General Information : Peru, the largest in area in the Andean countries... more
History : For at least 300 years before the arrival of the first... more
Geography : Three main natural regions are distinguishable... more
Population : It's population of 26'749,000 in habitants... more
Economy : Mining, agriculture, industry, and fisheries are... more
Art culinary : Peruvian cuisine is one of the best in South America... more
People & Culture : Peru boasts one of the largest varieties of arts and... more
Climate : Generally speaking, the climate varies from region to... more
Holidays : New Year Day, Labor Day, Inti Raymi, St.Peter and St. Paul... more
Map of Perú : In Perú, the nature has brought together an enormous... more
GENERAL INFORMATION
Peru, the largest in area in the Andean countries, was the
cradle of the most advanced indigenous civilizations and most
powerful empire in pre-Columbian South America-that of the
Incas. Peru was also the focus of Spanish colonial domination
for its first two hundred years of rule. What remained of
pre-Columbian America with regard to people, culture, and
settlements is perhaps better represented in Peru than in any
other country. The country has a 2,400 kilometer (1,500 miles)
long coast on the Pacific Ocean and borders Colombia and
Ecuador in the north, Brazil and Bolivia on the east, and
Chile on the south. It is the only country that borders all
the other Andean states.
Area
1,285,216 sq. km
(496,225 sq. mi.)
Capital City
Lima
Gross National Product per capita
$ 1,470
(1987 estimate)
Currency unit
Nuevo Sol
Population
26'749,000
(1990 estimate)
Density
40.7 persons/sq. mi.
(1986 estimate)
Urban-rural population
70.2 % urban, 29.8% rural
Nartural increase
2.5%
(1985-1990)
Illiteracy rate
15.2%
(1985 estimate)
Highest point
22,205 ft
(Huascaran)
Main cities
Arequipa, Trujillo, Chicalyo, Cusco
National Holiday
Independence Day, 28-29 July
HISTORY
For at least 300 years before the arrival of the first Europeans
(Spaniards), most of the Peru (excluding the eastern lowlands) was
the heart of the Inca empire that extended from present-day Ecuador
to central Chile. The area from wich the empire developed was
centered in the basins and valleys of Cuzco. The Incas conquered the
Andean people and fostered among the most advanced of ancient
American civilizations. The incas themselves developed a
civilization and administration that in many respects was of a high
order, although different in basic concepts from the civilizations
that prevailed in the "Old World".
The Inca Empire ended with the conquest of its heartland and
Capital Cuzco (1531-1533) by the Spaniards under Francisco Pizarro.
Lima was founded in 1535 and became the focal point of Spanish
expansion and domination of estern South America. It soon became
the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, which until the
mid-eighteenth century, extended from the Caribbean to La Plata
(Argentina). During the seventeenth century Peru was the second most
important producer of silver (for 20 years it was the largest
producer). Indians who attempt to rebel or to evade exploitation and
forced labor were executed.
The establishment of the viceroyalties of New Granada (1739) in
the north and La Plata (1776) in the south greatly reduced the
extent and power of the colonial administration centered in Lima.
Peru declared its independence in 1821, following an uprising by
local European (Creole) inhabitants against the Spanish colonial
rule, which came to an end only in late 1824. A long period of
instability followed, during which the country was governed by a
sucession of generals. A short confederation with Bolivia
(1836-1839) was broken by rebellion.
Peru went to war with Spain (1864-1871); during the fighting
Callao (Lima's main port) was damaged by heavy bombardment from the
sea. In 1879 Peru, together with Bolivia, fought a four-year war
with Chile over posession of the nitrate-rich northern part of the
Atacama desert. The defeat of the Peruavian army led to the
occupation of Lima by the Chilean army and to loss of territory. The
border dispute with Chile was settled only in 1929.
In the late nineteenth century, construction of railway
connecting the mining centers of the highlands with the coast,
coupled with large foreign capital investments, brought extensive
development to Peru. With economic development came a power struggle
between the conservative Creole upper class and the liberal elements
pressing for social and economic changes. During the first half of
the twentieth century, Peru had eighteen presidents (five were
deposed and four resigned), many of whom assumed dictatorial powers.
A boundary dispute with Colombia was settled in 1932 by the
withdrawal of Peru from a large area in the Amazon plain. A boundary
dispute with Ecuador was settled after a short war in favor of Peru
(1942), but the dispute was revived in 1981.
A liberal president (Fernando Belaunde), elected in 1963,
introduced reforms to improve the social and economic conditions of
peasants and workers; these brought about some fundamental changes
in the position of the masses. The main reforms, however, were
instituted by the head of a junta, General Juan Velasco, who deposed
Belaunde in 1968. Alvarado initiated a far-reaching program of
agrarian reform and nationalized the major mining companies,
industries, railways, banks, and other vital public services. He was
deposed after seven years in power by a member of the same junta,
General Francisco Bermudez, who restored free democratic elections
in 1980. Since then, three presidents have been elected and finished
their five-years terms of goverment.
GEOGRAPHY
Three main natural regions are distinguishable: the coastal zone
(Costa); the hoghlands (Andes or Sierra); and the eastern hills and
lowlands (Selva).
Coastal Zone
The Costa is an arid, mistly hilly region between the Pacific
shore, much of which is bordered by high cliffs, and the Andes
farther east. In the north, it is characterized by a low, extremly
faulted plateau, a substantial part of which is an almost flat,
arable land where water for irrigation is available. Because of the
nature of the terrain and its aridity, settlement is almost enterely
confined to river valleys and small sections of the coast, mostly
near the mouths of rivers.
A narrow coastal mountain range rises steeply just behind the
Pacific shore in the southern part of the Peruavian coastal zone.
It
is composed mainly of a very rugged surface, much of which is
covered by bare hard rocks with deeply incised narrow gorges.
Troughlike basins running parallel to this range separate it from
the Andes. These flat-bottomed basins are covered with a thick
mantle of sediment in which rivers have cut deep valleys.
Agricultural settlements that irrigate and cultivate small areas of
these valleys are actually oases in this desertlike environment.
Unlike other parts of the coastal belt, most of the population in
the south resides along its eastern margins, away from the coast and
close to the foot of the Andes.
Highlands: the Andes
The highlands in Peru are generally considered to consist of two
parallel ranges, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera
Oriental, extending in a northwest to southeast direction. Valleys
and basins, which follow the same direction and in the south broaden
into the Altiplano (with lake Titicaca and a few smaller lakes), are
generally cited as the structural features that separate the western
range from the eastern one. Both the western range and eastern
ranges, with peaks rising over 20,000 feet are not continous, which
are in most cases arranged in echelon. The high peaks and slopes are
permanently snow-covered, with some remnants of glaciers. Volcanoes,
active and dormant, are confined mainly to the southern part of the
highlands.
The basins and valleys wedged high between the Peruvian Andes are
intermont high level surface over which, historically, the majority
of Peru's population has been concentrated. Most of them, which lie
at altitudes between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, are broad and covered
with a mantle of sediment washed down from the neighboring
mountains. They are crossed by rivers whose sources are in the
Cordillera Occidental or in the basins themselves and which are, in
fact, the tributary headwaters of the Amazon river.
The Altiplano of the southern Peruvian Andes (which extends into
Bolivia) is made up of some basins and valleys of the high level
surface, including Peru's share in Lake Titicaca, with its densely
inhabited environs. Only the lower basins and valleys of the high
level surface are climatically within the zone suitable for
agriculture. The altitude of most of this surface is outside the
limit of cultivation or is marginal for some crops, such as
potatoes, barley and corn. Much of the high level surface is used
mainly as pasture for sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas.
Eastern lowlands
The eastern lowlands are generally divided in the selva alta,,
the higher hilly areas at the foot of the Andes, and the selva baja,
the lower areas farther east (espacially in the northeast) that
slope toward the bounderies of Colombia and Brazil. The selva alta
is dominated by low, gently sloping eastern spurs of the Andes
(1,200-3,000 feet) with broad valleys that have potentially arable
land. There is a gradual transition to the selva baja, a much lower
undulating plain where the relief is dominated by a dense network of
rivers and river terraces. It slopes gently northeastward from
aproximately 1,200 feet to 300-400 feet. The eastern lowlands are
covered with dense tropical rain forest. Over large areas the forest
is so dense that access is possible only via the rivers. The eastern
lowlands of Peru are, in fact, part of the western margin of the
huge Amazon plain.
POPULATION
It's population of 26'749,000 in habitants (National Geographic
Atlas of the World 2002) is divided into 72% urban living and 28%
rural. The indigenous population was joined 500 years ago by
Spaniards and later enriched by migration of African blacks, Asians
and Europeans.
The Peruvian man emerged as the representative of a nation whose
rich ethnic mix is one of its leading characteristics. Eighty
percent of the population speaks Spanish; others speak Quechua,
Aymara and various dialects of the Amazon Jungle. We are taught as
early as kindergarten that the country is divided in 3 natural
regions: the coast, highlands and the jungle.
ECONOMY
Mining, agriculture, industry, and fisheries are the main
components of the Peruvian economy. While the development of mining
and industry over the past three decades has been very substantial,
that of agriculture, especially for the domestic market, has been
slow.
The GNP per capita was $ 1,470 in 1987 and has grown in recent
years at an average annual rate of approximately 8 percent. The
unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in the same year. Underemployment,
however, is very widespread and, in the mid-1950s was estimated to
affect 51 percent of the workers.
ART CULINARY
Peruvian cuisine is one of the best in South America and it's known not only for its exquisite taste, but also for its variety and ability to incorporate the influence from different times and cultures. The Peruvian cuisine is an important expression of its own culture just as its ceramics, textiles, music and literature. Thanks to Peru's three regions and ocean there are an abundance of markets that can offer a variety of fresh ingredients that satisfy not only the housewife but also the most sophisticated chef.
The culinary history of the Peruvian food dates back to the Incas and pre-Incas with its maize, potatoes and spices that later was influenced by the arrival of the Spanish colonies, and throughout the years it incorporated the demands of the different migrations and "mestizajes". Such groups included Chinese, European, African and Japanese immigrants.
In the Incas Chronicles, Garcilazo Inca de la Vega narrates the foods of the ancient Peruvians and their rituals. Garcilazo describes the Incas meals as being in abundance because it was served not only to the Inca but also to his extended families, guests and large number of servants. The most important meal of the day, not only for the Incas but also for all the ordinary people, was served in the morning between 8 and 9 and the only other meal was served at dusk. It's known that the Inca had a group of chefs assigned to him but the concubines where the ones that cooked for him. It is also known that drinks where never mixed during the meals they where normally taken afterwards.
One of the most important ingredients during Pre-Hispanic times was maize and it was prepared toasted or simply boiled in water and on special occasions it was prepared into bread and "humitas" (tamales). Another basic ingredient of these cultures was the potato and it was cooked or roasted and used in stews. Also used were squash, a variety of beans, "oca" and yams. The meats that these ancient Peruvians ate were "huanaco", "pacollama", deer, roe deer and male fallow deer, also a variety of birds called "nunuma" that were very similar to the Spanish goose. Among the most known fruits the Incas grew were bananas, avocados, papayas, plums and giant pineapple (twice the size of the ones known by the Spaniards). The most important seasoning used to prepare the meals was what today is known as "aji" and it used to be called "uchu" by the Incas or "pepper from the Indies" by the Spaniards. Aji even today is one of the most important ingredients used in the Peruvian kitchen.
Another important component to pre-Hispanic Peruvian cuisine is the seafood and the foods from the coastal region. Fishing was an important source of food before the conquest. Around a third of the coastal population was dedicated to fishing and this was all possible thanks to the variety of fish characteristic of the Peruvian ocean. Also important sources of food in the coastal region were the llama, Alpaca, guanaco, duck and in certain areas dog (even though the Incas would never eat dogs). The guinea pig was mainly consumed by the ordinary people and its skin was set to dry and later chopped and called then "charqui". This "charqui" was used to prepare soups and stews.
...There are several things to do when you travel to Peru-visit the archaeological sites, historical monuments, and travel through the different regions, but something special that Peru has to offer is its magnificent food...
PEOPLE & CULTURE
FOLKLORE
Peru boasts one of the largest varieties of arts and crafts on
Earth, as can be seen from the growing network of exporters who each
year exhibit the skill of Peruvian craftsmen in Europe, Asia and
North America. The diversity, color, creativity and multiple
functions of Peru's folk art has made it a fundamental activity not
just for Peru's cultural identity, but also as a way of life for
thousands of families and even entire communities, such as Sarhua
and Quinua in Ayacucho.
Works of art, both big and small, spark admiration amongst
Peruvians and foreigners alike, are steeped in centuries of history,
imbued with pre-Hispanic shapes and symbols which have merged with
others brought over by the Spaniards.
Peru has forged a multiple and
complex identity which is paradoxically one of the reasons why
Peruvian arts and crafts are tending to shift towards naïf art,
lending their works a touch of innocence.
The excellence of Peruvian artisans can be seen in the harmony of
the geometric designs in weavings, the minute portraits of peasant
farming life on the carved gourds called mates burilados, the
cultural mestizaje or blend in the colorful retablo boxed scenes.
There are also the finely carved Huamanga stone sculptures, the
complex Baroque nature of the wooden carvings, the beauty of gold
and silver relics and the many forms that pottery has shaped the
clay into pottery.
These works are just some of the cultural manifestations of a
people who communicate mainly through art, using a language whose
fundamental aspects are abundance, fertility and confidence in the
future.
TRADITIONAL DRESS
In Peru's rural areas, the way people dress makes an important
distinction, as a result of the blend of pre-Hispanic influences
with the European clothing that the natives were forced to wear
during the colonial era. The traditional Inca anacu was transformed
by the local women into the brightly-colored and multi-layered
petticoats known as polleras. Depending on the region, a black skirt
is decorated with a belt which can come in a variety of colors and
is decorated with flowers in the northern Piura highlands or a
brightly-hued woolen lliclla in Chiclayo, further south
In the highlands above Lima, the skirt is decorated with red and
black embroidered edging, while in Junín, as in Cajamarca and Cuzco,
women no longer use black skirts. Underneath their skirts, the women
use layers of petticoats made from cotton which can be embroidered
with gold and silver threads, featuring superbly-crafted drawings
along the edge.
The Peruvian poncho dates back to the seventeenth century and
apparently is a variation on the unku used by men at the time. The
heavy ponchos used in Cajamarca keep out the rain and are as long as
those used in Puno, where they are died scarlet during festivals. In
Cuzco, ponchos are short and feature elaborate geometric figures
against a red background.
On the coast, ponchos were used by the plantation workers, and
they were spun from cotton or vicuña fiber. In the jungle, both men
and women from some tribes wear the cushma, a loose tunic stitched
up on both sides and embellished with dyes and geometric figures
typical of the region.
CLIMATE
Generally speaking, the climate varies from region to region in
Peru.
In the Coast, the weather varies, with a damp and cloudy winter
that runs from June to September.
Average temperatures come in at 14°C. During the summer,
temperatures can peak at 28°C or over.
In the Highlands, the sun shines all year round during the
morning, but temperatures descend at night, averaging 5°C.
The climate in the Amazon jungle is tropical all year round.
In
both regions, the rain season runs from December through April.
Lima is a city that features a moderate climate, ranging from a
light drizzle in winter to a warm summer.
Average temperature in summertime -from mid-December to mid-March
is 25 / 28°C. Winter, which usually features overcast skies and high
humidity, has temperatures ranging from 10 to 16°C.
HOLIDAYS
New Year day
January 1
Labor day
May 1
Inti Raymi
June 24, (Cusco only)
St. Peter and St.
Paul
June 29
Independence day
July 28 and July 29
Santa Rosa's day
August 30
Battle of Angamos
October 8
All Saints
November 1
Immaculate
Conception
December 8
Christmas day
December 25 Festivals
MAP OF PERU
In Perú, the nature has brought together an enormous variety of
landscapes, climates and ecosystems, that range from coastal deserts
to Amazonian exuberance, and include the diversity of micro-climates
of the different floors and valleys of the Andes mountains. In this
mix of landscapes, there is a combination of races and cultural
contributions which is manifested in a diversity of expressions such
as a culinary art of exceptional variety.
