Peru Republic of Peru Date of creation of an independent state: 1821 Area: 1285 thousand square meters. kmAdministrative division: 25 regions, 195 provinces, separate department of LimaCapital: LimaOfficial languages: Spanish and QuechuaCurrency: saltPopulation:

Peru is a remote South American country with an intriguing history, unique architecture and extraordinary natural diversity. As the owner of one of the new seven wonders of the world - the mysterious city of Machu Picchu, Peru is rightfully proud of the rich heritage of the Inca Empire. This colorful country, full of contrasts, attracts tourists not only with its rich archaeological heritage, but also with authentic colonial architecture, exquisite gastronomy, as well as pristine nature in the mountains and jungle. Located in the Andes Mountains on the west coast of South America, the country is bordered in the northwest by Ecuador, in the north by Colombia, in the east by Brazil, and in the southeast by Bolivia and Chile. In the west, its coastline is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Peru is considered one of the largest countries in South America by area, according to this indicator it ranks third after Brazil and Argentina. Its area is very impressive and amounts to 1,285,216 km².

The country's population as of 2012 exceeds 30,475,144 people. The capital of Peru is the city of Lima with a population of 9,437,493 people. The country's national currency is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, PEN. On average, the exchange rate against the dollar is approximately two and a half to one, that is, for one dollar they give 2.7 soles. The official language in the country is Spanish, but in regions with a predominant Indian population, the official languages ​​are Quechua and Aymara.

Peru is a very religious country, the main religion in the country is Catholicism

CUSTOMS RULES OF PERU

There are no overly strict customs regulations in Peru. As elsewhere, the import of drugs, weapons and ammunition is prohibited. The import of sausages and, in particular, dry-cured ham requires a special certificate of suitability from the manufacturer. It is allowed to import up to 2.5 liters of strong alcoholic drinks per person, as well as up to 400 cigarettes. The import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited. Export is limited only to previously imported amounts. It should be remembered that the export from the country of objects of archaeological or historical value is strictly prohibited.

HISTORY OF PERU

The country’s rich, dramatic history can be divided into several main periods:

• Early period preceding the Inca Empire
• The period of Inca rule in pre-Columbian America
• Spanish conquest of Peru
• Struggle for independence
• Pacific Wars of the 19th century
• Modern period

The appearance of the first inhabitants on the territory of modern Peru dates back to the 10th millennium BC. e., when the settlement of the river valleys of the coast began. It is known that in that distant period, various Indian cultures and civilizations already existed on the territory of Peru, the most famous and developed of which are Nazca, Chincha and Paracas. These peoples appeared on the territory of modern Peru long before the emergence of the Inca Empire and, in their way, played the role of their predecessors, however, they were subsequently conquered and absorbed by the Incas. And only in the 12th century, in the valley of the Urubamba River, the Inca state of Tawantinsuyu arose, one of the most unusual civilizations in world history. This event is considered the most important in the context of the country’s history, largely determining its further development and the course of history. Over five centuries, the Inca state turned into largest empire pre-Columbian America. The Inca's possessions covered the territories of modern Peru, Bolivia, Chile, parts of Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The Incas were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, weaving and pottery, gold and silver processing, and were also skilled builders. The famous agricultural terraces of the Incas allowed them to harvest several crops a year, and the skillful irrigation system of canals and aqueducts allowed them to supply uninterrupted water. The unique stonework of the Incas excites the minds of scientists to this day. The disadvantages of this civilization include the lack of writing and the wheel. In the mid-15th century, the Inca state reached its peak under the legendary Inca Pachacutec. This time became the golden era of the Inca Empire. But, despite its power, the Inca Empire was quickly conquered and subjugated by the Spanish conquistadors. In 1533, Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro easily conquered the colossal Inca Empire. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that by that time the Inca Empire was weakened by internal hostility and strife, and they identified the Spanish horsemen with deities. But still, the Incas fought the conquistadors for another forty years, and only in 1572 did it finally end, when the last Inca, Tupac Amaru, was executed in the main square.

In 1544, the Viceroyalty of Peru was established on the territory of the Inca Empire, the main stronghold of Spain on the new continent. Thus began the period of colonial rule in Peru, which lasted three centuries and brought a lot of suffering to its people.

At the beginning of the 19th century, liberation movements broke out throughout South America. At that time, Peru was the most odious stronghold of Spanish colonialism, from where royal troops were sent on missions of conquest to other countries. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that in 1820 a liberation movement led by General San Martin began in Lima. San Martin took Lima and on July 28, 1821, declared the independence of Peru, becoming its protector. In 1823, the Spaniards still managed to regain power over Peru, and San Martin had to urgently return to Chile. But already in 1824, Peru was invaded by the troops of Sucre, an associate of Bolivar, who finally defeated the Spaniards. It was Bolivar who had the privilege of forming the country, dividing it into two parts - Peru itself and Bolivia. This is how it arose independent state Peru.

In the 19th century, Peru, together with Bolivia, waged a war against Chile, which sought to seize large deposits of saltpeter in their territories. This war, which lasted from 1879 to 1883, went down in history as the Second Pacific War. As a result of the war, Peru was defeated, and the Peruvian province of Tarapaca and the Bolivian Antofagasta were transferred to Chile, disputes about which do not subside between these countries to this day.

Speaking about the modern period of the country’s history, one cannot ignore the following points in the development of the republic:

• In the 70-80s, the Maoist guerrilla movement of the left-wing radical “Sendero Luminoso” arose and strengthened in the country, provoking a wave of terror and instability in the country.
• 1985-1990 - Alan Garcia's first presidency, characterized by high levels of inflation and corruption.
• 1990-2001 - the presidency of Alberto Fujimori, characterized by an authoritarian regime, violation of human rights and the organization of death squads to combat left-wing radical movements.
• 2001 - overthrow of the Fujimori regime as a result of mass popular uprisings, criticism international organizations and disagreements within management. After scandals and revelations of various human rights violations, the president fled to Japan, from where he announced his resignation. Fujimori was later sentenced to a long prison sentence.
• 2001-2006 - term of office of President Alejandro Toledo.
• 2006-2011 - the second presidency of Alan Garcia, characterized by forceful methods of government.
• June 5, 2011 - Ollanta Humala, the leader of the Peruvian Nationalist Party, was elected as the new president, becoming the first president of Indian origin in the country's history.

The ethnic composition of Peru is conventionally divided into three parts according to habitat. The most populated are the so-called costa (Pacific coast) and sierra (mountain valleys near the coast), and the least populated is the Amazon jungle. Most of The population is of mixed origin, which is typical for most countries of the South American continent. The capital and coastline have the largest population of European descent. Basically, these are descendants of the Spaniards, as well as Italians, French and Germans. These people constitute the country's elite and occupy a privileged position in it. There are also many Asians in the country, mainly of Chinese and Japanese origin. The most famous Peruvian of Japanese descent is former President Alberto Fujimori. The majority of the Costa population are mestizo; in the mountains and the Amazon, Indians predominate, constituting 52% of the country's population.

Speaking about the characteristics of the character and mentality of the Peruvians, first of all, one can note their good nature and courtesy, the desire to provide guests of their country with a warm welcome and to serve in everything. Peruvians treat tourists with great respect and great care. Such qualities of national character cannot but rejoice. Most Peruvians, especially in the service sector, have a high cultural level, know and respect rich history of your country. In general, people produce very pleasant impression. The Peruvian intelligentsia deserves special attention; it is a special caste, whose representatives are at the highest level in terms of education, general development and intelligence. In no other country in South America will you meet people of such a high intellectual and spiritual level. Apparently, to some extent this is directly related to the ancient history and culture of this country, the spiritual heritage of the nation!

Economically, Peru is an agricultural country with a developed mining and manufacturing industry. The country is rich in natural resources such as copper, silver, gold, oil, timber, iron ore, coal, and gas. Exports copper, gold, zinc, petroleum and petroleum products, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, textiles, processed fish and fishmeal.

The standard of living in the country is quite low, but in recent years Peru has made a powerful breakthrough in its development, as a result of which people began to live noticeably better and of higher quality. If 20 years ago the country was shocked by its blatant poverty on the verge of poverty, now there is no trace of this. Noticeable progress and qualitative improvements are visible in all areas of life. A country with the richest potential, with ancient history and cultural heritage, according to all forecasts, should get ahead in the coming years and give its population the opportunity to live in dignity.

Russians no longer require a visa to Peru. Citizens Russian Federation may stay in Peru without a visa for ninety days.

How to get to Peru

It makes the most sense to start your trip from the country's capital - it is the largest city, and flights there will be much cheaper and more frequent than to other cities in Peru.

The easiest and most logical option to fly to Lima () from Russia is flights from one of the European airlines with a connection at its home airport. These are Iberia, Air France, KLM, Air Europa and Lan. See all flight options from your city to Peru using the form below.

Search for flights to Peru

How to get from Peru to Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador

Recently, tourists are increasingly combining visits to Peru with Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. The most convenient way to get from Lima to these countries is with direct flights from LAN. Today, this airline is considered the undisputed leader in the Latin American aviation market. LAN is famous for its impeccable service and reliable aircraft, but its ticket prices are quite high. The average cost of an economy class airfare on the Lima-Santiago-Lima route will be approximately $400, provided that the ticket is purchased several months before departure. Just before departure, prices can reach $700. Travel time is four hours.

Cities and regions of Peru

Administratively, the territory of Peru is divided into 25 regions, which in turn are subdivided into numerous provinces and districts. Each region has its own interesting specifics and features, both natural-geographical and cultural-historical.

Sights of Peru

As a rule, a visit to Peru begins from the capital. The rest of the attractions and interesting places are quite scattered and distant from each other. Below you will find links to attractions in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno and other regions of Peru.

Sights of other regions of Peru

• Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Nature Reserve
• Hera Falls
• National Peruvian Railway Museum
• Mancora resort
• Resort Puerto Pizarro

National parks of Peru:

The country is home to many natural parks, the most interesting and worth visiting of which are the following:

• Manu National Park in the region of Madre de Dios
• Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve in the region of Madre de Dios
• Paracas National Park in the Ica region
• Huascaran National Park in the Ancash region
• Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Loreto region

Where to go in Peru

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Private guides in Peru

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Peru in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

In addition to a myriad of different attractions, Peru can offer its guests a wide range of activities, both sports, entertainment and educational. Here you can walk in the mountains, go horseback riding, mountain biking, motorcycles or jeeps, rafting down rivers, surfing and alpine skiing and even go paragliding! The latter fun is especially common in the capital. Since Lima is located above ocean level, the very structure of the city is conducive to paragliding. In the Miraflores area, you can easily fly over the ocean and the terraces of the coastline, feeling like a bird. Almost constant flows warm air allow you to take off and land in the same place.

Festivals and holidays in Peru

Being deep religious country, Peru has an incredible amount of variety in its calendar religious holidays. Main holidays - Good Friday and Easter are celebrated on a grand scale throughout the country. In the most religious cities of the country - Lima, Cusco and Ayacucho, massive colorful ceremonies and solemn processions take place. And All Saints Day is celebrated throughout the country with a traditional ceremony of visiting the graves of ancestors. Most important holiday In the lives of local residents - "Inti Raymi" - the summer solstice holiday is celebrated on June 24. The colorful ceremony of welcoming the Sun and worshiping it is held annually in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, attracting countless tourists from all over the world. On November 5, Puno hosts an unusual celebration of the symbolic appearance of the first Inca, Manco Capac, and his girlfriend on Lake Titicaca.

In addition, each region has its own local holidays in the format of events in local history and the veneration of the patron saints of this particular area, which makes such events unique in their own way and unlike others.

So, in February there is the Marinera Dance Festival in Trujillo, in March - the Vendimia wine festival in Ica, in June - the San Juan Festival in Iquitos, in April - the Peruvian horse competition in Pachacamas, and in November - the Bullfights in Lima. It is also interesting to see what cockfighting is like, a popular entertainment among Peruvians, which is held in the capital throughout the year.

Getting around the country

Public transport is quite well developed in Peru and is represented by planes, buses and trains.

Planes in Peru

In a country with such complex terrain as Peru, air travel plays an important role important role- after all, in many difficult places can only be reached by air. Moreover, if you are traveling long distances, then it makes sense to use the services of one of the local airlines, for example, TACA, StarPeru or Peruvian Airlines. TACA is considered the best airline in the Peruvian aviation market, leading in all respects, and accordingly having the highest ticket prices.

Before purchasing tickets for domestic flights, you should keep in mind that there are pitfalls. The fact is that in Peru there is differentiation in tariffs for foreign and national passengers, but this only applies to two top tourist destinations - Cusco and Iquitos. And the difference in price is quite significant - for comparison, a ticket from Lima to Cusco for a Peruvian will cost about 80 dollars, and for a foreigner it will cost as much as 170 dollars!

Buses in Peru

The choice of a bus company should be approached with the utmost seriousness, because your safety and comfort directly depends on it. Cruz del Sur is considered the undisputed leader among bus companies in Peru. The buses of this company are comfortable and reliable, and the price-quality ratio is one of the best on the entire Latin American continent. In Peru, there are different types of buses according to the degree of comfort and seats, the most popular of which are semi-folding seats - semicama and fully folding seats - cama. The bus is the most popular look transport in the country, inexpensive and comfortable. The network of bus routes of various companies covers almost the entire territory of the country. It makes sense to take a bus for medium distances, for example from Cusco to Puno or Arequipa. It doesn't make sense to take a bus from Lima to Cusco or Piura, it will take too long and be quite tiring. But if you have a limited budget and a lot of time, then this option will be quite acceptable. For example, a bus trip from Lima to Cusco takes on average about 12 hours and costs approximately $30.

Other bus companies with positive reviews include the following:

• Buses Flores Hermanos
• Tepsa
• Linea
• Ormeno
• Oltursa

Safety

Peru is a fairly poor country with all the ensuing consequences, so it is not at all surprising that the crime rate here is quite high. However, this does not mean at all that during your journey there will be danger at every step. In the top tourist places in the country, relative order has been restored and there is nothing much to worry about. In Lima, Miraflores and Barranco are considered the safest areas. The center of the capital is supervised around the clock by the tourist police, whose task is to protect city guests and help them in every possible way. Cusco is generally a calm and safe city, but it is better not to go to the popular areas of Santa Clara and especially around the market, especially alone. It is worth remembering that in every city there are certain areas where tourists are not recommended to go.

Here are some precautions that you should take while traveling in this country:

• You should not provoke the local population with your appearance, wear expensive jewelry, demonstrate expensive equipment, or large amounts of cash.
• Leave valuables, documents and cash in the hotel safe. It is better to carry a photocopy of your passport with you.
• If you need to withdraw money from an ATM, it is better to do it during the daytime and with an accompanying person.
• It is better to order a taxi at a hotel or restaurant. When paying taxi drivers, it is better to give the exact amount; there have been cases when taxi drivers pretended that they did not have change.
• Take a good look at what local money looks like. There have been cases when merchants gave tourists change in old, out-of-circulation banknotes.
• Try to avoid places with large crowds of people; in a crowd it is much easier for thieves to steal money unnoticed. Accordingly, always keep an eye on your bags and wallets.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash with you; it is better to limit yourself to a small amount in accordance with your daily expenses.
• Women traveling alone may often hear catcalls and outright compliments from Peruvian men. It's not scary if you don't come into contact with them. It is better to pretend that you do not understand their intentions and pass by.
• It is not recommended to walk alone at night. If you do not have company and you are late, you should call an official taxi.

In case of emergency, dial 105 (rescue service), the police number in Lima is 714-313.

If you have lost documents, or in any other difficult situation, we recommend contacting

In Peru, timetables for all modes of transport are often not followed, so changing planes, planning trips by rail, etc. It is advisable to plan with a reserve of time.

Taxi. To travel around the city, it is best to use a taxi. However, you should know that traffic congestion is a big problem in the capital, especially during peak hours (from 7 to 11 am and from 5 to 11 pm). There are quite a lot of taxis in cities and it is possible to choose transport in terms of convenience and adequate fare (meters are not used).
The price is negotiable, you need to agree on the fare before you get into the taxi, and it is customary to bargain. The minimum fare is 4–5 soles. A trip from the San Isidro and Miraflores areas to the airport will cost 35-70 soles (about 10-20 US dollars).
For safety reasons, it is recommended not to take the first taxi you come across; when leaving the hotel at night, it is better to order a taxi by phone.

Metropolitan. Since the summer of 2011, the metropolitan metropolis has had one line (26 stations) of a modern above-ground metro. Trains run on schedule and travel costs about $0.75. It should be taken into account that the interval between trains on weekdays is about 5–10 minutes, and on weekends from 15 to 20 minutes. During rush hours the carriages are overcrowded.

City bus service. The cities are well developed, travel is cheap, but uncomfortable due to the large number of passengers and the deterioration of most buses.

Intercity bus service. It is the main mode of transport in Peru, the level of service and safety varies greatly depending on the carrier company. On the positive side, the transport company Cruz del Sur has proven itself (prices for round trip travel: Lima-Ica from 15 US dollars, Lima-Arequipa from 55 US dollars). You should take into account the long duration of bus journeys, for example, the Lima – Arequipa bus takes about 18 hours.

Railway connection not developed in the country.
As a rule, tourists use only the Cusco – Aguas Calientes branch (direction to Machu Picchu). You can make an interesting trip along the route Lima - Huancayo, but flights are extremely irregular and depend on the weather in the mountains. In addition, the railway connects the cities of Cusco, Puno (the famous Lake Titicaca is located here) and Arequipa.

Air traffic. The absolute leader in the Peruvian market is the LAN company, which has proven itself in terms of reliability and provides not only the majority of passenger transportation in the country, but also offers a very comfortable service.
Flight times across the country are not long; for example, a flight from Lima to Cusco lasts about 55 minutes.

Lunch at a middle class restaurant. The city of Lima has a well-developed network of restaurants and cafes, but the quality of food in them is far from the same. In general, Peruvian cuisine has a wide variety of dishes. Lunch costs per person range from $10 to $30.

Middle class hotel room. There are few hotels of a suitable level and safe for Russian citizens to stay in.
The cost of rooms in a middle-class hotel in Lima is from 50 to 100 US dollars per day.

Tips. For good service, it is customary to pay about 10% of the bill amount (but not more than 10–20 US dollars). You can pay doormen about 1-2 soles per bag.

Opening hours of grocery and department store stores. Grocery stores are open from 08.00-09.00 to 21.00-22.00.
Manufactured goods stores are open from 10.00-11.00 to 20.00-22.00.
As a rule, there is no lunch break.

Availability of mobile communications. It is not common everywhere, but is usually present in cities and on the coast. Communication standard GSM 850, 1900.
3G and 4G networks work.
Roaming is available to all subscribers of Russian telecom operators.
Cafes, restaurants and hotels usually have free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Internet cafe. Every relatively large locality has an Internet cafe (about $0.4 per hour).

Procedure for using a pay phone. You can call anywhere in the world from numerous pay phones, where payment is made in coins.
You can also make international calls from post offices and hotels. To call from Peru to Russia you need to dial 007 and the area code with the subscriber number.
When calling within Peru, you must dial 0 before the area code.
To make a call from Russia to Peru, you need to dial 8 beeps 10 - 51 (Peru code) - city code (Lima code - 1) - subscriber number.
Bank opening hours and credit card distribution. Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays from 09.00 to 13.00-14.00.
Hotels, restaurants and shops accept most international credit cards, including Visa, Master Card and American Express. Payment is made at the bank rate, which is less favorable than at exchange offices.

Currency exchange. Banks, exchange offices, hotels and travel agencies are allowed to exchange traveler's checks and cash. The most popular currency is the US dollar. There are no restrictions on currency exchange in Peru. American dollars are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops and department stores.
Visitors are advised to exchange money in banks as it is safer. It is recommended to avoid street money changers. A large number of counterfeit banknotes of local and American currency are in circulation in the country.

Electrical voltage in the network. Mains voltage - 220 V, 60 Hz. An adapter is required - an adapter for a vertical-flat (American) connector.

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, and 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 divided into three regions: Coast (Costa) on east coast Pacific Ocean, Mountains (Sierra) - in the middle part of the Andes and Selva (Selva) - in the western part of the Amazon.

In the west, the country's territory is washed by ocean waters.

The country's largest river is the Amazon, the largest lakes are Titicaca and Junin. Lake Titicaca is the largest high-altitude navigable body of water on the planet. Its area is 8287 square meters. km.

Cape Pariñas is considered the westernmost point of the country.

A complex mountain system, which consists of a chain of ridges of the Peruvian Andes and Cordilleras.

The highest point of the country is the dormant volcano Huascaran, whose height is 6768 meters.

Peru has a fairly varied climate, ranging from tropical in the east to tropical mountain in the west. This is due to the complex topography of the country's surface.

In the coastal zone, the average annual temperature ranges from +16 to 25 C. In the Andes - from -5 to +16 ° C. 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 there is a tiny drizzle, which is called “garya”.

The Andes ridges create a barrier to oceanic air masses, providing a contrast between the Pacific coast and the forested slopes.

The best time to visit the mountainous regions and Selva is considered to be from June to August, the coast - from December to March.

Visas, entry rules, customs rules

To enter the country, Russian citizens must obtain a visa. This can be done at the consular section of the Peruvian Embassy located in Moscow. The visa is issued in a few business days, the consular fee is $12.

When departing from the country, you must pay an airport tax of $25, and on domestic flights - $4.

The visa can be extended at the General Directorate of Immigration in Lima. You can do this three times. In this case, a fee of $20 is paid. Children under 16 years old are included in the visa of their 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. When exchanging back, you must provide receipts for the exchange of foreign currency into salt.

Persons over the age of 18 can import limited quantities of tobacco, alcohol, perfume and food into Peru duty-free.

Gifts and personal items in undamaged original packaging can be imported in quantities whose value does not exceed $300. When importing sausages, salami, ham or cheese, a certificate of fitness from the manufacturer is required.

You cannot bring uncanned food, weapons or drugs into Peru. Without special permission, you cannot import or export objects and things that have artistic, historical or archaeological value.

To import professional photo, film or video equipment, you must obtain a special permit. You can export wool and leather products, jewelry, and souvenirs. In this case, you must 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 status

The country's population is about 27.5 million people. Of these, 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizo, 15% are from Europe and about 3% are from Asia.

Peru's largest cities 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).

IN politically Peru is a presidential republic. The state and government are headed by 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 belongs to the president and prime ministers, who are appointed by the president. Judicial power is exercised Supreme Court and local judicial authorities.

Administratively, the country's territory is divided into 24 departments and 1 constitutional province of Callao. Administrative units have quite a lot of independence.

The official languages ​​of Peru are Spanish and Quechua. Aymara and other languages ​​of Indian groups are also widespread. In the interior, not everyone speaks Spanish.

In the tourism industry, English is mostly understood.

What to see

Peru is rightfully considered one of the most interesting countries in the world. Many interesting cultural monuments of the pre-European period have been preserved here. And the nature of this country simply amazes with its splendor.
The city of Lima is the capital of Peru. It was founded in 1535 and lies on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. During the Conquest, this city became the political and military capital of Spanish possessions in South America. Currently Lima is big 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 plan and is under UNESCO protection. There are many colorful Spanish colonial mansions here.

In the central Plaza de Armas square you can see a stone fountain created in the 17th century. It is considered the oldest building in the city. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, built in 1540, houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro.

Also of interest to tourists are the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and two pre-Incan temples in San Isidro. The Church of San Francisco preserves catacombs from the colonial period. In the Plaza de San Martin there is a statue of San Martin, who became famous for declaring the independence of Peru.

Among 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 quarter of Barranco.
The "Lover's Street" Puente de los Suspiros ("Bridge of Sighs") leads to an observation deck with 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. The Marcahuasi plateau is located 80 km from Lima, at an altitude of about 3900 m. Here you can see many megalithic sculptures and rock paintings. Scientists are still arguing about their origin.
29 km south of the capital Pachacamac is located. It represents a place of worship of the Divine Creator of the Earth, a very important religious center of the pre-Inca period.
In the neighboring Rimac Valley are the mysterious structures of Puruchuco and Cajamarquilla.
Cusco (Hoxo - “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. If you believe the legends, it was founded by the first ancestors of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo around 1200 AD. e.
The city is located at an altitude of about 3500 m, but is quite crowded. Its entire territory is under UNESCO protection.
The entire city was carved out of the mountains by the Incas many centuries ago. The city was built in the form of the silhouette of a sacred puma. Huge boulders were used during construction, but they were not held together with mortar. In this case, there are practically no gaps between the stones. The streets are striking in their straightness, and the entire city is permeated by a unique system of stone watercourses.
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 El Triunfo Church, the Church of Santo Domingo.
La Compaña Cathedral is interesting for its huge three-hundred-year-old Maria Angola bell, which is the largest bell in South America. Among the museums we can highlight: Museum of the Institute of Archeology National University, Viceregal Museum and Museum of Religious Art.
North-west of the city center is the monumental complex of structures of Sacsayhuaman (Grey-Stone Bird of Prey). This military and religious center of the Inca Empire lies on the top of a mountain, 3500 m above sea level. It is made of huge stone blocks. The center of the structure is the so-called “Inca throne”. It is surrounded by 21 bastions with powerful towers.
Nearby lie the ruins of the fortresses of Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay.
30 km from Cusco is Pisac, which is an Incan citadel at the top of a mountain range.
The main attractions of this area are: the ruins of ancient Ollantaytambo, the pyramid city of Ollantaytambo, the Cosnipata valley ("Valley of Smoke"), and the secluded Sinacara valley.
Tumbes has the 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 Vilcanota (Urubamba) are considered the center of the spiritual culture of the Incas.
The archaeological complex of Caral dates back to 2600-2100. BC e. It lies 200 km north of Lima and is considered the most ancient city on the continent.
35 km from Cusco is Choquepuhio, which is home to the mysterious Lurche culture. Corihuayracina, Vilcabamba Vitcos and Espiritu Pampas are the last pockets of resistance to the Spanish invasion.
It is also worth visiting the Manu National Park, which covers an area of ​​1.5 million hectares.
The famous Machu Picchu ("old mountain") is the most famous and most mysterious Inca monument on the continent.
It is located 112 km northwest of Cusco. Historians and scientists still argue about the purpose of this ancient sacred city of the Incas. His total area is about 33 thousand hectares. The city lies 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 blocks. The Palace of the Moon is located at the foot of 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. Staircases, gutters, defensive walls, swimming pools, terraces and buildings can also be seen here.
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 square meters. km, the desert has the shape of an almost regular square. The climatic conditions here are very harsh. This place attracts tourists and researchers because... the entire desert territory is covered with mysterious drawings of enormous size - from 40 m to 8 km. These drawings are visible only from the air, they are carved into stone and made in one continuous line.
Approximately these drawings date back to 350-700 BC. e., but their purpose is still unknown. Here you can see geometric shapes, as well as stylized images of animals, birds and people in strange attire. It should be noted that many of the objects depicted are not even found in the Nazca region.
Another attraction of this area is the Chauchilla necropolis, which dates back to the late period of the Nazca culture (around the 1st century AD).
The high altitude Lake Titicaca is another a unique monument countries. Its name translates as "stone puma". It is located on the border of Bolivia and Peru and is the largest high-mountain navigable body of water in the world. Its area is 8287 square meters. km.
This lake by its nature is an ancient sea bay, which was raised by tectonic forces to a height of 3810 m. Therefore, oceanic ichthyofauna is observed in it - 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 homes, buildings for various purposes, as well as real floating islands "Uros". These islands were named after the extinct tribe of Uro Indians. On them, people's lives have remained virtually unchanged over the past five hundred years. The Incas considered the lake itself and its islands, of which there are more than 30, sacred.

The lake itself attracts with its fantastic panorama. Of great interest to tourists are also the funerary towers (“chulpas”) of Sillustani, which house the burial places of local leaders of the Inca era. The total burial area is 4 thousand square meters. m.
On the “island of knitting men” Taquile there is a good Textile Museum. Amantani Island is worth a visit. on which is the temple of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Sky).
In the high mountain village of Chuquito you can see the Church of Santo Domingo. And at the bottom of the lake, scuba divers found a city that dates back to the era of the Tiahuanaco culture (IX-X centuries AD). It is very reminiscent of the legendary city of Cusco - 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 was formerly one of the richest cities on the continent, because... There are silver mines next to it. 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 archaeological data, the heyday of this city dates back to the 5th century. BC e. But mathematical and astronomical calculations indicate that Tiahuanaco was created approximately in the 15th millennium BC. e.
Tiahuanaco was a thriving port and was located right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The pyramid of Akapana ("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 Kalasasaya "standing stone" with the famous Gate of the Sun, a small underground temple and giant statues, the height of which 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 Peru's second largest city 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. The Convento de Santa Catalina convent is located here. dating back to 1580 and famous throughout the world.
It is also worth seeing the Jesuit Church of La Campania, the Cathedral, and the central square Plaza de Armas. The former Casa de la Moneda mint, built in the 18th century, and the Casa Moral mansion are noteworthy.
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 Cruz del Condor observation deck. Other attractions of this region of the country include the Cotahuasi Canyon, the “Valley of Volcanoes,” the Salinas y Agiade Blanca National Park, and the Pata Pamba Pass (4825 m). You can explore ancient Inca burials in the rock caves above Antauilqui or swim in the geothermal springs located near the village of Chivay.
Costa is the Pacific coast of Peru. There are few seaside resorts here, but a large number of tourists are attracted here by numerous historical and cultural sites.

On one side this narrow strip of land is framed by the Andes, and on the other side it is washed by the waters of the ocean. The main attractions of Costa include 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 Huaylas Valley. The mysterious pre-Incan cultural cities of Sipan and Tucume are also worth seeing.
The city of Trujillo is the capital of Costa. It was founded in 1535 and represented the center of Spanish expansion into the mainland. And today this city attracts tourists with the same charm of the colonial era. Here you can see a large number of beautiful mansions built in the Spanish style.
The central square of the city, Plaza de Armas, deserves attention. 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 Iturregui mansion. You can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Cassinegli 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 from clay and stones. Previously, it was surrounded by a wall with seven bastions. The heyday of Chan-Chan was around the 12th century. At that time the city was the largest structure of its era. It had important political and cultural significance. The entire territory of the city was built up with palaces, rich houses and religious buildings.
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 (III thousand years BC) with the famous Cao pyramid. You can also see the remains of extensive irrigation canals and temples from the pre-Incan 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 area of ​​the most ancient Indian buildings in Sechin, which date back to the 16th century. BC e. Interesting are the ruins of Gran Pajaten, monuments of the Inca period around Cajamarca and Chachapoyas. Many tourists visit the seaside resorts of Chicama and La Pimentel and the ecological reserve in Batan Grande.
The eastern part of the country is called Selva, which accounts for 60% of the territory of all 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 people live in this area Indian tribes. 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 Selva is Iquitos. Sights worth visiting include the Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve, the picturesque Lake Yarinacocha and the Amazon forests.

The first settlements in 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 back to 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 the territory from Quito in Ecuador to the Mole River in Chile.

The Incas were known for a large number of beautiful gold items. For this reason, 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. The first viceroy was Blasco Nunez Vela, who arrived from Spain. This kingdom included all of Spain South America except Panama and Venezuela.

The Spaniards ruled the country for almost 300 years. The independence of Peru was declared on July 28, 1821.

But the Spanish came to power again in June 1823. In 1824, Peru was invaded from the north by the troops of Sucre, who was an associate of Bolivar. They finally defeated the Spanish colonialists.

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. Since the late 1980s, the country began to hold free elections on a multi-party basis, but this did not lead to civilian rule.

Peru is a member of the UN and all specialized agencies of this organization.

International trade

Main export goods Peru has gold, zinc, copper, crude oil and petroleum products. The country also exports coffee, potatoes, asparagus, processed fish and textiles.

The main export partners are countries such as America (20%), China (15.2%), Canada (8.3%), Japan (7%), Chile (5.8%) and Brazil (4.2%). %).

The country imports petroleum 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. Lima and Cusco are considered the most expensive places in the country. Shopping costs more for foreigners than for local residents.

Prices may vary significantly depending on the season. The country's shops are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00-16.00 to 20.00. In the capital, some supermarkets are open without lunch until 21.00-22.00. There are also 24-hour shops. In the provinces, stores have individual opening hours.

Tourists usually bring from Peru as souvenirs and gifts pottery, knitted woolen products, jewelry made of silver, fur, masks and wood products with artistic carvings.

Demography

The annual population growth is 1.2% (fertility is 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 strong mining industry and a developing manufacturing industry.

Industry contributes 25% of GDP and employs about 24% of the country's working population.

The most developed industries are the smelting of steel and other metals; extraction and processing of minerals, as well as oil and gas; food industry, fish processing, clothing and textile production.

Flora and fauna

The flora of Peru varies depending on the region. The Montauk jungle is home to plants such as rubber trees, mahogany trees, vanilla trees, sarsaparilla trees, and a large variety of exotic tropical flowers.

In the Sierra, vegetation is less diverse; only cacti and other drought- or frost-resistant plants can survive in this arid climate.

Mostly desert plants are found in the coastal zone.

The country's fauna 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 vicuna. Birds include the duck, giant condor, goose, partridge, flycatcher and finch. Common species in Montauk include the cougar, jaguar, armadillo, tapir, alligator, anteater, peccary, as well as many species of monkeys and some species of snakes.

The existence of some animals is currently under threat. Chinchillas, which have valuable fur, were almost completely exterminated. Vicuna 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 country's monetary unit is the New Sol (international designation - PEN, domestically - S/), which is nominally equal to 100 centimes. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 sol, as well as coins in 1, 2 and 5 sol, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.

American dollars are also accepted for payment everywhere. The exception is the 2001 CB Series $100 notes. Some places do not accept wrinkled bills.

The country's banks 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 the summer the opening hours sometimes change. In the provinces, some banks have their own operating hours.

Tourists can exchange currency at numerous exchange offices, as well as in banks, shops and hotels. Preference is given to American dollars. Other currencies can only be exchanged in large capital banks.

Damaged banknotes may not be accepted for exchange. It is recommended to keep the foreign currency exchange receipt until you leave the country. This will allow you to make a reverse exchange of unspent money.

At ATMs in Peru you can get cash in both soles 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's just impossible to pay large bills due to lack of change.

You should not change money on the street, because... It’s easy to run into scammers or robbers.

Peru, or as this state is officially called the Republic of Peru, is one of the most large countries on the South American continent (second in area only to Argentina and Brazil).

Despite the fact that the first mention of Peru dates back to 1525, civilization on the territory of this state began to develop back in the 10th millennium BC, when he lived here ancient people Norte Chico. They christened these lands “Peru”, which literally means “river”.

Geographical characteristics

The territory of the Latin American republic ranks 19th in the world rankings. The total area of ​​the country is slightly less than 1,300 thousand m2. Peru is located practically on the coastline of the continent, which ensures its proximity to five countries (Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile) and the entire Pacific Ocean.

The population density in the country is quite high - here on one square meter 23 people live. The total population is almost 31 million, with a third of the total population concentrated in the main city of Lima.

Nature

Peru is located in a very mountainous area. Despite the fact that along the coastline there is a plain, large mountains already rise a little to the east. There are about thirty peaks in total, the height of which exceeds 6000 meters. The highest point in Peru is considered to be Mount Huascaran in the Andes, which is part of the Cordillera Blanca massif (6768 m).

Particularly noteworthy are the rainbow mountains “Vanikunka”, whose name from the Quechua Indian language literally translates as “rainbow-colored mountains”. Many centuries ago, the red sandstone covering the peaks began to change color under the influence of wind and groundwater and began to turn green, yellow, brown, blue and other colors. This natural wonder is located in the province of Quispicanchis, 100 km from Cusco at an altitude of 5,200 meters. It’s not easy to conquer such a peak, but the editors of the National Geographic channel strongly advise you to at least try, and highlight the place on the list of those that you must see in your lifetime...

In this category, Peru can also be called a record holder. There are about twenty rivers and five large lakes in the country. Almost everyone knows the Amazon River and Lake Titicaca. Both of these aquatic ecosystems are among the most polluted, despite their size, and are increasingly in need of cleansing every year.

The Amazon is the largest river in the world after the Nile; it crosses the territory of five Latin American countries and is included in the list of seven natural wonders of the world...

Peru's aquatic ecosystem also includes the Pacific Ocean. The ocean area is not so important for Peru, but every year about 2 million tourists admire the ocean from the shores of this particular republic. Mining of minerals has been opened here: ferromanganese nodules, as well as gas hydrates. In addition, fishing is quite well developed here, which works for the benefit of the food industry and medicine...

Most of the territory of Peru does not have permanent vegetation cover, which is explained by excessive aridity. The area near the Andes is famous for its dense subtropical forests and jungles. Here you can find very rare species of red and vanilla trees, as well as sarsaparilla and evergreen cacti.

The animal world is much richer. Peru is home to about 800 species of birds, 250 species of mammals and more than 1,000 species of insects. Approximately 50 species (mysterious dart frog, yellow-faced parakeet, Incan toad, etc.) are considered endemic and are of particular interest to zoologists and travelers...

The west and east of the country are dominated by tropical desert and subequatorial climates, respectively. As you rise to altitude, the indicators may change. In general, the entire territory is characterized by aridity due to the proximity of the cold Peruvian Current, which is especially difficult for local residents from December to April, then the amount of precipitation increases slightly.

Peru is characterized by sharp temperature changes; during the day the air warms up to about 40 degrees, and at night up to 13...

Resources

Industry in Peru operates in two directions: mining and manufacturing. Mining of minerals is constantly carried out here: zinc, gold, natural gas, oil, lead, silver and more. The manufacturing industry operates in the areas of automobiles, metals, textiles and food.

Agriculture here provides about 8.5% of total GDP. Moreover, the emphasis is on growing grain crops, such as potatoes, barley, corn. Industrial crops include cotton and sugar cane. In addition, Peru, which is traditional for Latin America, is actively involved in the cultivation of coffee and cocoa beans. Many continue to illegally harvest the coca bush...

Culture

Concerning ethnic composition Peru, then only half modern population here the Peruvians (Creoles, mestizos), the remaining 50% are classified as Indians. And to this day, the culture of the ancient Incas lives here, which thousands of years ago were considered ruling class. The fortress of Machu Picchu testifies to the primacy of this tribe in Peru. Nowadays, rare excursions and mysterious rituals are held in the “lost city of the Sun”.

In total, four tribes live in Peru, which continue to honor the traditions of their ancestors. The most numerous is the Quechua tribe (almost 12 million). Today they are engaged in agriculture and profess Catholicism, although they often use shamanism and engage in sacrifice during field work...