Peru is one of the most varied countries in the world. A multicultural country, full of traditions, award-winning gastronomy and vast natural reserves.
It has 12 world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO and owns 84 of the 117 life zones that exist in the world. Peru is located in the western part of South America and shares its borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. In its vast territory, of more than 1.2 million km², it covers three regions: Coast, Sierra and Selva. Its current population exceeds 31.5 million inhabitants.
Spanish is the official language of Peru. However, 47 native languages are spoken in the country, including Quechua and Aymara.
Economy of Peru
Peru owns the fastest growing economy in Latin America during the last decade. It has the largest silver reserves in the world, as well as the largest gold, lead and zinc reserves in Latin America.
The coast of Peru is recognized for its maritime resources and export-oriented agribusiness, with star products such as asparagus, blueberries, table grapes, avocados, organic bananas or paprika. The Amazon, meanwhile, contains rich deposits of oil and natural gas, as well as extensive forest resources.
The government has been implementing measures to reduce bureaucratic barriers to investment, encourage the formalization of small businesses, and encourage capital investment in infrastructure.
Currently, Peru has trade agreements with the main economies of the world such as the United States, China or the European Union. In addition, it belongs to trade blocks such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) or the Pacific Alliance.
History of Peru
Peru is a country of very ancient civilizations, which began their development more than ten millennia ago in the cold high Andean punas.
Caral is the culmination of a first cultural process called the Initial Period, whose main characteristics are the construction of staggered adobe temples, circular plazas and small villages around the centers of worship and administration.
Notable archaeological sites such as Sechín, on the Ancash coast, and the Temple of the Crossed Hands of Kotosh, in Huánuco, belong to this stage.
About a thousand years later, Chavín arose in the north-central Andes, in the department of Áncash.
Around 700 BC Another fascinating culture appeared on the central coast, the first great settlers of the desert: Paracas, whose inhabitants were skilled weavers – their large looms with intricate designs have traveled around the world – and stood out for the way they buried their dead.
During the first centuries of our era and after the Chavín hegemony, various manors appeared throughout the territory; among them the Mochica stand out, who extended their domain over almost the entire north coast of Peru.
After this first development, what is called the first regional empire appeared: Wari, around 550 AD. C. As a continuation of the Tiahuanaco culture, forged in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, the Wari dominated an extensive territory and shaped what would later become the Tahuantinsuyo.
They were the ones who began with the layout of the great pre-Hispanic roads and laid the foundations for social administration and the territory that the Incas of Cusco would later inherit.
With the disappearance of Wari, approximately in 1200 d. C. begins the Late Intermediate period, a second wave of regional developments where the Chimú stand out, who built the extensive city of Chan Chan, the largest adobe construction in the world.
This is also the time of the Chachapoyas, the ‘cloud men’, inhabitants of the exuberant cloud forests of Amazonas, where they built the most amazing cities and mausoleums through excavations in sharp cliffs.
Tourism in Peru
Thanks to the legacy of powerful ancient civilizations, Peru is home to more than 5,000 archaeological sites. Many of them are still surrounded by mystery, but they are still capable of transporting the visitor to the time when these cultures flourished. For example, a visit to Machu Picchu allows you to discover the perfection of the Inca Empire; You can get to this sacred place aboard luxury trains that go through impressive mountain landscapes crossed by colorful Andean villages.
Peru is synonymous with nature and is one of the ten countries with the greatest biological diversity and natural resources in the world. With more than 200 protected natural areas, it has 84 of the 117 life zones in the world, in addition to 14 national parks, 15 national reserves, 9 national sanctuaries and 11 reserved areas.
It is home to more than 1,800 species of birds and 10% of reptiles, mammals and fish on the planet. It also has 3,500 varieties of orchids.
Paradise for those passionate about adventure, Peru opens up a wide range of activities for the curious, beginners, amateurs and experts in mainly natural environments: trekking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, surfing, paragliding, hang gliding, camping, canoeing and kayaking are some of them. of the most popular activities within the universe of possibilities offered by the country.