Capital City: Lima (population: 9.11 million in metropolitan area)
Population: 30,054,400 (2012)
Amerindian (45%), Mestizo (37%), White (15%) African, Japanese, Chinese (3%)
Official Languages
Spanish and Quechua
Major Exports
Fish Products
Minerals (gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead)
Agricultural (coffee, asparagus)
Petroleum Products and Textiles
Peru’s main trading partners are the United States European Union and China
Geography
High and rugged Andes in the center of Peru
Western coastal plain
Eastern lowland Jungle of the Amazon basin
Climate
This can vary from tropical in the East to the dry desert of the West and it is temperate to frigid in the Andes
The country is only slightly smaller than Alaska and borders the countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador
Abundant minerals are found in the Andes and the fishing on the west coast support a lot of Peru’s Economy
History
Peru’s oldest civilization might have appeared about 6000 BC. However soon afer the Inca Empire took over and expanded their territory to the Andes. In 1532 Spain successfully invaded Cajamarca. Spain wiped out the Inca empire mostly through disease. Lima was established as a center for many political and administrative institutions. On July 28, 1821 Jose de San Martin of Argentina proclaimed the independence of Peru.
Government
A Constitutional Republic
The current president is Ollanta Humala
The political climate itself is not all that stable there has been riots on subjects like sustaining the economic growth of the country and racial affairs like colonial heritage.
Culture
Foods
Seafood is best on the coast, fish such as White Sea Bass
An Incan delicacy however; Roast Guinea Pig is served in the highlands ofPeru
Fiestas and Holidays
Any religious feast day is an excuse for live music, costumes, and vast quantities of alcohol. Fiestas can last for days or weeks. The most notable is Carnival week that usually takes place in February. The holidays are usually associated with a harvest of giving thanks to the sun or rain gods.
Music
Andean Peruvian Music is the native music of Peru. Some instruments used in Peru’s music are harps, lutes, guitars, bandurrias, and vihuelas. The national instrument is the Charango which is a type of mandolin.
Tourism
Peru is very popular for tourists being the home of the ancient Inca Empire
Arequipa-Colca Valley
“Ciudad Blanca” as it is widely know has many beautiful houses churches and monasteries. These are all constructed out of a white volcanic stone called –Sillar which is unique to the area. The city center is surrounded by a beautiful countryside. Arequipa is a ideal destination for anyone interested in colonial architecture, living culture and biodiversity.
Cuzco-Machu Picchu-Inca Trail
Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist site in Peru. Cuzco was the biggest city and capital of the Inca Empire and was taken over by Spanish conquerors. It has architecture that combines the Inca with the Spanish style. Their town conserves with pride its customs and traditions.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca lines were constructed by the farmers to know and control the meteorological agrarian cycles is one theory to the lines. However there are many theories. The lines themselves are traced in the San Jose and Socos desert plains. They are animal, geometric and trapezoidal forms; some of these can only be seen in their entireness from an airplane.
Current Events
The Trade and Tourism minister of Peru has stated that during 2012-2014 investment in four and five star hotels will be more than 960 million dollars. These investments are thought to be very important says a reporter that there hasn’t been much investment in this area in a long time. In Lima 90% of the new hotel investment is aimed for the business market.
I think this is very important for Peru. Peru has a strong tourism market with attractions like Machu Picchu and the Nazca lines. I think it is important that you keep people wanting to come back over the years.
“Top Ten Tourist Destinations of Peru.” Go2Peru. Comercializadora Electronica de Turismo S.A.C. 2000. Web. September 30, 2012 http://www.go2peru.com/top_ten.htm
Geography
History
- Peru’s oldest civilization might have appeared about 6000 BC. However soon afer the Inca Empire took over and expanded their territory to the Andes. In 1532 Spain successfully invaded Cajamarca. Spain wiped out the Inca empire mostly through disease. Lima was established as a center for many political and administrative institutions. On July 28, 1821 Jose de San Martin of Argentina proclaimed the independence of Peru.
GovernmentCulture
Tourism
Current Events
Works Cited
“A Brief History of Peru.” School Directory. SpainExchange.com. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/PE-history.htm
“Hotel Investments in Peru Seen at $960 Million During 2012-14.” Peruvian Times. PERUVIANTIMES.COM. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.peruviantimes.com/28/hotel-investments-in-peru-seen-at-960-million-during-2012-14/17036/
“Peru’s socio-economic climate.” Viva Travel Guides. N.P. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/peru/peru-overview/social-and-environmental-issues-in-peru/
“Top Ten Tourist Destinations of Peru.” Go2Peru. Comercializadora Electronica de Turismo S.A.C. 2000. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.go2peru.com/top_ten.htm
“Peru’s Exports” Trading Economics. Trading Economics. 2012. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/peru/exports
“Peru” Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Crown. May 2012. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/south-america/peru/