FACTS ABOUT PERU
Peru is home to over 4,000 varieties of potatoes. The potato was first domesticated in the Andean highlands of Peru around 10,000 years ago, and Peruvians celebrate a national "Potato Day" on May 30th.
Peru is home to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient Incan city, built in the 15th century, sits high in the Andes Mountains at about 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level and was unknown to the outside world until its rediscovery in 1911.
Peru has the second-largest portion of the Amazon Rainforest after Brazil. In fact, over 60% of Peru is covered by lush rainforest, making it one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. It’s home to thousands of species of plants, birds, mammals, and insects, many found nowhere else in the world.
Peru is considered one of the world’s top culinary destinations, and its capital, Lima, is often called the gastronomic capital of South America. One of the most famous dishes is ceviche, fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, often served with red onion, chili, and sweet potato. It's so important that Peru even has a National Ceviche Day on June 28th!
The Inti Raymi festival is one of the most important traditional celebrations in Peru. It’s a reenactment of an ancient Incan ceremony honoring Inti, the Sun God. Held every June 24th in Cusco (the former Inca capital), the festival includes colorful parades, traditional music, elaborate costumes, and rituals performed in Quechua, the language of the Incas.
The Nazca Lines, located in southern Peru, are enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor—some over 1,000 feet long! Created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE, these mysterious designs include animals, plants, and geometric shapes. The purpose of the lines is still debated, but theories include astronomical calendars, religious rituals, or even alien involvement (a favorite among conspiracy theorists!).
Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, and became the most important city in South America during the Spanish colonial period. It was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, which controlled nearly all of Spanish South America!
The Olive Grove Park (Parque El Olivar) is over 450 years old and is home to more than 1,600 olive trees—many of which were planted in the 16th century after being brought from Spain in 1560. It’s one of the oldest green spaces in Lima and a peaceful oasis right in the city’s business district.
Sacsayhuamán is an ancient Inca fortress overlooking Cusco, famous for its massive stone walls—some blocks weigh over 100 tons and were fitted together so precisely without mortar that they have withstood earthquakes for centuries. It was built in the 15th century under Emperor Pachacuti and is believed to have been both a military stronghold and a ceremonial site.
Peru has the highest sand dune in the world, the Cerro Blanco Dune near Nazca, which rises about 1,176 meters (3,860 ft) from base to summit. It’s a hotspot for adventurous travelers who love sandboarding and breathtaking desert views.
The Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru is home to the Humboldt Current (also called the Peru Current), one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems. It brings cold, nutrient rich waters up from the deep ocean, supporting massive schools of anchovies and making Peru one of the largest fish-producing countries in the world.
Peru is home to some of the longest surfable waves in the world. In Chicama, the waves can stretch for more than 2 kilometers, allowing surfers to ride for up to 2–3 minutes on a single wave. Something almost impossible anywhere else on Earth!
