ABOUT PERU
Peru is a mountainous country with steep canyons, a narrow coastal plain and Amazon rainforest. There are many rivers and a number of lakes. Lake Titicaca, in the Central Andes, is the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest lake in South America.
Peru has a number of protected areas. These include National Parks (Bahuaja-Sonene and Cerros de Amotape), National Sanctuaries (Ampay and Huayllay) and National Reserves such as Junin National Reserve, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and Titicaca National Reserve.
World Heritage sites are Huascaran National Park, Manu National Park, Rio Abiseo National Park and the historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Peru also holds sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares in the Antarctic. Peru is divided into 24 departments, plus the Constitutional Province of Callao. Lima is the capital of Peru.
POPULATION
- 25.662.000 inhabitants.
- Urban: 72,3 %
- Rural: 27,7 %
Peru is a nation of mixed ethnic origins. Throughout its history, Peru has been the meeting ground for different nations and cultures. The indigenous population was joined 500 years ago by the Spaniards.
The Peruvians, as a result of this encounter, and later enriched by the migration of African blacks, Asians and Europeans, have emerged as the representatives of a nation whose rich ethnic mix is one of its leading characteristics.
Language:
Official languages:
- Spanish: 80.3%
- Quechua: 16.2%
- Other indigenous languages: 3.0%
- Foreign languages: 0.2%
As part of its rich cultural tradition, Peru features many different languages. Although Spanish is commonly spoken across the country, Quechua is a major legacy of the Inca Empire and is still spoken with regional dialects in many parts of Peru.
In addition, other languages such as Aymara (in Puno) are still spoken, as well as a startling variety of dialects in the Amazon jungle, which are divided into 15 linguistic families and 38 different languages.
CURRENCY
The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (s/.), which is divided into 100 cents. The currency includes coins for 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 sol coins. There are bills in the denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles.
GOVERNMENT
Peru is a democratic republic. The president and members of Congress are elected every five years by universal suffrage. The current constitutional president of Peru is Alan Garcia Perez (2006-2011).
RELIGION
- Roman Catholic: 89%
- Evangelical: 7%
- Other religions: 4%
Peru is a naturally religious country; a diversity of beliefs and freedom of worship can be seen from the wide range of festivals and rituals that feature both Catholic fervor and the mysticism of age-old pre-Hispanic cultures.
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ABOUT CUSCO
The ancient Inca Capital is said to have been founded AD1100, and since then has developed into major commercial and tourism centre of 275,000 inhabitants, most of whom are Quechua.
Today, Colonial churches, monasteries, and convents and extensive pre-Columbian ruins are interspersed with countless hotels, bars and restaurants that cater for the hundreds of thousands of visitors ; Almost every central street has remains of inca walls, arches and doorways.
DISTANCES
- From Lima 1,165 km. ( 724 miles ) through Nazca.
- From Arequipa 625 km. ( 388 miles ).
- From Puno 389 km. ( 241 miles ).
ACCESS WAYS
By Road: Several roads lead to Cusco from important cities in the country. From Lima, the most recommended route is the South Pan American Highway to Arequipa and then on to Cusco (1,659 km or 28 hours approx.). The other route is through the highlands by Nazca and Abancay.
By Train: There is a daily train service from Arequipa to Juliaca (Puno) which takes approx. 20 hours. From Puno to Cusco, the trip is approx. 10 hours. The highest point of this trip is la Raya at 4,313 masl and is located between Cusco and Juliaca
By Air: There are daily flights to the city of Cusco from Lima and other cities of Peru (Arequipa and Puno). Velasco Astete Airport is 3 kms from the main square. Taxis and buses are available for transport.
POPULATION
The great majority of the inhabitants are of Andean origin. The spoken languages are Q´echua and Spanish in the urban areas.
WEATHER
In general terms, the weather is nice:
Cold and dry. The average temperature throughout the year is 11°C in Cusco, while in the jungle it can be over 25°C.
The rainy season lasts from November to March.
During the rainy season there are light showers at the beginning of the season but grow more intense during the months of January through March. This time is perfect to practices River Rafting Because you can find high rapids.
The dry season lasts from April to October. It is recommended to take warm clothes and rain gear during the rainy season. This Time is Excellent to do Trekking to visit Amazing different places in all Cusco.
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