Peru
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- South America
- Capital
- Lima
- Population
- 34.2 million (2024)
- Area
- 1,285,216 km²
- Languages
- Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (PEN)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +51
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Before you go
Overview
Peru stretches from the Pacific coast across the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. It was the heart of the Inca Empire.
History
The Inca Empire was centred on Cusco until the Spanish conquest in 1532. Peru declared independence in 1821.
Food & culture
Ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina and the pisco sour have made Peru one of the world's great food destinations.
Wildlife
The Amazon around Manú and Tambopata has macaws, giant otters and jaguars, and Andean condors fly over the Colca Canyon.
Festivals & events
Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June and the Virgen de la Candelaria festival in Puno are the most famous.
Things to see
Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon and Rainbow Mountain.
Interesting facts
Peru has thousands of varieties of potato.
