic pottery and megalithic art. Other key
remains are those of Caral (Lima) and Sechin (Ancash).
- Intermediate Early Horizon (200 B.C. - A.D. 600): This is the
era of the great centers of regional development. The important
cultures are those of Tiahuanaco (Puno), Mochica and Lambayeque
(Lambayeque and La Libertad), Nasca and Paracas (Ica). Tiahuanaco
is known for its Chullpas or funeral towers at Sillustani (Puno);
the Mochica are famous for the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan;
the Lambayeque built the pyramids of Tucume; the Nazcas made remarkable
pottery and drew the mysterious Lines in the desert; and the Paracas
wove wonderful textiles.
- Middle Horizon (A.D. 600 - A.D. 900): The epoch when the Wari
culture spread throughout the Andean region. Evidence lies in the
citadels of Wari (Ayacucho), Pikillacta (Cuzco) and Marca Huamachuco
(La Libertad).
- Late Intermediate Horizon (A.D.900 - A.D. 1400): This period is
marked by a group of regional states with well defined cultural
features. The important cultures are those of Chimu and Chincha
on the coast; Cajamarca and Huanta in the highlands; and Chachapoyas
in the north jungle. The structures representative of this period
are the Chimu citadel of Chan Chan (La Libertad), the funeral center
of the Windows of Otuzco in Cajamarca, and the Chachapoyan citadel
of Kuelap (in Amazonas).
- Late Horizon (A.D.1400 - A.D. 1532): This is the period predominated
by the Incas, native to Cuzco, who built an imperial form of government
throughout the entire Andean world. Their main legacy is their architecture
in Cuzco. This period concludes in 1532 with the Spanish Conquest.
The Colonial period developed between 1532 and 1821, from which
there is a magnificent artistic heritage. Examples include paintings
such as those of the so-called Cuzco School; architecture as in
the Santo Domingo convent in Cuzco (built on the ancient Inca temple
of Koricancha) and the convent of Santa Catalina in Arequipa. Independence
was declared on July 28, 1821 and later consolidated with the victory
of the Battle of Ayacucho on December 9, 1824.
LANGUAGE
AND CURRENCY
The official language is Spanish, although the State also recognizes
all other native languages and dialects. The Roman Catholic Church
enjoys a favored status but the State guarantees full religious
freedom. Basic English is taught at most schools. English is generally
spoken by people who work in the travel industry, such as tour guides
and personnel at travel agencies and hotels. The Peruvian currency
is the Nuevo Sol (S/.); circulation is in coins of 5, 10, 20 and
50 céntimos, and 1, 2 and 5 Nuevos Soles; and banknotes for
10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles. Most shops, restaurants and
gasoline stations accept US dollars and euros at the daily exchange
rate.
Most hotels and commercial establishments in cities throughout the
country accept major credit cards: Visa, Master Card, Diners and
American Express. Travelers checks are not widely used. Check with
the establishment whether they are accepted.
To find out the latest exchange rate, check out:
http://www.editoraperu.com
http://www.peru21.com
TIME
AND SERVICES
Peruvian time is 5 hours behind or less than Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT) and coincides with Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United
States. Peru is on the same time as New York; Santiago de Chile
and Caracas are an hour ahead; Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are
2 hours ahead; and Tokyo is 15 hours ahead.
Electric current is 220 volts. The telephone system operates with
direct dialing for local and international calls; telephone directories
provide the code numbers for each city. There are public Internet
booths almost everywhere in the country.
HOW
TO GET THERE
- By air: Peru is linked by direct flights and connections to the
main cities of Europe, Asia and the Americas. The main port of entry
is International Jorge Chavez Airport (Callao, Lima). The airports
of Arequipa, Cuzco, Chiclayo, Iquitos, Pisco, Pucallpa, Tacna and
Trujillo are also equipped to receive international flights.
- Overland: One can enter Peru via the Pan-American Highway through
the city of Tacna in the south, or through the city of Tumbes in
the north. Access is also possible from the city of Loja (Ecuador)
which is connected by road to the city of Piura. There are two entry
routes from Bolivia: Copacabana - Yunguyo - Puno;
and La Paz - Desaguadero - Puno.
- By river: The only point of entry by river is along the Amazon,
with private rivercraft services coming from the cities of Leticia
(Colombia) and Tabatinga (Brazil) to the port of Iquitos (Peru).
- By lake: Lake Titicaca links Peru to neighbouring Bolivia, with
which Peru enjoys bustling trade and tourism links.
- By sea: Cruise liners call at Callao, Peru's main port. Some cruises
also call at the ports of Salaverry (Trujillo) and Chimbote (Ancash),
in northern Peru; and at San Martin (Ica) and Matarani (Arequipa)
in the south.
