Official name: Republic of Peru. Where is Peru? Brief description of the republic

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

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 - 23 people live here per square meter. Total number is almost 31 million people, 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 for Peru is different great importance However, 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. There is constant mining of minerals 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 the 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...

South America- a continent on which 12 independent states and three dependent territories are located (French Guiana formally belongs to France, the Falkland and South Sandwich Islands to Great Britain). Of the dozen states, the territory where Peru is located is the third largest on the mainland. This country is second in area only to Brazil and Argentina.

Neighbors of Peru

Peru shares borders with five other South American countries. In the southeast, Peru borders Chile and Bolivia, in the east it borders on Brazil, in the northern neighbors - Colombia, and in the northwestern - Ecuador. Western border Peru stands for the Pacific Ocean.

Geography of Peru

The relief of Peru is very diverse. The Costa stretches along the ocean coast - a fairly narrow flat strip. To the east of it is the Andes mountain range called the Sierra, behind which is the Amazonian lowland. In the south it smoothly turns into the flat foothills of Montagna. The largest river in South America, the Amazon, flows through the territory of the state of Peru. It is also worth noting that the country is located in a seismic zone. Earthquakes occur here at least once a year, but are usually more frequent.

Tourist attractions

The most famous and interesting to travelers are: Machu Picchu - the lost city built by the legendary Incas, Tucume - the valley of the pyramids, Lake Tikicaca and the storehouse of God - Ollantaytambo. And nature lovers are sure to visit the Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve and Costa - a unique natural formation with various historical monuments.

If you are going to visit this country and have already figured out where Peru is, you can plan your travel route using the article.

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. Official language in the country it 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 representing archaeological or historical value 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. Unique masonry The Incas excite 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 - the overthrow of the Fujimori regime as a result of mass popular uprisings, criticism of international organizations and disagreements within the leadership. 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. Lives in the capital and on the coast greatest number population of European origin. 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 ex-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 last 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 an 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 capital of the country - this is the most Big 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

IN Lately 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. average cost An economy class air ticket on the Lima-Santiago-Lima route will cost 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 skiing, and even 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 of 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 number of different religious holidays in its calendar. The 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. The most important holiday in the life of local residents is “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 kinds buses according to the degree of comfort also include 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, 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

When studying a world map, it is worth paying attention to one state. Its location, history and development are quite interesting. That is why we want to dedicate this article to a story about the Republic of Peru. Study its borders, population, system of government. And, of course, find out where Peru is located and what relief features it has.

Geographical position

Peru (the official name is the Republic of Peru) is located on the western coast of the continent. Its area of ​​1,285,220 square kilometers allows it to occupy the third place in size between Divided into 25 departments, the capital since the times of the Incas has been the city of Lima. In order to accurately answer the question of where Peru is located, you need to know its coordinates - this is 8°48′00″ S. w. 74°58′00″ W. d. In the vicinity of the state there are countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile. From the west it is washed by Pacific waters.

Briefly about the main thing

Translated from the language of local aborigines, the name of the state means “river”. The largest water streams are the Amazon and Marañon, and the largest lake is the world famous Titicaca. The highest point is Mount Huascaran (6,768 m). According to 2015 data, the country's population is more than 31 million people, the capital has about 7 million inhabitants. Independence was declared on July 28, 1821. The climate is mixed, showing signs of both equatorial and tropical in the Republic of Peru. South America, it is worth noting, is characterized by such features. In the equatorial zone there is only one season, a very large amount of precipitation, while in the tropical zone there are two seasons. The Amazon jungle has a particularly hot and humid climate.

Relief features

When you find out where Peru is located, the diversity of the topography immediately becomes clear. Most The lands located along the Pacific coast are occupied by the Costa desert, a little to the east there is the Andes mountain belt, and even further - the Amazon jungle with its evergreen tropical forests, which smoothly turns into the Montagna plain. Nature has given this country such pearls as the highlands with its unique oceanic ichthyofauna and beautiful surroundings, with mysterious drawings (they can only be seen from the air), national park Manu is the most beautiful place in the Amazon, as well as many other sites that boast of their beauty, as well as the uniqueness of the flora and fauna.

Attractions

It is worth noting that many tourists who come to Peru need time to adapt. However, those natural beauty, which can be observed on the territory of the republic, are worth some inconvenience. There are also numerous architectural monuments and ancient remains that this state with an amazing history is rich in. Just look at the sights of Lima and such buildings from the Incas as Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu, Puca Pucara and others.