30 FUN & Fascinating Information About Peru
Searching for some enjoyable details about Peru? Then you definitely’ve come to the correct place, as we share some enjoyable Peru details everybody will love. We’ve fallen in love with the nation, and after our first journey to Peru, we’ve been itching to return.
After planning our subsequent journey to the South American nation, we determined to share a few of our favourite fascinating details about Peru!
Fascinating and Enjoyable Information About Peru
1.) Peru grew to become a Spanish colony in 1572.
To be exact, this South American nation was known as the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was one of many extra profitable colonies, with gold, potatoes, and different goodies there for the taking; it additionally allowed for commerce with Spain’s different colony the Philippines.
2.) The Spanish conquered the as soon as highly effective Inca Empire.
Beginning to acquire a foothold within the area within the thirteenth century, the Inca grew an enormous empire (known as Tawantinsuyu) that stretched from modern-day southwest Colombia to south-central Chile.
The unification wasn’t all bloodshed: it was a mixture of conquest and peaceable assimilation. They’d an official language (Quechua), complete legal guidelines, distinctive, almost-inaccessible cities, and an emperor – or Sapa Inca. The capital was Cusco.
3.) Lake Titicaca isn’t the best lake on this planet…
… Nevertheless it is tremendous well-known, and a type of enjoyable Peru details it’s possible you’ll not have recognized is that it’s the most important in South America. Lake Titicaca is a deep lake set excessive within the Andes at 12,507 ft above sea degree, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia. In 2000, an underwater temple was found, estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years previous. It was constructed, they suppose, by the pre-Inca Tiwanaku folks.
4.) Peru is a megadiverse nation.
That’s as a result of there’s a entire load of various areas – and a plethora of different species that inhabit and dwell in these areas. Elements of those embrace the Andes, the Pacific Coast, the tropical rainforest of the Amazon, and the Amazon River itself. It’s one of many 17 most megadiverse international locations, house to a huge portion of all species on Earth.
5.) Peru grew to become impartial in 1821
On July 28, 1821, Peru was declared impartial when independence chief José de San Martín captured Lima and made the declaration himself. Nevertheless it wasn’t as simple as that.
Starting round 1811 and ending in 1826, the Peruvian Struggle of Independence concerned battleships, marches by way of the Andes, insurgent armies, and lots of preventing. Because of Simon Bolivar, Bolivia (then a part of Peru) didn’t get independence till three years later.
6.) 4 p.c of the world’s freshwater is in Peru.
Not solely is there the Amazon, however there are quite a lot of different rivers in addition to. A great deal of them start their programs within the Andes and empty into the Pacific Ocean. Then there are mountain lakes… The consequence? Quite a lot of freshwaters.
7.) The supply of the Amazon River is definitely in Peru.
A type of little-known enjoyable details about Peru is that it’s house to the place the mighty Amazon River begins making its means throughout South America.
It doesn’t simply spring up out of nowhere; it’s truly 4 rivers that end in what turns into the Amazon. These are the Apurímac, the Marañón, and the Mantaro. In actual fact, the Amazon in Peru is known as Marañón.
8.) 13 p.c of the Amazon Rainforest is present in Peru.
The Amazon is the most important rainforest on this planet. It’s huge and historical – we’re speaking about 55 million years previous! And fairly a big a part of that rainforest (13%) is discovered inside Peru’s borders. Biodiversity ranges are excessive. That is a type of fascinating Peru details I really like sharing at any time when potential!
9.) A big portion of the Andes lies in Peru.
The Andes is the longest mountain vary on this planet. It stretches by way of seven international locations in South America. The Central Andes is positioned in Peru. Despite the fact that they’re mountains, round 32% of Peru’s inhabitants lives on this space.
10.) Peruvians converse Spanish and a complete lot of different languages.
Although many individuals in city areas will most likely solely converse Spanish, head out into the countryside (or these mountainous areas we simply talked about), and also you’ll discover a multilingual nation. Quechua – one other official language of the nation – is spoken rather a lot, as are different languages like Aymara.
As per the structure, Amazon languages and even Peruvian Signal Language are official, too!
11.) Although formally Catholic, many Amerindian traditions proceed
Fascinating details about Peru: although it was conquered and cathedrals had been constructed on high of Inca spiritual websites, and all types of different oppression, many indigenous and pagan rituals are combined with Catholicism.
Corpus Christi, Holy Week, Christmas – all of those are mixed with the Amerindian folks’s spiritual traditions. The extensively celebrated Inti Raymi celebrated the solar god on the summer time solstice.
12.) Machu Picchu was truly a personal property for the Inca emperor.
One of many loopy enjoyable Peru details that can impress your mates! It’s usually seen as a “Misplaced Metropolis,” however, a enjoyable reality about Peru’s most visited historic web site – Machu Picchu – is that it was constructed as a summer time retreat for the Inca emperor. You’ll be able to see why. Set on a 7,970ft mountain ridge within the south of Peru, this Fifteenth-century surprise takes “Cribs” to a complete new degree.
It’s thought 750 folks would have lived there, a lot of who would have been employees. When the Spanish invaded, they needed to abandon this lifetime of luxurious, and it remained unknown to the Western world till 1911.
13.) Salt farming remains to be practiced the identical means because the Incas.
What occurs is subterranean salty water is let loose right into a patchwork of swimming pools, the place it then evaporates, leaving the salt behind. It’s a outstanding sight, like a yellow model of rice paddies, in a means. Every household has its personal pool!
14. Peru modified its foreign money twice within the Eighties and ‘90s.
A monetary reality about Peru now… The South American nation had used the Sol, however as a result of loopy inflation, this was changed with the Inti in 1985. This didn’t precisely clear up issues; in 1990, the Inti then suffered excessive inflation.
They even launched the Inti Million – one among which equaled a million Inti. That didn’t work. So the Nuevo Sol got here again into being in 1991 (one Nuevo Sol = 1 billion previous Sols). At present it has one of many lowest inflation charges in South America.
15.) Historic Peruvians used to speak with knots.
Properly, not “speak” precisely, however do a complete lot of issues simply by tying knots. This implausible reality about Peru refers to an historical system of color-coded knot-tying known as quipu.
It was used for almost every little thing, from tax obligation and army group to recording census knowledge, and as a type of calendar. When the Spanish arrived, so did writing, so the quipu steadily fell out of use.
16.) Ceviche originated in Peru.
You’ll have tried ceviche, however do you know it originated from Peru? As a ceviche lover, that is one among my favourite Peru details!
A mixture of flippantly “cooked” (i.e., cured with lime or lemon) in any other case uncooked fish combined with onions, cilantro, salt, chili peppers, and capsicum, ceviche is assumed to have originated round 2,000 years in the past within the pre-Inca coastal civilization of Moche. At present, it’s thought of a nationwide dish of the nation.
17.) Peru boasts over 3,000 types of potato.
You might need a couple of of those in your supermarkets at house, however wow, Peru positively takes first place.
Over 3,000 varieties are present in Peru alone, so followers of the potato rejoice – that is the place for you. The potato was first grown domestically from round 8000 to 5000 BC. At present, they’re nonetheless primarily farmed utilizing previous methods.
18.) Peru is house to the oldest constantly working college within the Americas.
Established in 1551 in Lima, the capital metropolis, the Nationwide College of San Marcos is definitely one of many oldest universities within the “New World.” The college was based by the royal decree and as we speak is a middle of scientific analysis and a base for influential thinkers and future world geniuses.
19.) Lima is the third-biggest metropolis within the Americas.
Yeah, it’s not a small metropolis in any respect. It’s the third-biggest in the entire Americas, following Sao Paulo and the megalopolis of Mexico Metropolis. Lima was based in 1535 in an already-existing Incan agricultural area, however a lot of the metropolis was destroyed by a 1940 earthquake; a lot needed to be rebuilt. And rebuilt it was; as we speak, Lima’s city space covers greater than 800 sq. kilometers.
20.) There’s quite a lot of corn in Peru.
It’s not simply the yellow sort that you already know and love. There’s pink, black, purple, white, and orange – a multicolored spectrum of corn. That is one among our favourite meals details about Peru as a result of it makes for such a reasonably sight!
21.) Peru is house to the Nazca Strains.
These huge drawings – in any other case often called geoglyphs – within the Nazca Desert are thought to have been created between 500 BC and 500 AD. They depict animals, patterns, and people, all with various complexity.
When first “found” in 1553, they had been regarded as roads. All types of theories abound – historical astronauts, early sizzling air balloons – however the reality you’ll be able to see them from the encompassing hills makes these concepts appear form of foolish.
22. Peruvians eat guinea pigs.
Whereas guinea pigs are cute pets for a lot of the western world, they’re an amazing snack in Peru. They might not look all that interesting, however guinea pig is a ubiquitous dish. Known as cuy, these critters didn’t develop into pets till the Spanish introduced them house for everybody to fall in love with. They’re nonetheless very a lot a conventional (fairly crispy) dish in Peru.
23. Panpipes aren’t from Peru, however the siku is from the nation.
Panpipes, or syrinx, discuss with those that the half-deer half-human Roman god Pan used to play. All types of merry-making people within the historical world had been depicted enjoying them. In actual fact, in Peru, notably across the Titicaca area, panpipes are additionally in style, however they originated independently and are known as siku.
24. Historic Peruvians used to surf.
Sure, you might have thought that browsing originated in Hawaii, however one of the enjoyable Peru details is that its historical inhabitants used to hit the waves. We’re speaking pre-Inca right here, in order that’s earlier than 1000 AD.
Even pottery depicts a person browsing on what seems like a log. Proof suggests there was contact between historical Polynesians and Peruvians. Peru remains to be an amazing surf spot, with big level breaks and worldwide competitions.
25. Folks dwell on Lake Titicaca on floating islands fabricated from grass.
Probably the most fascinating details about Peru: the folks dwelling on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca have been a characteristic of the realm because the Incas.
The Uru folks harvest grass and use it in bundles for his or her islands. They’re defensive since you’ll be able to paddle out to the center of the lake! One of many islands nonetheless has a watchtower on it.
26.) One of many deepest canyons on this planet is in Peru.
Greater than twice as deep because the Grand Canyon, Cotahuasi Canyon is loopy. It’s over 11,000 ft deep! Colca Canyon, additionally in Peru, can be one of many deepest on this planet at 10,730 ft.
27.) The very best sand dune on this planet is in Peru.
Within the Sechura Desert, you’ll discover Cerro Blanco – the best dune on this planet at 3,680 ft tall. That won’t appear that prime, however it’s loftier than the tallest peak in the UK! Not unhealthy for a dune.
It’s located near the desert city of Huacachina and has develop into a preferred spot for sandboarding. It takes about three sizzling hours to get to the highest, however getting down is way faster.
28.) An historical alcoholic beverage remains to be a preferred drink in Peru
Chicha is constructed from various things throughout South America, however it’s constructed from corn in Peru. Chicha has historical roots; corn was thought of sacred; thus, an alcoholic drink constructed from corn was much more so. The preferred corn sort is the purple-hued selection, which grows in abundance within the Andes. Gross sales of Chicha in Peru (as a gentle drink) rival Coca-Cola.
29. There’s a rainbow mountain in Peru.
All Instagrammers love Peru details like this one. We child you not – Vinicunca is a mountain that’s striped with a load of various colours. That is a type of fairly cool Peru details. It’s fairly superior. The identify means “Seven Coloration Mountain,” which is smart.
30.) Peru is house to probably the most historical metropolis in all of the Americas.
Ending this listing of Peru details is one among my favorites! Older than the Maya, the Aztec, Inca, Tiwanaku, or another historical peoples, the Norte Chico tradition is understood for some actually historical ruins – Caral. This elaborate advanced is unfold over 370 acres and has every little thing you’d need in a metropolis – plazas, buildings, streets, temples, and an amphitheater.
It was a busy metropolis of three,000 folks inhabited across the identical time because the Nice Pyramids in Egypt, 2600-2000 BC (roughly). It’s regarded as the premise of Andean civilization.
When is the Greatest Season to Journey to Peru?
Excessive season (Might-September)
It’s possible you’ll be shocked to listen to that winter in Peru is the perfect time to journey there. Between Might and September is the driest time to go to Peru, it’s a bit chilly, however it’s definitely higher than rain!
Shoulder Season (April and October, November)
Tourism is decrease throughout this time, and temperatures are gentle and slightly unpredictable. Nonetheless, it’s not going to be raining on a regular basis!
Low Season (December to March)
That is the Peruvian Summer season, and when you could just like the sound of hotter climate, Peru experiences heavy rainfall throughout these months.
When is the Greatest Time to Journey to Peru?
As talked about, the best time to travel to Peru is throughout the winter. Throughout this time, the air is dryest, and you’ve got much less probability of rain. We traveled to Peru in June and had a implausible time. Simply observe that it’s winter, so that you’ll wish to deliver a packable down jacket and different heat gear.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to Machu Picchu?
The Andes have two very distinct seasons – moist and dry. December to March is the moist season, and regardless of getting rained on a bit, it’s nonetheless a implausible time to journey to Machu Picchu. Bring a packable rain jacket.
To keep away from the rain, it’s best to go to Machu Picchu throughout the dry season (Might-November). We visited Machu Picchu in June and had been met with implausible climate, nice for climbing!
When is the Greatest Time to Hike the Inca Path?
The Inca Path is nice to go throughout the dry and moist seasons, though it closes throughout the heaviest rainfall in February. If you happen to can, I’d suggest climbing the Inca Path within the dry season!
When is the Most cost-effective Time to go to Peru?
Peru is a reasonably reasonably priced nation to journey by way of, and costs don’t change drastically relying on the season. Nevertheless, it’s best to journey throughout the offseason for extra of a deal. Nevertheless, many institutions could also be shut down. Though you’ll save a buck, you’ll sacrifice it for unpredictable climate.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to the Amazon in Peru?
The Peruvian Amazon has the identical local weather as most tropical rainforests. Temperatures common round 25 °C year-round, and humidity is at all times excessive.
June to October is the dry season and is the perfect time to go to the Peruvian rainforest for trekking. If you wish to cruise down the Amazon, the perfect time to go to is definitely the moist season because the rains trigger the river to swell.
