Peru
Menu > Peru
|
Country Profile Photography History Geography Culture Interesting Facts See Also References |
Country Profile
Photography (*)
Cactus - Ollantaytambo |
Sunrise over the Inca City - Machu Picchu |
Guinea Pig Pair - Sacred Valley |
Mystical Ruins - Machu Picchu |
Brother and Sister on the Road - Sacred Valley |
Ancient Agriculture Terraces - Moray |
Green Bushes - Sacred Valley |
Street Lamp - Cusco |
Fog over the Inca City |
Lovers Looking over the Ocean - Lima |
Lizard at the Top - Machu Picchu |
Stop - Lima |
Tree Among the Ruins - Machu Picchu |
Entry Stairs - Ollantaytambo |
Child in the Plaza de Armas - Lima |
History
The territory of Peru is recognized as one of the oldest place in the world where there was indigenous development of civilization. Archaeological sites have been discovered which dated around 3200 B.C., belonging to the Norte Chico civilization.
In the 15 th century, the Incas formed the largest empire in Pre-Columbian America with an estimated population of 9 million. The empire, which expanded from southern Colombia to Chile and Argentina, and the capital was Cusco.
In 1532, Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Peruvian territory. Their leader, Francisco Pizzaro, defeated Inca Emperor Atahualpa and Spanish domination was imposed. Silver mining became the basic economic activity and the Incas were forced to work. During that time, the Inca population went down from 9 million to 600,000 in 1620 following infectious diseases, famine, war and exploitation.
Peru's independence was proclaimed in 1821 by José de San Mart í n and the country remained a royalist stronghold. During the mid-19 th century, Ram ó n Castilla took leadership of Peru and the country enjoyed a few years of stability.
In the war of the Pacific, which was fought between Chile and the joined forces of Peru and Bolivia from 1879 to 1884, Peru was defeated, losing the lands of Arica and Tarapac á .
The Great Depression that occurred in 1929 caused the downfall of the authoritarian regime of Augusto B. Lagu í a. There were many periods of political instabilities during the 20 th century, and in the 1980s Peru was facing a huge external dept, a growing inflation and a surge in drug trafficking. In 1990, Alberto Fujimori was elected president, and the economy started to recover. He was however forced to resign in the year 2000 after accusations of corruption and human rights violations.
Geography
Peru is the 20 th largest country in the world. It borders to Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country is divided in three geographic regions: the costa (coast) to the west which is a narrow plain, the sierra (highlands) that comprises the Andes, and the selva (jungle) to the east which is an expand of the Amazon rainforest.
Mount Huascar á n, which is located in the Western Andes, is the highest peak in Peru at 6,768 meters. It is also the fourth highest mountain in South America.
Peru's climate ranges from the dryness of the coast, to intense cold on mountain peaks, and the heavy rainfall of the Amazon forest.
Among the natural resources, Peru produces copper, silver, gold, oil, iron, coal and phosphates. Fishing also constitutes an important natural resource.
Peru's high biodiversity contains over 21,000 species of plants and animals. Several areas in the country are protected by the Government to preserve those species.
Culture
Peru forms a multiethnic society with an extensive diversity of culture in arts, cuisine, literature and music. Most Peruvians speak Spanish, which coexists with other indigenous languages, with the most important one being Quechua. Most of the population consider themselves as Catholics.
Artistic traditions cover several millennia. Pre-Inca societies elaborated pottery, textiles, jewellery and sculpture. The Incas made remarkable feats in architecture, as it can be observed in the lost city of Machu Picchu.
After the Spanish take-over, most artistic creations were dedicated towards Christian subjects as can be seen in the paintings in the many churches built during that time.
Peruvian literature can be traced back to the oral traditions of the Incas. Writing was introduced by the Spanish in the 16 th century. Literature then became more widely known thanks to well-liked authors such as Mario Vargas Llosa, who is Latin America's leading novelist.
Peruvian music is very diverse, with Andean, Spanish and African roots. Traditional Andean expressions have been influenced by urbanization in the latest decades.
Interesting Facts
- A series of major river systems in Peru flow directly into the Amazon River.
- Peru is one of South America's biggest cultivators of coca, the raw material of cocaine.
- Lake Titicaca, which is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, is located at 3,812 meters above sea level.
See Also
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
References
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).
BBC News - Country Profile: Peru (news.bbc.co.uk).
Peru facts on National Geographic (www3.nationalgeographic.com).
World Flag Database (www.flags.net).
 |
* All photographs have been taken by Dr Anto Youssef. For specific informations about a picture, please write to: anto.y@studiodentaire.com. |