Peru may not be the biggest country in South America but it’s the third largest. with an area of 496,225 square miles. Only Brazil and Argentina cover a greater area. Peru lies on the west coast of South America, Its border on the Pacific Ocean. The capital of Peru is Lima and its major languages are Spanish, Aymara and Quechua. People from all around the world visit famous places in Peru such as Cuzco, Ica, Arequipa, Puno, and many more. Peru is surrounded by the countries of Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile.
.....With more than half of the people in Peru being native (or indigenous), it has more native people living there than in any other country in South America.  The ancestors of these people were the Incas who built a great empire in western South America from the 1400’s to the 1500’s.  They were later conquered by the Spanish explorers in the 1530’s.   Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821.
     Peru has had a dictator ruled government many times since then. The most recent government  was adopted in 1993.  Under this government, the president is elected by the people and serves as head of the government.  He serves a 5 year term and can be reelected only once. Two vice presidents are also elected by the people.  A council of ministers are appointed by the President, including a Prime Minister, who helps direct the government. The laws are made by by a one house Congress.  The people elect the 120 members of Congress to a 5 year term.  The Supreme Court is Peru’s highest Court.
     Most of the people live in cities and towns. Lima has a population of 8 and a half million people and is the largest city. About one third of the population of Peru are mestizos, or descendants of some Spaniards and Indigenous people who intermarried. Spanish was the official language in Peru for centuries.  In 1975, another language, Quechua which was the language of the Inca, became an official language along with Spanish.        
     About 85 % of the people in Peru are Roman Catholic.  However, many of the people combine their indigenous beliefs with their Catholic beliefs. 
     The majority of poorer families in Peru that live in the highlands eat potatoes, bean, corn, squash and soups made of barley or wheat. The wealthier families each a varied diet of meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and grain products.  Meals are seasoned with onions and hot peppers. Most of their meals are accompanied with rice, potatoes and bread.
     In Peru, music and dancing is very popular.  Indigenous musicians play traditional music on drums, flutes, rattles, and a kind of small harp.  The most popular sport in Peru is soccer, known there as futbol. There is a national soccer team that playsagainst teams from other countries.   Other sports include basketball, volleyball and even bullfights.
    It is believed that Machu Picchu, an Incan archaelogical site in the Andes mountains of Peru, once served  as a royal estate.  Its importance was recognized in 1911 and now serves Peru’s chief tourist attraction. 
......................It was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007!

Click on your tour guide below to learn more about Machu Picchu.