Various countries in South America have contributed to the long growth of culture and civilization in this hemisphere. Peru is home to some of the oldest civilizations and contains archeological proof of human activity many thousands of years ago. Peruvian history took a turn when the Spanish and Portuguese explorers entered South America. Many of the native groups fought hard for their land, but could not rival the modern European technology. While many of the native groups were defeated in Peru, the history and culture of the land did not disappear.
In the modern-day, Peruvians still pay respect to the native culture and their ancestors. There are mixed influences of native and European cultures in this country. The natural beauty and native wildlife in this country brings many tourists. Along with the wonderful views, travelers get to experience some of the most ancient societies in the Americas.
Peru Facts
1. The Peruvian Government Recognizes Three Official Languages
Many of the indigenous peoples in Peru have regional dialects that root back many centuries. Because of this, many Peruvians speak a multitude of languages. The presence of Spanish colonies in Peru in modern history has contributed to Spanish becoming the most spoken language in this country. However, blends of Spanish and native Peruvian tongue have developed over many centuries, making two other native dialects recognized as official languages. Commonly, Peruvians can speak and understand all three official languages, where some regional dialects may be more difficult to comprehend. Modern Peru relies heavily on Spanish, as it is the official language of many of its neighboring countries.
2. Find One of the Healthiest Fruits in This Country
The warmer climate of Peru is home to many native plant species. The plants found in Peru offer a variety of benefits for food or medicine if used correctly. One of the native fruits to this country is the Camu-Camu fruit that is considered one of the best fruits to eat to improve your health, a fun Peru fact. Filled with Vitamin C, the Camu-Camu fruit can help your immune system grow stronger. Oranges have always been considered the best fruit to eat for a natural source of Vitamin C, but the Camu-Camu fruit is unrivaled in its health benefits.
3. Watch Out for the World’s Largest Bird
Along with the massive variety of native plant life in Peru, there is also an abundance of wildlife. Birds are some of the most common animals found in Peru. There are hundreds of native species to this country and thousands more that migrate to enjoy the warmer weather. An interesting fact about Peru is that many birds become prey to largest, and possibly scariest bird, the Giant Andean Condor, which is common in this country. This predator hunts smaller birds and also preys on farmer’s livestock. The condor weighs over 10 kilograms and has a wingspan of about four and a half meters.
4. Peru is Home to One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
One of the main reasons that people travel to Peru is to climb some of Peru’s tallest mountains to experience the lost city of Machu Picchu. This ancient city was the capital of a historic Incan empire. The stones that were used to build the city were said to have been carried by laborers up the mountain. At this time, there was no technology available to move the huge stones, which weighed 23 kilograms or more. The city was dated being built in the 15th century, before the arrival of Spanish colonizers in Peru. The beautiful scenery around Machu Picchu and the amazing history of human civilization makes this site one of the most sacred in the entire world.
5. Were There Aliens in Peru?
Throughout many years, people have formed theories that the ancient Incan and Mayan civilizations native to South America and Central America had once been in contact with Aliens. Due to advanced technologies and mysterious systems of writing and calendar tracking, the theories suggest that the people were very advanced for their time. Did the native people receive some help from extraterrestrial beings to influence their advancement in technology? Probably not, but many of the Incan traditional sites in Peru are very indicative of the Inca’s ability to utilize systems of writing and technology.
The wide-open space in a desert plateau in Peru is the site that contains the Nazca Lines. These lines are a variety of drawings and shapes of large scales that were created hundreds of years ago by the Incas. There are theories that the Incan’s used these lines to communicate with alien lifeforms, but more scientific research states they used these symbols to mark time with an astronomical calendar.
6. The World’s Longest River Begins Here
The famous Amazon River, that flows through multiple South American Countries, begins in Peru. An interesting fact about Peru is that the beginning of the river is located high up in the Peruvian section of the Andes Mountains and flows a total of 6,400 kilometers through South America. The Amazon River is known to change in depth based on the season. From the rainy to the dry season, the river can shift over 9 meters in depth.
The world-famous Amazon rainforest lies along the Amazon river. This rainforest is home to uncountable species of plants and animals. The rainforest has become a fascinating place for researchers, but the proper precautions need to be taken in the rainforest because many deadly predators call this home. The Amazon Rainforest covers nearly two-thirds of Peru’s land.
7. Peru is a leading Country in Gold Production
The resource-rich lands of Peru are home to a variety of precious metals. One of the most abundant is gold. The Peruvian government oversees a large scale operation of gold production that supplies the entire world. Gold is a valuable resource used to maintain values of world currency, and Peru’s multi-trillion-dollar yearly production helps keep world currencies stable, an interesting Peru fact. While this may seem like a lot of money for gold production, Peru is ranked sixth in the World’s gold sourcing.
I hope that this article on Peru facts was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Country Facts Page!
