Learn About Peru – Location, Climate, History and More

 

Let us introduce you to a country of western South America that is a mix of ancient civilizations and dramatic archeology residing among some of the most extraordinary landscapes.

Yes, we are talking about Peru!

About the key facts, Peru has an area of 496,226 sq. miles with 31,774,225 people (UN estimate 2016). Peru is a Republic with Lima as its capital city.

By the end of the article, you will surely get a glimpse into the country's proud history, legendary culture and natural aspects of the region that combine to make it a must-visit tourist attraction.

Climate

The climate of Peru varies across the regions. The coastal areas from Tacna to Piura have a warm temperate climate with high humidity and thick mist in winter.

Highlands in Peru have two seasons; summer and winter. Summer days are sunny, while summer nights are cold. There is little rain in summer and frequent and heavy rain in winter. Winter days have a temperature of around 24°C, which can fall to -3°C at night.

Like highlands, the jungle of Peru has two seasons; the rainy season and the relatively dry season. Generally, humidity remains very high all year.

History

Peru has a mythical ancient history with several distinct Peruvian cultures. The best-known ancient civilizations to ever exist in Peru are Chavin and Sechin, who have left behind magnificent stone carvings of religious iconography.

Then came Paracas and the Saliner, followed by mysterious Nazca, who were the architects of incredible Nazca lines.

As these civilizations begin to disappear, the mighty Inca rose in Peru. The Incas declined when the cities were destroyed.

Peru stayed as a Spanish colony for a few centuries until it gained its independence in 1821.

Wildlife

Talk about biodiversity, and Peru has one of the greatest in the world. This is mainly due to the presence of Peru's dramatic geographical features such as the coast, Andes, and Amazon River.

The most stunning among the 53 protected areas in Peru is the Manu, the most biologically diverse area in the Peruvian Amazon.

You can only access it by air or river but being home to 13 species of monkeys, 1000 species of birds, 200 different mammals, and a beautiful array of butterflies, it is the place well worth a visit.

Moreover, Peru's coast is frequented by dolphin pods, sharks, and sperm whales.

Cuisine

Peru has a world-famous cuisine with a sophisticated genre that combines traditional Peruvian staples, Spanish, Basque and Asian food. You will find incredible ceviches and other fish dishes combined with milk, chilli pepper, or potatoes along the coast.

If you want to go adventurous, taste some cuy or roast guinea pig. Or, in the Andes, you might want to try alpaca meat served with Yucca that is a tasty root vegetable common to the area.

If you are looking forward to experiencing some cutting-edge culinary advances in fusion food, traditional dishes, and international foods, take advantage of Lima!

You have gone through some of the prominent features of Peru that make it distinct from most other countries on the planet. Visit Peru to experience a beautiful mix of Hispanic and native traditions and get exposure to the country's art, both modern and ancient.