Interesting Facts About Peru, South America

Peru is a South American country, situated on the Pacific coast. It lies just south of the Equator and spreads over an area of 1,285,216 square kilometers. The country stands bordered by Ecuador and Colombia in the north, by Brazil in the east, by Bolivia in the southeast, by Chile in the south and by the Pacific Ocean in the west. Peru is rich in natural beauty and this is what attracts people to its confines, every year. Its rich and varied geography ranges from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes Mountains to the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. In case you want to know more about Peru, make use of the information given below.

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Fun & Interesting Facts about Peru

The official name of Peru is ‘Republic of Peru’.
The official language of Peru is Spanish. However, Quechua and Aymara are also spoken there.
Majority of the people in Peru are Roman Catholics.
The main ethnic groups in Peru include Amerindian, Mestizo, Whites, Blacks, Japanese and Chinese.
The currency of Peru is Nuevo Sol.
The capital of Peru is Lima.
Peru follows the system of ‘Constitutional Republic’.
Peru declared independence from Spain on 28^th July 1821. However, it gained recognition only on 9^th December 1824.
Peruvian territory served as the home of Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
Peru was also a part of the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America.
The highest point in Peru is formed by Nevado Huascaran, at 6,768 meters.
Lake Titicaca, which Peru shares with Bolivia, holds the distinction of being the largest lake in South America, along with being the highest navigable lake in the world.
The cave at Pikimachay, Andes Valley, near Ayacucho, was found to have evidences of early human habitation.
Caral is believed to have been built between 2627 BC and 2000 BC, making it the oldest city in the Americas as well as one of the oldest cities in the world.
In 1989, Royal Moche tombs were discovered at Sipan, on the northern coast of Peru.
Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
"Mestizos" is the term used in context of people who are of mixed, native Indian and Spanish descent.
Peru was the last Spanish colony in South America to gain independence.
Alejandro Toledo, elected in July 2001, was the first President in Peru, of native Indian origin.
In 2003, Beatriz Merino became the first female Prime Minister of Peru.
Peru is one of the top producers of silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the world.
Petroleum industry of Peru is one of the oldest in the world, while its fisheries are among the richest in the world.
Andean highlands are spread over about a third of the country and are mostly inhabited by Quechua-speaking Indians.
Peru is the 19^th largest country in the world.
Mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing and food processing form the major industries in Peru

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