Many tourists call Peru the most interesting country in the world. Let's take a short tour of the country and get acquainted with the amazing monuments of the pre-European period.
The city of Lima - the modern capital of Peru - was founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1535. Located on the Pacific coast, it has repeatedly become the center of economic and political events. In the historic center of the city, which is under the protection of UNESCO, many picturesque mansions of the Spanish nobility have been preserved. It is worth looking at them to fully imagine the atmosphere of wealth and pretentiousness of that period. Take a walk around the city, look at its oldest building - a stone fountain of the 17th century, pray at the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, which houses the tomb of the city's founder Francisco Pizarro, admire the statue of San Martin, who declared the independence of Peru.
There are unique museums in Lima: the Inquisition, nations, gold, which are sure to be visited by inquisitive tourists.
Romantic-minded vacationers are waiting on the "street of lovers" Puente de los Suspiros, walking along which they will get to the "bridge of sighs" and an observation deck with a magnificent view of the ocean.
No less interesting are the surroundings of the capital. On the plateau of Marcahuasi you can get acquainted with the peculiarities of the culture of the Stone Age: there are megalithic sculptures and rock paintings, the authorship of which modern scientists can only guess. The religious center of the pre-Inca period - the place of worship of the Creator of the Earth - is located in Pachacamac. In the valley of Puruchuko and Cajamarquilla, there are mysterious structures of unknown purpose.
But special attention should be paid to the city of Cusco. Carved by the Incas in the mountains many centuries ago, it is a mute evidence of the power and greatness of this people. The architectural design of the city was based on the silhouette of the animal sacred to the Incas - puma, all buildings were built without the use of fastening solutions, and all houses are united by a system of watercourses. The ruins of the Palace of the Supreme Inca, built of granite, two statues of the Inca Pachacute towering on the mountain, the Palace of Justice, the churches of Gilles Triunfo and Santo Domingo - all this captivates tourists with its grandeur.
Not far from Cusco are the monumental complex Sacsayhuaman ("Grey stone-colored bird of prey"), which was the military and religious center of the Incas, the ruins of the city of Ollantaytambo, the quaint pyramid city of Ollantaytambo, the "Smoke Valley". After walking around Cusco, let's take a look at the famous Machu Picchu - the most mysterious evidence of the Inca culture. Situated on 33 thousand hectares on a flat mountain plateau in the Urubamba Valley, this sacred city poses a lot of mysteries to modern scientists. Try to solve them too, walking through the temples and palaces carved into the rocks, looking into the Temple of the Three Windows and the "Sacred Square", walking near the Gate of the Sun "Intihuatana" and the observatory.
Well, if you want to believe in something mystical, go on a helicopter ride over the famous Nazca desert, located in southern Peru. The entire area of the desert (and this is about 500 sq. Km.) Is covered with huge drawings, which can only be seen from the air. The images of animals and people in strange clothes carved on the stone in one continuous line make you think about extraterrestrial civilizations.
We only dreamed about the most famous sights of Peru. If you go to this country, you can also see the alpine lake Titicaca and the real floating islands "uros", "the island of knitting men" Tikilu and Amantani Island with the temple of Mother Earth and Father Sky, the city of Puno, located at the bottom of the lake, and many others unique ancient monuments.
And believe me, you can't help but love Peru.
Every person, at least remotely, heard about the incomprehensible and amazing ancient civilization of the Incas, about the mysterious one, where it is unknown by whom and for what gigantic figures were created, which can only be seen from a bird's eye view. Surely, many have heard about the unexplored, full of secrets, about the marvelous relict lake and the captivating chocolate-colored Creoles. This is all - the extraordinary country of Peru.
Peru(Spanish Peru) is one of the largest Latin American states. The full name is the Republic of Peru. A country on the South American continent is inferior in area only to and. On the territory of the country, whose area is 1,285,216 km², Italy, Spain and France, taken together, could freely accommodate.
The capital of the republic is the city (Spanish: Lima).
Photo gallery not open? Go to site version.
general information
Peru is subdivided into 25 departments (+ Lima, which does not belong to any department) and 159 provinces, which in turn consist of 1833 regions.
State. device : Presidential Republic. The head of state is the president, who is elected for a term of 5 years, and ministers are appointed by him. The current president is (Spanish: Martín Alberto Vizcarra), who replaced him in this post in April 2018. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral Congress of 120 congressmen. Executive power in the country is exercised by the President and prime ministers, judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court and local judicial bodies.
Official language: Spanish, Aymara and Quechua. In some areas, Aymara and various Indian dialects are spoken. At the airport, in cities, travel agencies, large hotels and shops you will be understood in English, but in general it is practically not used in the country. About 2 million Peruvians do not speak any of the "European" languages.
Religion: The official religion is Roman Catholicism (90% of the population are Catholics). In general, there is freedom of religion here, the remaining 10% are Protestants, Christians, Adventists, representatives of Judaism and Islam. It should be noted that the local population mega-religious". In kindergartens and schools, religion is studied as a separate subject. It is also customary in families to talk a lot about the "word of God."
Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN).
Favorite sports games: football, volleyball, basketball.
Time: 9 hours behind Moscow in summer, 8 hours in winter.
Population of Peru
The population of Peru is about 32.2 million people (as of 2018), of which more than 9 million people are residents of Lima. Today, the country is ethnically represented by 3 main groups:
- Hispanic Peruvians;
Moreover, 47% of the population, that is, about half of the population, are Indians. Also here live "forest Indians" and foreigners - immigrants from Europe and Asia. Spanish-speaking representatives make up the majority of the population of the Costa and the urban inhabitants of the Sierra and. The rural areas of the Sierra and Selva are inhabited by Indians. The number of foreigners is relatively small, the largest groups - Chinese and Japanese - live in cities.
A bit of history
There are many different opinions regarding the education of Peru. The oldest excavations with traces of human activity date back to the 15th century BC. For many centuries before the birth of Christ, powerful civilizations flourished on these lands, after which cities and treasures of art remained in the form of ceramics, metals, fabrics and various items that are today exhibited in the world's largest museums.
Of all the cultures of antiquity that existed on the territory of the modern country, one stands out (which flourished around the 15th century), which once covered almost the entire South American continent. Until today, the monuments of this mighty civilization are admired by countless tourists.
The new history of the country is connected with who landed in 1532 on the coast of Peru. The country was then in the recovery stage from the devastation and chaos after the civil war, which had been going on for 5 years. Instantly taking advantage of the situation, the Spaniards launched an Indian legend that predicted the appearance of high white gods - messengers of the Sun. The divinity of the Spaniards was confirmed by their outlandish weapons, beautiful sailing ships and "terrible" horses previously unseen by the Indians. On November 16, 1532, the treacherous Pizarro invited the Inca emperor to negotiate in the city of Cajamarca. This meeting turned out to be a trap - the Spaniards met the emperor with his numerous guards with volleys of cannons and a cavalry charge. Although there were only 180 people in Pizarro's detachment, thousands of Indians from the emperor's retinue were taken by surprise by firearms and an unexpected attack and ruthlessly destroyed.
The Inca emperor Atahualpa himself was taken prisoner. For the life of the emperor, the conquistadors demanded a ransom unprecedented in history - to fill with gold to the height of raised hands a large room in which they kept the crowned captive!!! The ransom amounted to an incredible, fantastic amount for that time - about 60 centners of gold and 120 centners of silver. Europe has never seen so much gold before! But when the Indians brought the ransom, the emperor was immediately hanged. The death of Atahualpa led to the collapse of the Inca empire. Having set off on a campaign, the Spaniards plundered everything they came across, destroying palaces, temples and beautiful works of art along the way. Enslaving the Indians, they forced them to work in the mines.
Forming the basis of the social structure of the Incas, agriculture fell into decay, and the ancient aqueducts suffered the same fate. The colonialists planted Catholicism everywhere, proteges of Europe kept the country in an iron grip, appropriating all the resources. Despite this, the culture of the Indians did not disappear. Having undergone some changes, the traditions remained alive. Surprisingly, in remote villages, most Indians still communicate in Quechua and Aymara languages. Of course, since the time of the Incas, the outfits of the Indians have changed significantly, but the holidays and traditional rituals have been preserved.
In the valley of the Rimac River, Pizarro founded the city of Lima. As Lima developed and prospered, religious fanaticism spread and strengthened. Together with the Spanish clergy, the Holy Inquisition invaded Peru, which rampaged from 1570 to 1761. If in the history of Lima the 17th century was a period of religious fanaticism, then the 18th century was the era of romance, in which poetry, fine arts and magnificent balls reigned. But at the same time, the anti-Spanish movement was gaining strength, calls for liberation from expansion were heard more and more actively. The Spaniards ruled the country for almost 300 years. The beginning of the 19th century was marked by a revolution, and on July 28, 1821, independence was proclaimed. But the Spaniards came back to power in June 1823. In 1824, troops from the north invaded Peru, who was an associate. They finally defeated the Spanish colonizers.
Bolivar divided the country into two states - Peru and (named after him). Bolivar ruled in Peru, and appointed Sucre as ruler of Bolivia.
The main changes among the Peruvians took place in the middle of the century, when Ramon Castilla became the president of the country. After all, it was during the reign of Castilla that utilities were founded in Lima, which were engaged in water supply and lighting of city streets, and the first railway on the mainland was also built, linking Lima with the port. The President of Castilla abolished slavery and prepared for the adoption of the Constitution of 1860. However, despite the chain of turbulent events of the 19th century, the majority of the population, the indigenous Indians living in the mountains, the way of life remained the same as in the 17th century. The two worlds existing in Peru, "Indian" and "European", were increasingly moving away from each other.
Since 1962, various military regimes have ruled here, coming to power as a result of coups. From the late 1980s, free multi-party elections began to be held, but this did not lead to civilian rule.
Geographic location and climate
It borders on the South American states: in the north - with and, in the south - with, in the east - with Bolivia and Brazil. The western border is the sandy coast of the Pacific Ocean. The Peruvian Andes stretching from north to south and the tropical forests that cover the Amazon Valley occupy a significant part of the republic.
The whole territory is divided into 3 natural and climatic zones:
- : coast, 12% - a strip of sandy deserts (80 - 150 km wide), which runs along the entire Pacific coast.
- : mountainous region, 30% - a zone located in the central region of the country, these are vast high-altitude plateaus and steep canyons.
- : jungle, 58% - area of moist forests covering the northeast.
The highest point is the peak of Nevado Huascaran - 6768 m.
The country is distinguished by a huge variety of climatic conditions (out of 32 types of climate on the planet, 28 occur in Peru), ecosystems, there are 3 different geographical zones.
The weather conditions of different Peruvian regions differ significantly from each other.
In the western regions, the tropical desert type of climate prevails, in the east - subequatorial, and in the mountainous regions, the altitude of the terrain affects the climatic conditions.
In the west, due to the cold Peruvian Current, passing off the coast of the country, the climate of the Costa is arid. Since the coastal plain, in fact, is a northern continuation, the average annual precipitation here falls from 10 to 50 mm. The driest and hottest season is December - April, during this period precipitation may not be observed at all. The average February t during the day ranges from + 26°C in the south (up to +20°C at night) to + 36°C in the north (+24°C at night). In winter (June-August), daytime air temperatures warm up to +19°C and +28°C, respectively, at night they drop to +13°C and +17°C.
It is located in the west of South America and borders Colombia and Ecuador in the north, Brazil and Bolivia in the east, Chile in the south, and the Pacific Ocean in the west.
The name of the country comes from the Piru River, which means "river" in the language of the local Indians.
Official name: Republic of Peru
Capital: Lima
The area of the land: 1.28 million sq. km
Total population: 29.9 million people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 25 departments.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: The president.
Composition of the population: 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizos, 15% are from Europe and about 3% are from Asia.
Official language: Spanish and Quechua, Aymara and other languages of Indian groups.
Religion: 90% of the believing population of the country are Catholics, the rest profess Protestantism, Judaism and Islam.
Internet domain: .pe
Mains voltage: ~220 V, 60 Hz
Phone country code: +51
Country barcode: 775
Climate
Transitional from tropical in the east to tropical mountainous in the west. The average monthly temperatures on the coast are +15-25 C, in the Andes - from -5 to +16 C. Precipitation - from 700 to 3000 mm. in year. In the coastal strip (Kosta), instead of rain, the smallest drizzle sometimes falls, which is called "garya". The cold Peruvian current reduces the average annual air temperatures on the coast by an average of 6 C.
The ridges of the Andes create an insurmountable barrier to oceanic air masses, resulting in a contrast between the desert slopes of the Pacific coast and the forested slopes facing the Atlantic.
Up to a height of 3500 m, moderate temperatures prevail, without frost and heat, above the zone "puny" ("cold place") begins, which is characterized by strong rarefied air, low temperatures (at altitudes above 4100 m. do not rise above 0 C) and sharp diurnal fluctuations in temperature (during the day sometimes up to +20 C, at night - frosts down to -12 C). The average annual temperature at an altitude of 4500 m is only +2 C.
The climate of the Selva is humid, tropical, with a lot of precipitation. The average annual temperature is +26 - 28 C. From November to March - the rainy season.
Geography
Peru is located in the western part of South America in the Southern Hemisphere. The country's area is 1.29 million square meters. km. Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west, Chile in the south, Bolivia in the southeast, Brazil in the northeast, Colombia in the north, and Ecuador in the northwest.
In the west of the country, along the entire coast, the desert lowlands of the "costa" stretch. The width of this coastal strip varies from 65 to 160 km. Further to the east begins the chain of the Peruvian Andes "sierra". They occupy almost the entire central part of the country and stretch from the northwest to the southeast.
The average height of the Sierra is about 3660 m above sea level. The Peruvian Andes consist of two ranges: Western and Eastern. The highest peak - Mount Huascaran (6768 m) - belongs to the Eastern Range. There are 14 volcanoes in the southern part of the Sierra. The most famous of them is the active volcano Misti (5822 m). In the east of the country lies the tropical plain of the Amazon "Selva", occupied by rain forests. This region occupies about 60% of the territory.
The main rivers of Peru are the Amazon and its tributaries the Marañon, the Ucayali and the Putumayo. In the southeast of the country, on the border with Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is located in a tectonic basin. This is the largest alpine navigable lake in the world, it is located at an altitude of 3812 m, its area is 8446 sq. km. Most of the lake is located in Peru.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
The coastal strip is dominated by desert plants - cacti and thorny bushes. The slopes of the central Andes are covered with a dense subtropical mountain forest, which, with height, is gradually replaced by a forest of a more temperate climatic type - "sekha". The main tree of the seh is the cinchona tree. In the southern part of the Peruvian Andes, drought-resistant feather grass, short grasses and lepidophyllum shrubs grow. Cacti, thorny legumes and deciduous broad-leaved trees are found in the mountain valleys. The selva is occupied by tropical rainforests. Mahogany, zedrel, rubber plants, sarsaparilla, vanilla tree and tropical flowers grow here.
Animal world
The fauna of the desert coastal strip is represented by sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, Peruvian pelicans, Inca terns, brown boobies, lizards, tarantulas and scorpions. In the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, there are tuna, sardines, haddock, bonito, swordfish, mackerel, stone bass, sole, smelt and shrimp.
In the highlands, there are llama, alpaca, guanaco, vicuña, chinchilla, and on the eastern slopes - jaguars, spectacled bears and tapirs. Of the birds, the Andean condor, ibis, partridge, duck, goose, flycatcher and finches live here. The selva is inhabited by tropical animals - jaguar, cougar, armadillo, peccary, tapir, anteater, several species of monkeys, alligator and several species of snakes.
Attractions
Peru is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Numerous monuments of the pre-European period are concentrated here - the cultures of Kilki, Lurche, Nazca, Mochica, Chavan, Chan-Chan, Chimu, Tiahuanco and, of course, Inca. Amazing nature - the great Andes and the "green hell" of the Amazon valley, the sand dunes of the Pacific coast and the relict lake-sea Titicaca, the mysterious Nazca petroglyphs and high mountain deserts - all this is concentrated on a relatively small territory of this country.
- Paracas
- Lake Titicaca
- Tukume
- Chan Chan
- Reserve "Pacaya Samiriya"
- Colca Canyon
- Lake Yarinacocha
- Ollantaytambo
- Pisak
- Ruins of Karala
- Tiahuanaco
- Huascaran
Banks and currency
The official currency of Peru is the new sol. 1 new sol is equal to 100 centimes. In circulation there are banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 new soles and coins of 1, 2 and 5 new soles, as well as 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.
Some shops, hotels and restaurants accept US dollars. US dollars are the easiest currency to exchange, with large commissions when exchanging other currencies. Foreign money can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, hotels and airports. The most favorable exchange rate is in exchange offices, the least favorable - in hotels. Be sure to keep foreign currency exchange receipts before leaving the country, they are necessary for the reverse exchange of unused new salts.
Credit cards are widely accepted in the main tourist centers of Peru. Traveler's checks are most often not accepted for payment, but they are quite easy to exchange.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, some are open on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00.
Useful information for tourists
Peru is one of the safest countries in South America for tourists. However, you need to be careful when visiting crowded places - such as, for example, city markets. Luggage, handbags, photo and video cameras must always be held by hand.
Tips (approximately 10% of the cost) in bars, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels are already included in the bill.
Peru is a country in South America. It borders Ecuador to the northwest, Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, and Bolivia and Chile to the southeast. In the west it is washed by the Pacific Ocean. Area - 1,285,220 sq. km. The total length of the border is 5536 km (the length of the borders with Bolivia is 900 km, with Brazil - 1560 km, with Chile - 160 km, with Colombia - 1496 km, with Ecuador - 1420 km). Coastline length: 2414 km.
Administrative-territorial division of Peru: 25 departments. The capital of Peru is Lima. The head of state is the president. The legislative body of Peru is the Democratic Constituent Congress.
According to natural conditions, Peru is divided into three zones: coastal (Costa) - 12% of the territory, mountainous (Sierra) - 27%, wooded (Selva) - 61% of the territory. They are divided into regions: the northern part of the Costa is formed by the Sechura desert; the central and southern parts stretch in a narrow arid ribbon (up to 80 km) between the Coastal Cordillera and the ocean; the mountainous country begins with the Condor Cordillera.
Relief and minerals
A mountainous republic on the Pacific coast of South America. The narrow coastal lowlands have a dry climate. From north to south, 3 Andes mountain ranges stretch across the country - an area prone to earthquakes. In the west of Peru, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, there is a narrow strip of desert coastal plains (Costa). To the east - the mountain belt of the Andes (Sierra). To the east is Amazonian lowland. (Selva), passing in the south into the foothill plain (Montagna).
Western Cordillera (altitude over 6 thousand m) is replete with volcanoes: active - Soliman (6117 m), Misti (5821 m), etc.; extinct - Huaskaran (6768 m), Koropuna (6425 m), Ausangate (6384 m), etc.
Intermountain plateaus and plateaus with a height of 3000-4000 m in the south form a large semi-desert plateau - Punu. Here, in the south, the Altiplano intermountain depression stands out with the high-altitude lake Titicaca (Peru owns only the western part of the lake). In the northern part of the Costa there are many short rivers flowing into the ocean (Pyura, Santa, Tumbes, Chira). In Pune, the inland flow basin of Lake Titika-ka stands out. Most of the Sierra and Selva rivers are part of the Amazon river system, its main source is the Maran-on River, along with its tributaries Hualyagoy and Ucayali.
Three large natural areas are distinguished within the country from west to east: 1) Costa - the coastal desert, 2) Sierra - the Andes highlands and 3) Selva - the eastern slopes of the Andes and the adjacent plains of the Amazon basin.
The coastal desert - Costa, stretching in a narrow indented strip along the entire Peruvian coast (for 2270 km), is the northern continuation of the Chilean Atacama Desert. In the north, between the cities of Piura and Chiclayo, the desert occupies a wide lowland, the surface of which is occupied mainly by mobile sand dunes. Further south, in the section from Chiclayo to Pisco, the steep slopes of the Andes rise to the ocean itself. Near Pisco, several merged alluvial fans form a narrow lowland of irregular shape, in some places partitioned off by mountain spurs. Even further south, near the coast, a low mountain range rises, reaching about 900 m above sea level. To the east of it stretches a deeply dissected rocky surface, gradually rising to the foot of the Andes. Most of the Costa is so arid that of the 52 rivers flowing westward from the slopes of the Andes, only 10 carry their waters to the ocean. The coast is the economically most important region of Peru. The region's 40 oases produce most of the most important agricultural crops, including those for export. On the coast there are also a number of major cities - Lima, Callao, Chiclayo and Trujillo.
Andean highlands - Sierra. The Peruvian Andes, reaching 320 km wide, occupy more than a third of the country's area; their peaks reach a height of 5500 m above sea level. Numerous mountain ranges stretch approximately from northwest to southeast. Ten peaks rise above 6100 m, and the highest of them - Huascaran - reaches 6768 m. In the southern part there are volcanoes, the most famous of them is the Misti cone towering over the city of Arequipa (5822 m). The eastern slopes of the Andes, on which heavy rains fall, are dissected by deeply incised river valleys and form a chaotic heap of sharp ridges, alternating with canyons up to 3000 m deep; several large tributaries of the Amazon River originate here. This region of sharply and deeply dissected relief presents the greatest difficulty in crossing the Andes. Indians live here, using narrow strips of fertile land for crops on the bottoms of river valleys and in the lower parts of the slopes. On the border of Peru and Bolivia, at around 3812 m above sea level, there is an alpine lake Titicaca; this is the largest of the alpine lakes with an area of 8446 sq. km. km, 59% of its water area is located in Peru.
The soils of the Costa and the western slopes of the Andes are infertile. In the mountainous region in the north and east, mountain-steppe soils predominate, in the southeast - characteristic of semi-deserts.
Selva includes the lower part of the eastern slopes of the Andes and the flat plains of the Amazon basin adjacent to them. This area occupies more than half of the total area of the country. The plain is covered with dense and tall tropical rain forests, and the only means of communication here are the large rivers - Ucayali, the upper reaches of the Amazon, which bears the name Marañon here, and Napo. The main economic center of the region is Iquitos, located on the river. Amazon; this is the highest point that river steamers with a draft of more than 4 m can reach.
Peru has always stood out for its wealth of minerals, especially gold, silver, copper mines, reserves of iron ore, mercury, tungsten, and manganese. There are salt mines, coal deposits. Guano reserves are depleted.
Climate of Peru
The average temperature on the coast of Peru ranges from + 14°C to + 27°C, with precipitation up to 3000 mm per year, while in the highlands or in the sierra it is usually cool, sunny and dry for most of the year. The average temperature here varies from + 9°С to + 18°С. From December to May in the Sierra, the rainy season, precipitation falls from 700 to 1000 mm per year. The jungle is hot and humid, +25-28°C. Lima suffers from garua, a dense, damp fog that envelops the entire city even in winter.
Coastal desert. It is very dry and cool on the ocean coast due to the cold Peruvian Current (Humboldt Current) passing nearby. Sea breezes keep the average temperature 6°C below the latitudinal norm. In Lima, it ranges from 16 to 23 ° C. The statistical annual rainfall here is 50 mm, but in some years it does not rain at all. In winter (from June to October) the sky is constantly covered with clouds, coastal fogs are frequent. At this time of the year, the foothills of the Andes are shrouded in a damp haze, locally called "garua". Garua stimulates the growth of low grasses and forb ephemerals, which together make up a community called "loma" and used as pasture.
Highlands of the Andes. Climatic conditions and the vegetation cover of the mountains vary depending on the absolute height. Average temperatures drop by about 1.7°C every 450 m rise. Perpetual snow and glaciers cover the peaks above 5000 m a.s.l., and agriculture is possible up to 4400 m a.s.l. Average temperatures in Cusco (3380 m above sea level) fluctuate over the years from 8 to 11 ° C, frosts often occur at night. On the open eastern slopes, the annual rainfall exceeds 2500 mm, in closed basins it is much less, amounting, for example, in Cuzco, 810 mm.
The amount of precipitation decreases rapidly towards the south, which greatly affects the nature of the vegetation. In the north and east of the country, the middle part of the Andean slopes is covered with dense subtropical mountain forest, which gradually gives way with height to a forest of a more temperate climatic type, called ceja de la montaña (“eyebrow of the mountain”), or simply “seja”. Among its species, the cinchona tree, the source of quinine, is of the greatest value. In the south, the alpine vegetation is formed mainly by drought-resistant feather grass, short grasses and the resinous shrub lepidophyllum (this community is called "tola"). The bottom and lower parts of the slopes of dry closed valleys are occupied by cacti, thorny legumes and deciduous broad-leaved trees, while the upper part of the slopes is covered by "sekha".
Selva. In the zone of humid tropical forests, the temperature is high all year round, and heavy rains fall. In Iquitos, the average temperature of the coldest month is 23°C and the hottest is only 26°C, with an annual rainfall of 2615 mm. The natural vegetation is represented by high-stemmed tropical rainforest, under the canopy of which a dense shadow practically does not allow the ground layer to develop. Of the thousands of tree species, acajou (mahogany) and cedrela are of the greatest economic importance. Grasses grow on poorly drained areas, while stiff grasses and low shrubs grow on loose sandy soils and rocky slopes.
Fauna of Peru
The fauna of Costa on land is scarce. Of the representatives of the animal world, the jaguar, puma, llama, monkeys, anteater, sloth, tapir, chinchilla, armadillo, crocodile, a large number of birds, snakes, lizards and insects live on the territory of Peru. The world of sea birds is abundant on the islands and the water kingdom is rich (mollusks , shrimp, different types of fish, especially anchovies). In the Sierra, there are representatives of the genus of llamas - guanaco and vicuña, many birds. Lake Titicaca abounds in fish (especially trout). Peccaries, tapirs, anteaters, many monkeys, especially many birds (toucans, parrots, hummingbirds), reptiles and insects are found in the Selva.
The Selva has a tropical fauna that includes many species of birds, reptiles and mammals, while the Andes are dominated by llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. Among the rodents of the highlands there are viscacha and chinchilla. In the cold waters surrounding the coastal desert, abundant plankton provide food for many species of game fish, including tuna, bonito, swordfish, mackerel, croaker and stone bass. Sea fish feed on millions of local birds, including pelicans, cormorants and boobies. They nest on rocky islands, and their faeces, which are well preserved in an arid climate, are used as fertilizer - the so-called. guano. The fragile ecological balance of coastal communities is periodically disturbed by the intrusion of warm equatorial waters pushing back the Peruvian current. This phenomenon is called El Niño. It causes the migration of plankton and fish, as a result of which many birds die of starvation. At the same time, huge clouds form over the ocean, pouring rain over the desert.
Population of Peru
Ethnicity and language. About a hundred Indian tribes live in the rainforests of eastern Peru. These tribes, practically isolated from the rest of the population, speak local dialects and earn their living by hunting, fishing and farming. Another indigenous group includes the Quechua and Aymara Indians. Many of them moved to the capital of the country - Lima and other cities on the coast, especially after a guerrilla war broke out in the mountains in 1980, but most continue to live in the Andes, being engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. The rest of the population is made up of Creoles - white descendants of Europeans, mostly Spaniards, who practically dominated the country until the 1970s; mestizos - descendants of mixed marriages of Europeans and Indians, who make up the bulk of the middle class, as well as a certain number of blacks and immigrants from Asia.
According to a 2003 estimate, the population of Peru was 28.40 million. By 2003, the population increased by an average of 1.61% annually. It is expected that by 2005 the population will be approximately 28,659 thousand people. The birth rate is estimated at 22.81 per 1,000 inhabitants and the death rate at 5.69 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. The average life expectancy in Peru is 68.45 for men and 73.43 for women. Once a predominantly rural country, it quickly urbanized, so that in 1997 more than 70% of its inhabitants lived in cities. Approximately 60% of the population is concentrated in the coastal zone, which makes up only 11% of the territory of Peru; it is here that the main centers of the political and economic life of the country are located. About 30% of Peruvians live in the mountains, 10% in the Amazonian Selva.
Peruvian cities are expanding rapidly as settlers and refugees from the highlands settle on the outskirts of Lima and other centers. There they build shelters, build houses and form the so-called "young cities". The largest city of Peru - Lima, the capital of the country and its administrative, financial and cultural center, has a population (according to a 1997 estimate) of 5,659 thousand people. Large cities are also Arequipa (634 thousand people) in the south of the country; Trujillo (532 thousand), Callao (515 thousand), Chiclayo (426 thousand), Piura (324 thousand) and Chimbote (296 thousand) in the northern and central part of the coast; Cusco (275 thousand) in the south of the Andes mountain region; and Iquitos (269,000) in the upper Amazon (all of the above estimates of the population of cities, with the exception of Lima, are given for 1993).
About 90% of the population formally belong to the Roman Catholic Church, although the majority attend only occasional services or do not perform rituals at all and are more committed to traditional folk beliefs. Catholic clergy receive a small annual allowance from the state. In 1979, a concordat was signed between the Vatican and the Peruvian government, which secured the separation of church and state and proclaimed freedom of religion. Recently, the number of Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals has increased, but they make up no more than 6% of the population.
Geographical position
Peru is a country located in the western part of South America. Official name - Republic of Peru. In the north it borders with Ecuador and Colombia, in the east - with Brazil and Bolivia, in the south - with Chile.
The total area of the country is 1.28 million square meters. km. Peru is one of the largest countries in Latin America.
The capital is the city of Lima.
State is divided into three regions: Coast (Costa) on the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean, Mountains (Sierra) - in the middle of the Andes and Selva (Selva) - in the western part of the Amazon.
In the west, the territory of the country is washed by the waters of the ocean.
The country's largest river is the Amazon, the largest lakes are Titicaca and Junin. Lake Titicaca is the largest alpine navigable body of water on the planet. Its area is 8287 sq. km.
Cape Parinas is considered the westernmost point of the country.
A complex mountain system stretches across the entire territory of the countries from north to south, which consists of a chain of ridges of the Peruvian Andes and the Cordillera.
The highest point of the country is the dormant volcano Huascaran, whose height is 6768 meters.
Peru has a fairly diverse climate, ranging from tropical in the east to tropical mountainous in the west. This is due to the complex topography of the surface of the country.
In the coastal strip, the average annual temperature ranges from +16 to 25 C. In the Andes - from -5 to +16°C. The Selva has a humid, tropical climate with high rainfall. The average annual temperature here is +26-28°C. The rainy season lasts from November to March.
Precipitation falls annually from 700 to 3000 mm. In the coastal strip (Kosta), instead of rain, quite often the smallest drizzle falls, which is called "garya".
The ridges of the Andes create a barrier to oceanic air masses, this provides a contrast between the Pacific coast and the forested slopes.
The best time to visit the mountainous regions and the Selva is the period from June to August, the coast - from December to March.
The tops of the mountains are covered with snow and glaciers all year round. Precipitation here annually falls no more than 700 mm. The average annual temperature at an altitude of 4500 m is only +2°C.Visas, entry rules, customs rules
To enter the country, citizens of Russia need to apply for a visa. This can be done at the consular section of the Embassy of Peru, located in Moscow. A visa is issued in a few working days, the consular fee is $12.
When departing from the country, you must pay an airport tax of $25, on domestic flights - $4.
The visa can be extended at the Office of the General Directorate of the Immigration Service in Lima. You can do this three times. In this case, a fee of $20 is paid. Children under 16 fit into the visa of the parents (mother).
There are no restrictions on the import and export of local currency. Foreign currency can be imported into the country without restrictions, only an amount not exceeding the amount imported can be exported. In case of a reverse exchange, it is necessary to provide receipts for the exchange of foreign currency into salt.
Persons over the age of 18 may bring a limited amount of tobacco products, alcohol, perfumes and foodstuffs into Peru duty-free.
Gifts and personal items in undamaged original packaging can be imported in quantities up to $300. When importing sausages, salami, ham or cheese, a certificate of validity from the manufacturer is required.
Uncanned food, weapons and drugs cannot be brought into Peru. Without special permission, it is impossible to import and export objects and things that have artistic, historical or archaeological value.
To import professional photo, film or video equipment, you need to obtain a special permit. You can export wool and leather products, jewelry, souvenirs. In this case, it is necessary to present a receipt ("boleta") from the store where these items were purchased.
When exporting fur items, a receipt and an export stamp are required.
Population, political condition
The population of the country is about 27.5 million people. Of these, 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizos, 15% are Europeans and about 3% are Asians.
The largest cities in Peru are: Lima (5,760,000 people), Callao (638,000 people), Arequipa (620,000 people), Trujillo (509,000 people), Chiclayo (410,000 people) and Cusco (258,000 people).
Politically, Peru is a presidential republic. The head of state and government is the president, who is elected for a term of 5 years.
Legislative power is concentrated in the hands of a unicameral congress, consisting of 120 congressmen who are elected for 5 years.
Executive power is vested in the president and the prime ministers, who are appointed by the president. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court and local judiciary.
Administratively, the territory of the country is divided into 24 departments and 1 constitutional province of Callao. Administrative units have a fairly large independence.
The official languages of Peru are Spanish and Quechua. Aymara and other languages of Indian groups are also common. In the interior, not everyone speaks Spanish.
In the tourism industry, English is mostly understood.
What to watch
Peru is considered to be one of the most interesting countries in the world. A lot of interesting cultural monuments of the pre-European period have been preserved here. And the nature of this country is simply amazing with its magnificence.
Lima is the capital of Peru. It was founded in 1535 and lies on the Pacific coast. During the Conquest period, this city became the political and military capital of the Spanish possessions in South America. Currently, Lima is a large city with a not very favorable climate. It is a crowded and noisy city.
It is very hot and dry here, in addition, a cloud of smog constantly hangs over the city.
It is worth visiting the historical center of the capital, which was built according to a clear scheme and is under the protection of UNESCO. There are many colorful Spanish colonial mansions here.
On the central square of Plaza de Armas, you can see a stone fountain created in the 17th century. It is considered the oldest building in the city. The Santo Domingo Cathedral, built in 1540, houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro.
Of interest to tourists are also the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and two temples of the pre-Inca period in San Isidro. The catacombs of the colonial period have been preserved in the church of San Francisco. On the Plaza de San Martin stands a statue of San Martin, who became famous for declaring the independence of Peru.
Of the museums, it is worth highlighting the Museum of the Inquisition, the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, the Museum of Art, the Museum of the Nation and the unique Museum of Gold.
Theaters and restaurants are concentrated in the Miraflores area. Nightlife flourishes in the bohemian Barranco quarter.
"Street of Lovers" Puente de los Suspiros ("Bridge of Sighs") leads to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent panorama of the Pacific Ocean.
Tourists can also visit a large number of huge "Indian markets", the best of which are: Mercado Indio, Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and Kennedy Park.
The surroundings of the capital are more picturesque than the city itself. 80 km from Lima, at an altitude of about 3900 m, is the plateau of Marcahuasi. Here you can see many megalithic sculptures and rock paintings. Scientists are still arguing about their origin.
Pachacamac is located 29 km south of the capital. It is a place of worship for the Divine Creator of the Earth, a very important religious center of the pre-Inca period.
In the neighboring Rimak Valley, there are the mysterious buildings of Puruchuko and Cajamarquilla.
Cusco (Khosho - "center of the earth") is one of the most ancient and unusual cities in the world. It was the capital of the Inca Empire during its heyday. According to the legends, it was founded by the ancestors of Manco Capac and Mama Occlio around 1200 AD. e.
The city is located at an altitude of about 3500 m, but is quite crowded. Its entire territory is under the protection of UNESCO.
The whole city of the Incas was carved into the mountains many centuries ago. The city was built in the form of a silhouette of a sacred cougar. During the construction, huge boulders were used, but they were not held together with mortar. At the same time, there are practically no gaps between the stones. The streets are striking in their directness, the whole city is permeated with a unique system of stone watercourses.
The Plaza de Armas was built by the Spaniards on the site of the ancient cult center of Huacalpa. The main attractions of this city include: the ruins of the granite Palace of the Supreme Inca, two Inca statues of Inca Pachacute on the mountain, the Palace of Justice, the ruins of the Inca Coricancha, located east of the city center, the Church of El Triunfo, the Church of Santo Domingo.
La Compagna Cathedral is interesting for its huge 300-year-old Maria Angola bell, which is the largest bell in South America. Of the museums, one can single out: the Museum of the Institute of Archeology of the National University, the Museum of the Viceroyalty and the Museum of Religious Art.
To the north-west of the city center is the monumental complex of structures Sacsayhuaman ("Gray Stone-Colored Bird of Prey"). This military and religious center of the Inca empire lies on the top of a mountain, at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level. It is made up of huge stone blocks. The center of the structure is the so-called "throne of the Inca". It is surrounded by 21 bastions with powerful towers.
Nearby lie the ruins of the fortresses of Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machai.
Pisac is located 30 km from Cusco, which is the stronghold of the Incas on the top of the mountain range.
The main attractions of this area are: the ruins of the ancient Ollantaytambo, the pyramid city of Ollantaytambo, the Kosnipata Valley ("Smoke Valley"), the secluded Sinakara Valley.
Tumbes has a picturesque Cathedral and the Aguas Verdes nature reserve. Chinchero ("Rainbow Village") is located 28 km northwest of Cusco. During the Inca era, it was a famous resort. Paucartambo and Tres Cruces also deserve attention here.
The "Inca Trail" stretches along the "Sacred Valley" past the most mysterious structures of ancient civilizations. The valleys of Huantanay and Vilkanota (Urubamba) are considered the center of the spiritual culture of the Incas.
The archaeological complex of Karal dates back to 2600-2100. BC e. It lies 200 km north of Lima and is considered the most ancient city on the continent.
Chokepujio is located 35 km from Cusco, which is the birthplace of the mysterious Lurce culture. Corihuayracina, Vilcabamba Vitcos and Espiritu Pampas are the last pockets of resistance to the Spanish invasion.
It is worth visiting the Manu National Park, whose area is 1.5 million hectares.
The famous Machu Picchu ("old mountain") is the most famous and most mysterious monument of Inca culture on the continent.
It is located 112 km northwest of Cusco. Historians and scientists are still arguing about the purpose of this ancient sacred city of the Incas. Its total area is about 33 thousand hectares. The city is spread out on a flat mountain plateau, which is located at an altitude of 2700 m above sea level in the Urubamba Valley.
Excavations carried out here revealed the famous Intihuatana Gate of the Sun and an observatory. You can see temples and palaces carved into the rock or built from carefully fitted giant boulders. The Palace of the Moon is located at the foot of Mount Huayna Picchu ("young mountain"). Of great interest are the famous Temple of the Three Windows and the "Sacred Square", numerous burials and objects of the pre-Inca period. Here you can also see stairs, gutters, defensive walls, pools, terraces and buildings.
The famous Nazca desert is one of the main attractions of the country. It is located in the department of Ica in southern Peru, between the Ingenio and Nazca rivers. Its total area is about 500 sq. km, the desert has the shape of an almost regular square. There are very harsh climatic conditions. This place attracts tourists and researchers, because. the entire territory of the desert is covered with mysterious drawings of huge sizes - from 40 m to 8 km. These drawings are visible only from the air, they are carved in stone and made in one continuous line.
Tentatively, these drawings refer to 350-700 BC. e., but their purpose is still unknown. Here you can see geometric figures, as well as stylized images of animals, birds and people in strange attire. It should be noted that many of the depicted objects are not even found in the Nazca region.
Another attraction of this area is the Chauchilla necropolis, which belongs to the late period of the Nazca culture (around the 1st century AD).
Alpine lake Titicaca is another unique monument of the country. Its name translates as "stone cougar". It is located on the border of Bolivia and Peru and is the world's largest alpine navigable body of water. Its area is 8287 sq. km.
This lake, by its nature, is an ancient sea bay, which was raised by tectonic forces to a height of 3810 m. Therefore, it has an oceanic ichthyofauna - a large number of different species of marine invertebrates and fish, there are even sharks in the lake.
Reeds grow along the shores of the lake, from which local residents belonging to the Quechua and Aymara tribes build their dwellings, buildings for various purposes, as well as real floating islands "uros". These islands were so named after the extinct tribe of Indians "Uro". On them, people's lives have not changed much over the past five hundred years. The Incas considered the lake itself and its islands, of which there are more than 30, to be sacred.
The lake itself attracts with its fantastic panorama. Of great interest to tourists are also the burial towers ("chulpas") of Silustani, in which the burial places of local leaders of the Inca era are located. The total burial area is 4 thousand square meters. m.
On the "island of knitting men" Taquile is a good Textile Museum. Worth a visit is Amantani Island. on which is the temple of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Sky).
In the highland village of Chuquito, you can see the Church of Santo Domingo. And at the bottom of the lake, scuba divers found a city that belongs to the era of Tiahuanaco culture (IX-X centuries AD). It very much resembles the legendary city of Cuzco - the ancestral home of the Incas.
The city of Puno, which is the capital of the region, was founded in 1668. It lies at an altitude of 3800 m on the southwestern shore of the lake. It is the main port of the lake, and used to be one of the richest cities on the continent, because. next to it are silver mines. The colonial cities of Juli and Pomata were built by the Spaniards in the 16th-17th centuries.
The ancient port city of Tiahuanaco is located 20 km south of the coast. It is located at an altitude of 3625 m above sea level. Its total area is about 450 thousand square meters. m. According to archeology, the heyday of this city dates back to the 5th century. BC e. But mathematical and astronomical calculations suggest that Tiahuanaco was created around the 15th millennium BC. e.
Tiwanaku was a prosperous port and was located right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The Akapana pyramid ("artificial mountain") has been preserved here, the height of which is 15 meters, and the length of the side of the base is 230 m).
You can see the "standing stone" Kalasasaya with the famous Gate of the Sun, a small underground temple and giant statues, whose height is up to 7.5 m.
The ruins of other impressive structures, which are also made of huge stone blocks, have also been preserved.
Arequipa, whose name can be translated as "let's stop here", is the second largest city in Peru and an important economic center. It is located in the very south of the country at an altitude of 2335 m above sea level. It is known that this city appeared on the site of an estate that belonged to the conquistador Francisco de Carvajal. It is located in a basin between huge volcanoes, one of which is active.
Arequipa is considered to be the most beautiful city in Peru. It is built up with buildings made in the Spanish colonial style of the late 18th century. Here is the convent of the Convento de Santa Catalina. dating back to 1580 and known throughout the world.
It is also worth seeing the Jesuit Church of La Campania, the Cathedral, the central square of Plaza de Armas. Noteworthy is the former mint of the Casa de la Moneda, built in the 18th century, and the Casa Moral mansion.
180 km from Arequipa, you can visit the Colca Canyon, which is a unique natural site. This canyon is considered the deepest in the world. Its total depth is 3400 m.
Tourists have the opportunity to watch soaring condors from the observation deck of the Cruz del Condor. Other attractions of this region of the country include the Cotahuasi Canyon, the "Valley of Volcanoes", the Salinas y Aguiade Blanca National Park, the Pata Pamba Pass (4825 m). You can see the ancient Inca burials in the rock caves above Antahuilki or swim in the geothermal springs located near the village of Chivay.
Costa is the Pacific coast of Peru. There are few sea resorts here, but a large number of tourists are attracted here by numerous historical and cultural sites.
On the one hand, this narrow strip of land is framed by the Andes, and on the other hand, it is washed by the waters of the ocean. The main attractions of Costa are the Paracas National Marine Reserve, the ancient clay city of Chan Chan, the Huascaran National Park and cultural monuments that date back to the 10th-5th centuries. BC Many tourists visit the seaside resort of Picasmayo, which is considered the best place for windsurfing in Peru, as well as the resort town of Paracas. There are also resort towns to the south and north of Lima.
Quite interesting are the sand dunes of Huacachina, the oases around the "capital of winemakers" Ica and the valley of Huylas. The mysterious pre-Inca culture cities of Sipan and Tukume are also worth seeing.
Trujillo is the capital of Costa. It was founded in 1535 and represented the center of the Spanish expansion to the mainland. And today this city attracts tourists with the former charm of the colonial era. Here you can see a large number of beautiful mansions built in the Spanish style.
Noteworthy is the central square of the city - Plaza de Armas. It is also worth visiting the Bishop's Palace, the Town Hall, numerous monasteries and the cathedral. The central club is located in the Palacio Iturrega mansion. You can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Cassinella Museum, as well as an art gallery.
Not far from the city are the ruins of the capital of the ancient Chimu empire - Chan Chan. This colossal city was built entirely of clay and stones. Previously, it was surrounded by a wall with seven bastions. Chan Chan flourished around the 12th century. Then the city was the largest building of its era. It had important political and cultural significance. The entire territory of the city was built up with palaces, rich houses and places of worship.
Of great interest to tourists are: the "Temple of the Rainbow" Templo del Arco Iris, the temple-fortress of Tshudi, the "Emerald Temple" of Huaca Esmeralda. The pyramids of Huaca del Sol and Huaca del Luna ("Sun and Moon") date back to the 6th century. n. e.
Not far from here lies the archaeological complex of El Brujo (3rd millennium BC) with the famous Cao pyramid. You can also see the remains of extensive irrigation canals and temples from the pre-Inca period.
In the vicinity of the city of Chiclayo, which is located 200 km north of Trujillo, is the "Tomb of Lord Sipan".
50 km south of Chimbote is the region of the most ancient Indian structures in Sechin, which date back to the 16th century. BC e. Of interest are the ruins of Gran Pachatén, the monuments of the Inca period around Cajamarca and Chachapoyas. Many tourists visit the seaside resorts of Chicama and La Pimentel and the ecological reserve at Batan Grande.
The eastern part of the country is called the Selva, which accounts for 60% of the entire territory of Peru. Moist evergreen forests predominate here. Locals call this area "Green Hell". It is a unique ecosystem. This is where the Amazon River (Solimoes) begins. Unique Indian tribes live in this area. It is home to a large number of endemic plant and animal species. In the jungle you can find many monuments of Indian cultures that have not yet been fully explored.
The largest city in the Selva is Iquitos. Sights such as the Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve, the picturesque Lake Yarinacocha and the Amazonian forests deserve attention.
The first settlements on the territory of the country date back to the 10th millennium BC. e. People settled in the river valleys of the coast. The very first settlement was Norte Chico, which was located on the north-central coast of Peru. It dates from between 3000 and 1800. BC e.
Peru was the center of the Inca Empire, which arose around 1100. By 1500, this empire included not only the territory of modern Peru, but also territories from Quito in Ecuador to the Mole River in Chile.
The Incas were known for their large number of fine gold pieces. For this reason, the Spanish conquerors arrived in their country.
A detachment of Spaniards, led by Francisco Pizarro from Panama, captured the Inca Empire in 1532. Lima was founded in 1535. In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was created. Blasco Nunez Vela, who arrived from Spain, became the first Viceroy. This kingdom included all of Spanish South America, except for Panama and Venezuela.
The Spaniards ruled the country for almost 300 years. Peru's independence was proclaimed on July 28, 1821.
But the Spaniards came back to power in June 1823. In 1824, the troops of Sucre, who was an associate of Bolivar, invaded Peru from the north. They finally defeated the Spanish colonizers.
Bolivar decided to divide Peru into two countries - Peru and Bolivia, named after him. Bolivar began to rule in Peru, and gave Bolivia under the rule of Sucre.
Since 1962, Peru has been ruled by various military regimes that came to power through coups. From the late 1980s, free elections on a multi-party basis began to be held in the country, but this did not lead to civilian rule.
Peru is a member of the UN and all the specialized agencies of this organization.
International trade
Peru's main export commodities include gold, zinc, copper, crude oil and petroleum products. The country also exports coffee, potatoes, asparagus, processed fish and textiles.
The main export partners are such countries as America (20%), China (15.2%), Canada (8.3%), Japan (7%), Chile (5.8%) and Brazil (4.2%). %).
The country imports oil products, plastics, machinery and equipment, as well as cars and paper.
The main import partners are the following countries: USA (23.4%), China (10.5%), Brazil (8.7%), Ecuador (6.4%), Chile (5%) and Argentina (5% ).
The shops
Peru is a fairly cheap country. The most expensive places in the country are Lima and Cusco. Shopping for foreigners is more expensive than for locals.
Prices can vary significantly depending on the season. Shops in the country are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00-16.00 to 20.00 hours. In the capital, some supermarkets are open without lunch until 21.00-22.00. There are also convenience stores. Shops in the provinces have individual opening hours.
From Peru, as souvenirs and gifts, tourists usually bring pottery, knitted woolen products, silver jewelry, furs, masks, and wood products with artistic carvings.
Demography
The annual population growth is 1.2% (fertility - 2.3 births per woman).
The average life expectancy for men is 69 years, for women - 73 years.
The share of the urban population is quite high and amounts to 71%.
Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is 0.5%.
Literacy - 96% of men and 89% of women.
Industry
Peru has a developed mining industry, while the manufacturing industry is under development.
Industry provides 25% of GDP, it employs about 24% of the working population of the country.
The most developed industries are the smelting of steel and other metals; mining and processing of mineral resources, as well as oil and gas; food industry, fish processing, production of clothing and textiles.
Flora and fauna
The flora of Peru differs depending on the region. Plants found in the Montaca jungle include rubber trees, mahogany, vanilla tree, sarsaparilla, and a large variety of exotic tropical flowers.
In the Sierra, the vegetation is less diverse, in this arid climate only cacti and other drought- or frost-resistant plants can survive.
In the coastal strip, mostly desert plants are found.
The fauna of the country is not very diverse. On the coastal plain, the most common animals are tarantulas, lizards, and scorpions.
Coastal waters are rich in such inhabitants as haddock, sole, sardines, shrimp, smelt and other marine animals.
The Sierra is home to chinchilla, llama, alpaca and vicuña. Birds include duck, giant condor, goose, partridge, flycatcher and finches. Common in Montacá are: cougar, jaguar, armadillo, tapir, alligator, anteater, peccary, as well as many types of monkeys and some types of snakes.
The existence of some animals is currently under threat. Chinchillas with valuable fur were almost completely exterminated. Vicuña numbers have also declined.
To protect the fauna, the Pampa de Galeras National Park was created in 1966.
Banks and money
Peruvian banknotes / Currency converter
The monetary unit of the country is the New Sol (international designation - PEN, within the country - S /), which is nominally equal to 100 centimes. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 sols, as well as coins of 1, 2 and 5 sols, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.
American dollars are also accepted everywhere. The exception is banknotes in $100 series CB issued in 2001. Some places do not accept crumpled banknotes.
Banks of the country are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 17.00. On Saturdays they are open from 09.00 to 13.00, but in summer the opening hours sometimes change. Some banks in the provinces have their own opening hours.
Tourists can exchange currency at numerous exchange offices, as well as at banks, shops and hotels. US dollars are preferred. Other currency can be exchanged only in major metropolitan banks.
Damaged banknotes may not be accepted for exchange. It is recommended to keep the foreign currency exchange receipt before leaving the country. This will allow you to make a reverse exchange of unspent money.
At ATMs in Peru, you can get cash in both salts and dollars. Credit cards and travelers checks can only be used in the capital and tourist areas. In the provinces, this is almost impossible.
When exchanging currency, it is best to take more small bills. Sometimes it is simply impossible to pay with large bills due to the lack of change.
You should not change money on the street, because easy to run into scammers or robbers.
