20 Interesting Facts About Peru

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20 Interesting Facts about Peru

Peru is a multi-climate country in South America having different types of landscapes that cause dynamic climatic changes throughout the year. The country is among the largest nations in South America, being smaller than two countries; Brazil and Argentina. While in Peru, one can experience the extremes of climatic changes from the coldest seasons to some of the hottest deserts in the world. There are mountains, rainforests, beaches along the Pacific Ocean, and a desert. According to the recent statistic, Peru has a population of over 30 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in South America. The different climates in the country attract people from different parts of the world. Most people in the country speak Spanish as their first language has adopted the language from ancient days. However, there are other languages spoken in the country, such as Aymara among other indigenous languages.

Below are 20 interesting facts about Peru:

1. Peru was one of the Earliest Spanish Colonies in 1572

The Congress of Peru. Photo by Genu5960. Wikimedia Commons

Peru was previously known as the Viceroyalty of Peru before the Spanish invaded and colonized the South American nation for the rich raw materials. The country had plenty of raw materials that would be ferried to Europe to make finished products and sell to the rest of the world. There was a lot of gold and agricultural products such as different types of potatoes that the Spanish grabbed and used for their benefit.

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2. Inca Empire in Peru was one of the most Powerful in History 

The Inca Empire began taking root in the 13^th century stretching from Chile to Colombia and Peru. The people had one language, the Quechua, and had formidable leadership and rules that governed them. They formulated the empire through peaceful means, including assimilation, and peaceful takeovers from other tribes. They had an emperor, build excellent ancient cities, and had unique laws that governed the people. The empire was strong because of the leadership and laws of the land.

3. Peru Boasts at least 43 Native Languages Spoken across the Country

Although Spanish is the officially recognized language in the country alongside Aymara and Quechua, there are several other indigenous languages spoken by the locals. The Peruvians have diversified their languages to at least 43 native languages which is the highest number of languages spoken in one country. Some other local languages spoken in Peru include Aymara, Quechua, Ashaninka, and Agurauna among other indigenous languages. However, Spanish is the most popular in the country being spoken by more than 80 percent of the total population.

4. The World’s Longest River, the Amazon River has its Source in Peru 

Amazon River, near Indiana, Peru. Photo by Jason Hollinger. Wikimedia Commons

According to global statistics, river amazon is the longest river in the world having traveled for more than 6000 kilometers. The most fascinating thing about this long river is that it has its source in the Peruvian Andres. Ordinarily, people would expect the longest river in the world to have one of the largest sources of water such as an ocean or a sea. The Amazon River tells a different story as it emerges from Peru and ends in the Atlantic Ocean.

5. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, is a Common Place for The People of Peru

Peru is home to one of the most famous natural landmarks in the world, Machu Picchu. This landmark was voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 because it is one of the most visited places in the world by global tourists. The landmark is elevated more than two thousand meters above sea level and is one of the oldest monuments in the world having been discovered in the 15^th century.

6. There are Pink Dolphins in the Amazon River that will Coerce you to Swim in the River

There are so many fascinating things in the world but you will not see a pink dolphin everywhere until you visit Peru. A tour of the basin of the Amazon River in Peru will give you one of the best memories of your entire life. You will swim with pink dolphins in the river, something that you will never experience in any other place in the world. These pink dolphins go through different phases in life, beginning with gray in color when they are born and slowly turning to different types of pink. Swimming with these sea creatures gives you the best experience in the country.

7. Peru has the Largest Rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest

Photo by Adam Śmigielski on Unsplash

If you are looking for a tourist attraction place where you will have every experience in one place, you need to visit the Peruvian amazon rainforest. Here you will see almost every type of tree species, animal species, reptile, butterfly, and even different types of fish. The rainforest takes up more than 60 percent of the country’s surface making it the biggest tourist attraction in the nation. Different species of plants and animals attract many people including scientists to do research.

8. Meet the World’s Biggest Flying Bird Alive in Peru, the Andean Condor

When talking about the biggest bird in the world, many people will talk about the ostrich. Did you know that an ostrich is not the biggest flying bird in the world? The Andean condor broke the global record of being the largest flying bird, standing almost a meter and a half tall. The bird also weighs more than fifteen kilograms, with the wings stretching to more than three meters in length. The birds’ huge size makes them heavy and thus they prefer living in places with a lot of wind such as Peru’s canyon.

9. Guinea Pigs are not just for Laboratory Tests or Pets But they are Food in Peru

There are so many species of plants and animals, including the guinea pigs in Peru. However, while guinea pigs are considered for other purposes in Europe, the United States of America, Asia, and other parts of the world, they are a local delicacy in Peru. While in Peru, visit a local restaurant and you will be served a delicious cuy, which is a local name for guinea pig in Peru. They serve the guinea pig complete with legs, head, and eyes in their original places with local drinks. The meal will make you remember Peru for the rest of your life, remembering that guinea pigs are considered inedible in other places,

10. Peruvians still use Traditional Methods to Mine Salt in the Local Mediterranean Streams

Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash

Despite the advancement in technology and the growth of modern technology in the world, some places in the world use traditional methods in mining and Peru is one of them. Local people in a small town in Peru called Maras have used the evaporation method for many salt mining. These people have subdivided the salt ponds and every family or community has a pond that has been inherited from their forefathers. Apart from producing their unique pink salt, the ponds have also become tourist attractions places where people visit to enjoy the view of the famous ponds and the pink salt.

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11. Peru’s White City is Constructed from Pure Stones collected from Volcanos and Mountain Bases

The city of Arequipa is a unique city that is in the middle of volcanic mountains making it look like a risky place to stay. However, after the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 19^th century, the place was rebuilt and reconstructed with materials from the surrounding environment. The city is referred to as White City because of the white material used in the construction. The architecture used volcanic materials called sillar from active volcanos. The materials were used to maintain the beauty of the place.

12. The Famous Islands in Peru, Uros Islands in Lake Titicaca are Made of Floating Grass

Uros Floating Islands. Photo by PsamatheM. Wikimedia Commons

Peru has several tourist attractions including the Uros Islands which are created in a way that no architecture would have imagined. The islands consist of grass, including the reeds that are collected from Lake Titicaca. The reeds are strong enough to create the foundation of the islands, connected with strong ropes. The ropes are tied to heavy logs that go deep to the floor of the lake. The islands are created by the locals whose major activities are weaving and fishing.

13. Three-Quarters of the Global 10 Million Alpaca Population is in Peru’s Rainforests

Alpacas are some of the world’s unique mammals, whose population is slightly above 10 million. These camel-like animals are also on the brink of being wiped out of the world with drought, hunger, and unauthorized pouching. However, the most fascinating thing about the alpacas is that three-quarters of the total population lives in Peru. Therefore, more than 7 million of the 10 million animals are found in Peru.

14. Peru has a Big Percentage of the World’s Freshwater 

Apart from the Amazon River, several other rivers in Peru contribute to four percent of freshwater in the country. These rivers and lakes originate from the Andes and empty into the Pacific Ocean, consisting of freshwater. There are also many mountain lakes in the country whose water is mainly free from impurities and salt. A combination of this freshwater river, lakes, Amazon Lake, and mountain lakes make up four percent of the global freshwater in Peru.

15. Peru is the Home to one of the World’s Deepest Canyons 

Cotahuasi Canyon. Photo by Joe. Wikimedia Commons

When talking about deep canyons in the world, we often think about the Grand Canyon. However, the Cotahuasi canyon in Peru is the deepest in the world, measuring more than twice the Grand Canyon. Cotahuasi is more than 11,000 feet deep making it the deepest canyon in the world. There is also the Colca canyon in Peru, which is also more than 10,000 feet deep, making it the second-deepest canyon in the world. Therefore Peru is a tourist attraction with some of the most fascinating and deepest canyons.

16. Visit One of Peru’s Deserts, the Sechura Desert, and see the World’s Highest Dunes in History

    The Cerro Blanco is the tallest dune in the world and is found in the Sechua desert in Peru. The dune stands over 3,600 feet tall which is higher than some of the tallest peaks in the world. The dune is a sporting center as it has become a sandboarding spot and a tourist attraction as well. The dunes take more than three hours in the hot desert to reach the top. Therefore Peru hosts the world’s tallest dunes in history.

17. Surfing Originated in Peru as the Ancient Peruvians Used to Surf

Photo by Sebastian Staines on Unsplash

Surfing seems like a modern sport that started in Hawaii or from some of the first-world countries that embraced modernization before small nations like Peru. On the contrary, Peru has recorded that the ancient Peruvians used to surf as early as 100 AD. Peru is still an excellent surfing spot, having the spot in existence from ancient days to date. There are international surfing competitions held in the country, embracing the spot that has been in existence for centuries.

18. There are Many Nazca Lines in Peru Depicting the Existence of Giant Animals and Humans

Huge drawings in the Nazca desert in Peru, known as geoglyphs depict the existence of huge animals and humans in the country. The drawings are believed to have been made between 500 BC and 500 ad, and they show a variety of complicated animals and people. The drawings were so big that people thought they were roads when first discovered in the 15^th century. More studies and a closer look revealed that these were animal markings. These drawings still exist to date attracting people from across the world.

19. The Third Largest City in America, Lima is Found in Peru 

Lima, Perú. Photo by Federico. Wikimedia Commons

If you thought the largest city in the world is in the United States of America you are wrong. One of the largest cities in the whole of the Americas is found in Peru. Lima sits on more than 800 square kilometers making it the third largest city after Sao Paulo in Brazil and Mexico City. There are also among the cities that were first discovered making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Lima was discovered in the 15^th century, built, and made the biggest agriculture center. The city was destroyed in 1940 by the earthquake but was rebuilt again. Today, it is the largest urban center in Peru and among the largest in the world.

20. The Ancient People of Peru used to Communicate with Knots 

Before reading and writing were introduced in Peru y the Spanish colonizers, the Peruvians used to communicate using knots. They used knots in every sector, in the military organization, in recording data, and even telling stories of different cultures. They tied knots with a coded language called quipu. The activity continued until the country was finally colonized by the Spanish who came with education.

Peru is a second-world country and the third-largest nation in the whole of South America. The country boasts a rich culture and natural habitats. There are several tourist attractions in the country than in any other place in the world making it an excellent destination any time of the year. While in Peru, you will see different animals that you would not see in any other place in the world. Therefore this is a unique country that has almost everything that a tourist might want to visit.