PERU, Republic of Peru, state in the west South America. The area of ​​Peru is 1285.2 thousand sq. km. The population of Peru is 25.6 million people (2000), about half are Quechua and Aymara Indians, the rest are Spanish-speaking Peruvians. The official language of Peru is Spanish and Quechua. The believers are mostly Catholics.

Administrative-territorial division of Peru: 25 departments. The capital of Peru is Lima. The head of state is the president. The legislative body of Peru is the Democratic Constituent Congress.

In the west of Peru, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, there is a narrow strip of desert coastal plains (Costa). To the east - the mountain belt of the Andes (Sierra), up to 6768 m high (Huascaran). To the east is Amazonian lowland. (Selva), passing in the south into the foothill plain (Montagna).

The average monthly temperatures on the coast of Peru are 15-25 °С, in the Andes, on the plateaus from 5 to 16 °С, on the plains 24-27 °С. Precipitation from 700 to 3000 mm per year. On the western slopes of the Andes - rare shrubs, cacti; on the internal plateaus, in the north and east - high-mountain tropical steppes, in the southeast - semi-deserts. On the eastern slopes of the Andes and on the plains of the Selva there are moist evergreen forests. Of the rivers, the largest is the Amazon, of the lakes, the Titicaca. National parks Manu, Cerros de Amotane and others; several reserves.

In ancient times, the territory of Peru was inhabited by Indians. The Incas founded the state of Tahuantinsuyu in Peru. In the 16th century The Spaniards conquered the territory of Peru and created the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1821, during the War of Independence of the Spanish colonies in America (1810-1826), Peru became an independent state. Slavery was abolished in 1854. All R. 19th century began the penetration of foreign capital, mainly English and American. As a result of the Pacific Wars of 1864-1866 and 1879-1883, the country lost part of the territory rich in saltpeter deposits.

In 1968 - ser. 1980 military governments were in power. President A. Fujimori, elected in 1990, adopted a new constitution in 1993.

Peru is an agricultural country with a developed mining and developing manufacturing industry. Share in GDP (1994,%): mining 8, manufacturing 22, agriculture and forestry 14. Main cash crops: cotton (mainly long-staple), sugar cane, coffee, cocoa. Pasture animal husbandry. Cattle, pigs, sheep, llamas, alpacas are bred. Logging. Fish catch 11.6 million metric t (1994), mainly sardines, anchovies. The fish is used mainly for the production of fishmeal.

The main sectors of the mining industry in Peru (1992, thousand tons): extraction of ores of zinc (602), lead (194), copper (369), iron ore, silver (1.6; one of the leading places in the world), gold, oil. Electricity generation 16.8 billion kWh (1995), St. 3/4 - at hydroelectric power plants.

Food flavoring, mainly fishing industry; non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, oil refining, chemical, textile industries.

Length (1993, thousand km) railways 2.1, Highways 71.4 (1996). The main seaport is Callao. Export: products of the mining and metallurgical industry, oil and oil products, fishmeal, coffee, cotton, sugar. Main foreign trade partners: USA, Japan, Germany.

Monetary unit - inti (since 1986).

Geographical position

Peru is a country located in the western part of South America. Official name - Republic of Peru. In the north it borders with Ecuador and Colombia, in the east - with Brazil and Bolivia, in the south - with Chile.

The total area of ​​the country is 1.28 million square meters. km. Peru is one of largest countries Latin America.

The capital is the city of Lima.

State is divided into three regions: Coast (Costa) on the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean, Mountains (Sierra) - in the middle of the Andes and Selva (Selva) - in the western part of the Amazon.

In the west, the territory of the country is washed by the waters of the ocean.

The country's largest river is the Amazon, the largest lakes are Titicaca and Junin. Lake Titicaca is the largest alpine navigable body of water on the planet. Its area is 8287 sq. km.

Cape Parinas is considered the westernmost point of the country.

A complex mountain system, which consists of a chain of ridges of the Peruvian Andes and the Cordillera.

The highest point of the country is the dormant volcano Huascaran, whose height is 6768 meters.

Peru has a fairly diverse climate, ranging from tropical in the east to tropical mountainous in the west. This is due to the complex topography of the surface of the country.

In the coastal strip, the average annual temperature ranges from +16 to 25 C. In the Andes - from -5 to +16°C. The Selva has a humid, tropical climate with high rainfall. The average annual temperature here is +26-28°C. The rainy season lasts from November to March.

Precipitation falls annually from 700 to 3000 mm. In the coastal strip (Kosta), instead of rain, quite often the smallest drizzle falls, which is called "garya".

The ridges of the Andes create a barrier to oceanic air masses, this provides a contrast between the Pacific coast and the forested slopes.

The best time to visit the mountainous regions and the Selva is the period from June to August, the coast - from December to March.

The tops of the mountains are covered with snow and glaciers all year round. Precipitation here annually falls no more than 700 mm. The average annual temperature at an altitude of 4500 m is only +2°C.

Visas, entry rules, customs rules

To enter the country, citizens of Russia need to apply for a visa. This can be done at the consular section of the Embassy of Peru, located in Moscow. A visa is issued in a few working days, the consular fee is $12.

When departing from the country, you must pay an airport tax of $25, on domestic flights - $4.

The visa can be extended at the Office of the General Directorate of the Immigration Service in Lima. You can do this three times. In this case, a fee of $20 is paid. Children under 16 fit into the visa of the parents (mother).

There are no restrictions on the import and export of local currency. Foreign currency can be imported into the country without restrictions, only an amount not exceeding the amount imported can be exported. In case of a reverse exchange, it is necessary to provide receipts for the exchange of foreign currency into salt.

Persons over the age of 18 may bring a limited amount of tobacco products, alcohol, perfumes and foodstuffs into Peru duty-free.

Gifts and personal items in undamaged original packaging can be imported in quantities up to $300. When importing sausages, salami, ham or cheese, a certificate of validity from the manufacturer is required.

Uncanned food, weapons and drugs cannot be brought into Peru. Without special permission, it is impossible to import and export objects and things that have artistic, historical or archaeological value.

To import professional photo, film or video equipment, you need to obtain a special permit. You can export wool and leather products, jewelry, souvenirs. In this case, it is necessary to present a receipt ("boleta") from the store where these items were purchased.

When exporting fur items, a receipt and an export stamp are required.

Population, political condition

The population of the country is about 27.5 million people. Of these, 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizos, 15% are Europeans and about 3% are Asians.

The largest cities in Peru are: Lima (5,760,000 people), Callao (638,000 people), Arequipa (620,000 people), Trujillo (509,000 people), Chiclayo (410,000 people) and Cusco (258,000 people).

Politically, Peru is a presidential republic. The head of state and government is the president, who is elected for a term of 5 years.

Legislative power is concentrated in the hands of a unicameral congress, consisting of 120 congressmen who are elected for 5 years.

Executive power is vested in the president and the prime ministers, who are appointed by the president. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court and local judiciary.

Administratively, the territory of the country is divided into 24 departments and 1 constitutional province of Callao. Administrative units have a fairly large independence.

The official languages ​​of Peru are Spanish and Quechua. Aymara and other languages ​​​​of Indian groups are also common. In the interior, not everyone speaks Spanish.

In the tourism industry, English is mostly understood.

What to see

Peru is considered to be one of the most interesting countries peace. A lot of interesting cultural monuments of the pre-European period have been preserved here. And the nature of this country is simply amazing with its splendor.
Lima is the capital of Peru. It was founded in 1535 and lies on the Pacific coast. During the Conquest period, this city became the political and military capital of the Spanish possessions in South America. Currently, Lima is a large city with a not very favorable climate. It is a crowded and noisy city.
It is very hot and dry here, in addition, a cloud of smog constantly hangs over the city.
It is worth visiting the historical center of the capital, which was built according to a clear scheme and is under the protection of UNESCO. There are many colorful Spanish colonial mansions here.

On the central square of Plaza de Armas, you can see a stone fountain created in the 17th century. It is considered the oldest building in the city. The Santo Domingo Cathedral, built in 1540, houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro.

Of interest to tourists are also the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and two temples of the pre-Inca period in San Isidro. The catacombs of the colonial period have been preserved in the church of San Francisco. On the Plaza de San Martin stands a statue of San Martin, who became famous for declaring the independence of Peru.

Of the museums, it is worth highlighting the Museum of the Inquisition, the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, the Museum of Art, the Museum of the Nation and the unique Museum of Gold.

Theaters and restaurants are concentrated in the Miraflores area. Nightlife flourishes in the bohemian Barranco quarter.
"Street of Lovers" Puente de los Suspiros ("Bridge of Sighs") leads to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent panorama of Pacific Ocean.
Tourists can visit a large number of huge "Indian markets", the best of which are: Mercado Indio, Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and Kennedy Park.
The surroundings of the capital are more picturesque than the city itself. 80 km from Lima, at an altitude of about 3900 m, is the plateau of Marcahuasi. Here you can see many megalithic sculptures and rock paintings. Scientists are still arguing about their origin.
Pachacamac is located 29 km south of the capital. It is a place of worship for the Divine Creator of the Earth, a very important religious center of the pre-Inca period.
In the neighboring Rimak valley are the mysterious buildings of Puruchuko and Cajamarquilla.
Cusco (Khosho - "center of the earth") is one of the most ancient and unusual cities in the world. It was the capital of the Inca Empire during its heyday. According to the legends, it was founded by the ancestors of Manco Capac and Mama Occlio around 1200 AD. e.
The city is located at an altitude of about 3500 m, but is quite crowded. Its entire territory is under the protection of UNESCO.
The whole city of the Incas was carved into the mountains many centuries ago. The city was built in the form of a silhouette of a sacred cougar. During the construction, huge boulders were used, but they were not held together with mortar. At the same time, there are practically no gaps between the stones. The streets are striking in their directness, the whole city is permeated with a unique system of stone watercourses.
The Plaza de Armas was built by the Spaniards on the site of the ancient cult center of Huacalpa. The main attractions of this city include: the ruins of the granite Palace of the Supreme Inca, two Inca statues of Inca Pachacute on the mountain, the Palace of Justice, the ruins of the Inca Coricancha, located east of the city center, the Church of El Triunfo, the Church of Santo Domingo.
La Compagna Cathedral is interesting for its huge 300-year-old Maria Angola bell, which is the largest bell in South America. Museums include: Museum of the Institute of Archeology National University, the Museum of the Viceroyalty and the Museum of Religious Art.
To the north-west of the city center there is a monumental complex of structures Sacsayhuaman ("Gray Stone-Colored Bird of Prey"). This military and religious center of the Inca empire lies on the top of a mountain, at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level. It is made up of huge stone blocks. The center of the structure is the so-called "throne of the Inca". It is surrounded by 21 bastions with powerful towers.
Nearby lie the ruins of the fortresses of Kenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machai.
Pisac is located 30 km from Cusco, which is the stronghold of the Incas on the top of the mountain range.
The main attractions of this area are: the ruins of the ancient Ollantaytambo, the pyramid city of Ollantaytambo, the Kosnipata Valley ("Smoke Valley"), the secluded Sinakara Valley.
Tumbes has a picturesque Cathedral and the Aguas Verdes nature reserve. Chinchero ("Rainbow Village") is located 28 km northwest of Cusco. During the Inca era, it was a famous resort. Paucartambo and Tres Cruces also deserve attention here.
The "Inca Trail" stretches along the "Sacred Valley" past the most mysterious structures of ancient civilizations. The valleys of Huantanay and Vilkanota (Urubamba) are considered the center of the spiritual culture of the Incas.
The archaeological complex of Karal dates back to 2600-2100. BC e. It lies 200 km north of Lima and is considered the most ancient city on the continent.
Chokepujio is located 35 km from Cusco, which is the birthplace of the mysterious Lurce culture. Corihuayracina, Vilcabamba Vitcos and Espiritu Pampas are the last pockets of resistance to the Spanish invasion.
It is worth visiting the Manu National Park, whose area is 1.5 million hectares.
The famous Machu Picchu ("old mountain") is the most famous and most mysterious monument of Inca culture on the continent.
It is located 112 km northwest of Cusco. Historians and scientists are still arguing about the purpose of this ancient sacred city of the Incas. Its total area is about 33 thousand hectares. The city is spread out on a flat mountain plateau, which is located at an altitude of 2700 m above sea level in the Urubamba Valley.
Excavations carried out here revealed the famous Intihuatana Gate of the Sun and an observatory. You can see temples and palaces carved into the rock or built from carefully fitted giant boulders. The Palace of the Moon is located at the foot of Mount Huayna Picchu ("young mountain"). Big interest represent the famous Temple of the Three Windows and the "Sacred Square", numerous burials and objects of the pre-Inca period. Here you can also see stairs, gutters, defensive walls, pools, terraces and buildings.
The famous Nazca desert is one of the main attractions of the country. It is located in the department of Ica in southern Peru, between the Ingenio and Nazca rivers. Its total area is about 500 sq. km, the desert has the shape of an almost regular square. It's very harsh here. climatic conditions. This place attracts tourists and researchers, because. the entire territory of the desert is covered with mysterious drawings of huge sizes - from 40 m to 8 km. These drawings are visible only from the air, they are carved in stone and made in one continuous line.
Tentatively, these drawings refer to 350-700 BC. e., but their purpose is still unknown. Here you can see geometric figures, as well as stylized images of animals, birds and people in strange attire. It should be noted that many of the depicted objects are not even found in the Nazca region.
Another attraction of this area is the Chauchilla necropolis, which belongs to the late period of the Nazca culture (around the 1st century AD).
Alpine lake Titicaca is another unique monument of the country. Its name translates as "stone cougar". It is located on the border of Bolivia and Peru and is the world's largest alpine navigable body of water. Its area is 8287 sq. km.
This lake, by its nature, is an ancient sea bay, which was raised by tectonic forces to a height of 3810 m. Therefore, oceanic ichthyofauna is observed in it - a large number various kinds marine invertebrates and fish, there are even sharks in the lake.

Reeds grow along the shores of the lake, from which local residents, belonging to the Quechua and Aymara tribes, build their dwellings, buildings for various purposes, as well as real floating islands "uros". These islands were so named after the extinct tribe of Indians "Uro". On them, people's lives have not changed much over the past five hundred years. The Incas considered the lake itself and its islands, of which there are more than 30, to be sacred.

The lake itself attracts with its fantastic panorama. Of great interest to tourists are also the burial towers ("chulpas") of Silustani, in which the burial places of local leaders of the Inca era are located. The total burial area is 4 thousand square meters. m.
On the "island of knitting men" Taquile is a good Textile Museum. Worth a visit is Amantani Island. on which is the temple of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Sky).
In the highland village of Chuquito, you can see the Church of Santo Domingo. And at the bottom of the lake, scuba divers found a city that belongs to the era of Tiahuanaco culture (IX-X centuries AD). It very much resembles the legendary city of Cuzco - the ancestral home of the Incas.
The city of Puno, which is the capital of the region, was founded in 1668. It lies at an altitude of 3800 m on the southwestern shore of the lake. It is the main port of the lake, and used to be one of the richest cities on the continent, because. next to it are silver mines. The colonial cities of Juli and Pomata were built by the Spaniards in the 16th-17th centuries.
The ancient port city of Tiahuanaco is located 20 km south of the coast. It is located at an altitude of 3625 m above sea level. Its total area is about 450 thousand square meters. m. According to archeology, the heyday of this city dates back to the 5th century. BC e. But mathematical and astronomical calculations suggest that Tiahuanaco was created around the 15th millennium BC. e.
Tiwanaku was a prosperous port and was located right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The Akapana pyramid ("artificial mountain") has been preserved here, the height of which is 15 meters, and the length of the side of the base is 230 m).
You can see the "standing stone" Kalasasaya with the famous Gate of the Sun, a small underground temple and giant statues, whose height is up to 7.5 m.
The ruins of other impressive structures, which are also made of huge stone blocks, have also been preserved.
Arequipa, whose name can be translated as "let's stop here", is the second largest city in Peru and an important economic center. It is located in the very south of the country at an altitude of 2335 m above sea level. It is known that this city appeared on the site of an estate that belonged to the conquistador Francisco de Carvajal. It is located in a basin between huge volcanoes, one of which is active.
Arequipa is considered to be the most beautiful city in Peru. It is built up with buildings made in the Spanish colonial style. late XVIII V. Here is the convent of the Convento de Santa Catalina. dating back to 1580 and known throughout the world.
It is also worth seeing the Jesuit Church of La Campania, the Cathedral, the central square of Plaza de Armas. Noteworthy is the former mint of the Casa de la Moneda, built in the 18th century, and the Casa Moral mansion.
180 km from Arequipa you can visit the Colca Canyon, which is unique natural object. This canyon is considered the deepest in the world. Its total depth is 3400 m.
Tourists have the opportunity to watch soaring condors from the observation deck of the Cruz del Condor. Other attractions of this region of the country include the Cotahuasi Canyon, the "Valley of Volcanoes", the Salinas y Aguiade Blanca National Park, the Pata Pamba Pass (4825 m). You can see the ancient Inca burials in the rock caves above Antahuilki or swim in the geothermal springs located near the village of Chivay.
Costa is the Pacific coast of Peru. There are few sea resorts here, but a large number of tourists are attracted here by numerous historical and cultural sites.

On the one hand, this narrow strip of land is framed by the Andes, and on the other hand, it is washed by the waters of the ocean. The main attractions of Costa are the Paracas National Marine Reserve, the ancient clay city of Chan Chan, the Huascaran National Park and cultural monuments that date back to the 10th-5th centuries. BC Many tourists visit the seaside resort of Picasmayo, which is considered the best place in Peru for windsurfing, as well as the resort town of Paracas. There are also resort towns to the south and north of Lima.
Quite interesting are the sand dunes of Huacachina, the oases around the "capital of winemakers" Ica and the valley of Huylas. The mysterious pre-Inca culture cities of Sipan and Tukume are also worth seeing.
Trujillo is the capital of Costa. It was founded in 1535 and represented the center of the Spanish expansion to the mainland. And today this city attracts tourists with the former charm of the colonial era. Here you can see a large number of beautiful mansions built in the Spanish style.
Noteworthy is the central square of the city - Plaza de Armas. It is also worth visiting the Bishop's Palace, the Town Hall, numerous monasteries and the cathedral. The central club is located in the Palacio Iturrega mansion. You can visit Archaeological Museum and the Cassinella Museum, as well as an art gallery.

Not far from the city are the ruins of the capital of the ancient Chimu empire - Chan Chan. This colossal city was built entirely of clay and stones. Previously, it was surrounded by a wall with seven bastions. Chan Chan flourished around the 12th century. Then the city was the largest building of its era. It had important political and cultural significance. The entire territory of the city was built up with palaces, rich houses and places of worship.
Of great interest to tourists are: the "Temple of the Rainbow" Templo del Arco Iris, the temple-fortress of Tshudi, the "Emerald Temple" of Huaca Esmeralda. The pyramids of Huaca del Sol and Huaca del Luna ("Sun and Moon") date back to the 6th century. n. e.
Not far from here lies the archaeological complex of El Brujo (3rd millennium BC) with the famous Cao pyramid. You can also see the remains of extensive irrigation canals and temples from the pre-Inca period.
In the vicinity of the city of Chiclayo, which is located 200 km north of Trujillo, is the "Tomb of Lord Sipan".
50 km south of Chimbote is the region of the most ancient Indian structures in Sechin, which date back to the 16th century. BC e. Of interest are the ruins of Gran Pachatén, the monuments of the Inca period around Cajamarca and Chachapoyas. Many tourists visit the seaside resorts of Chicama and La Pimentel and the ecological reserve at Batan Grande.
The eastern part of the country is called the Selva, which accounts for 60% of the entire territory of Peru. Moist evergreen forests predominate here. Locals call this area "Green Hell". It is a unique ecosystem. This is where the Amazon River (Solimoes) begins. Unique Indian tribes live in this area. It is home to a large number of endemic plant and animal species. In the jungle you can find many monuments of Indian cultures that have not yet been fully explored.
The largest city in the Selva is Iquitos. Sights such as the Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve, the picturesque Lake Yarinacocha and the Amazonian forests deserve attention.

The first settlements on the territory of the country date back to the 10th millennium BC. e. People settled in the river valleys of the coast. The very first settlement was Norte Chico, which was located on the north-central coast of Peru. It dates from between 3000 and 1800. BC e.

Peru was the center of the Inca Empire, which arose around 1100. By 1500, this empire included not only the territory of modern Peru, but also territories from Quito in Ecuador to the Mole River in Chile.

The Incas were known for their large number of fine gold pieces. For this reason, the Spanish conquerors arrived in their country.

A detachment of Spaniards, led by Francisco Pizarro from Panama, captured the Inca Empire in 1532. Lima was founded in 1535. In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was created. Blasco Nunez Vela, who arrived from Spain, became the first Viceroy. This kingdom included all of Spanish South America, except for Panama and Venezuela.

The Spaniards ruled the country for almost 300 years. Peru's independence was proclaimed on July 28, 1821.

But the Spaniards came back to power in June 1823. In 1824, the troops of Sucre, who was an associate of Bolivar, invaded Peru from the north. They finally defeated the Spanish colonizers.

Bolivar decided to divide Peru into two countries - Peru and Bolivia, named after him. Bolivar began to rule in Peru, and gave Bolivia under the rule of Sucre.

Since 1962, Peru has been ruled by various military regimes that came to power through coups. From the late 1980s, free elections on a multi-party basis began to be held in the country, but this did not lead to civilian rule.

Peru is a member of the UN and all the specialized agencies of this organization.

International trade

Peru's main export commodities include gold, zinc, copper, crude oil and petroleum products. The country also exports coffee, potatoes, asparagus, processed fish and textiles.

The main export partners are such countries as America (20%), China (15.2%), Canada (8.3%), Japan (7%), Chile (5.8%) and Brazil (4.2%). %).

The country imports oil products, plastics, machinery and equipment, as well as cars and paper.

The main import partners are the following countries: USA (23.4%), China (10.5%), Brazil (8.7%), Ecuador (6.4%), Chile (5%) and Argentina (5% ).

The shops

Peru is a fairly cheap country. The most expensive places in the country are Lima and Cusco. Shopping for foreigners is more expensive than for locals.

Prices can vary significantly depending on the season. Shops in the country are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00-16.00 to 20.00 hours. In the capital, some supermarkets are open without lunch until 21.00-22.00. There are also convenience stores. Shops in the provinces have individual opening hours.

From Peru, as souvenirs and gifts, tourists usually bring pottery, knitted woolen products, silver jewelry, furs, masks, and wood products with artistic carvings.

Demography

The annual population growth is 1.2% (fertility - 2.3 births per woman).

The average life expectancy for men is 69 years, for women - 73 years.

The share of the urban population is quite high and amounts to 71%.

Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is 0.5%.

Literacy - 96% of men and 89% of women.

Industry

Peru has a developed mining industry, while the manufacturing industry is under development.

Industry provides 25% of GDP, it employs about 24% of the working population of the country.

The most developed industries are the smelting of steel and other metals; mining and processing of mineral resources, as well as oil and gas; food industry, fish processing, production of clothing and textiles.

vegetable and animal world

The flora of Peru differs depending on the region. Plants found in the Montaca jungle include rubber trees, mahogany, vanilla tree, sarsaparilla, and a large number of exotic tropical flowers.

In the Sierra, the vegetation is less diverse, in this arid climate only cacti and other drought- or frost-resistant plants can survive.

In the coastal strip, mostly desert plants are found.

The fauna of the country is not very diverse. On the coastal plain, the most common animals are tarantulas, lizards, and scorpions.

Coastal waters are rich in such inhabitants as haddock, sole, sardines, shrimp, smelt and other marine animals.

The Sierra is home to chinchilla, llama, alpaca and vicuña. Birds include duck, giant condor, goose, partridge, flycatcher and finches. Common in Montacá are: cougar, jaguar, armadillo, tapir, alligator, anteater, peccary, as well as many types of monkeys and some types of snakes.

The existence of some animals is currently under threat. Chinchillas with valuable fur were almost completely exterminated. Vicuña numbers have also declined.

To protect the fauna, the Pampa de Galeras National Park was created in 1966.

Banks and money

Peruvian banknotes / Currency converter

The monetary unit of the country is the New Sol (international designation - PEN, within the country - S /), which is nominally equal to 100 centimes. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 sols, as well as coins of 1, 2 and 5 sols, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.

American dollars are also accepted everywhere. The exception is banknotes in $100 series CB issued in 2001. Some places do not accept crumpled banknotes.

Banks of the country are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 17.00. On Saturdays they are open from 09.00 to 13.00, but in summer the opening hours sometimes change. Some banks in the provinces have their own opening hours.

Tourists can exchange currency at numerous exchange offices, as well as at banks, shops and hotels. US dollars are preferred. Other currency can be exchanged only in major metropolitan banks.

Damaged banknotes may not be accepted for exchange. It is recommended to keep the foreign currency exchange receipt before leaving the country. This will allow you to make a reverse exchange of unspent money.

At ATMs in Peru, you can get cash in both salts and dollars. Credit cards and travelers checks can only be used in the capital and tourist areas. In the provinces, this is almost impossible.

When exchanging currency, it is best to take more small bills. Sometimes it is simply impossible to pay with large bills due to the lack of change.

You should not change money on the street, because easy to run into scammers or robbers.

The capital of Peru, Lima, was founded almost 500 years ago - on January 15, 1535. Its founder, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, considered this place extremely inhospitable: it rarely rains, earthquakes are frequent, and in winter the whole sky is covered with gray clouds. However, Pizarro's soldiers liked this place. In the event of an Indian uprising, it was possible to quickly run to the sea from here and board a ship.

Five years after its founding, Lima became the capital of the Spanish colonial authorities and received the title of "beautiful, delightful, loyal city of kings." However, only the Spaniards considered this city beautiful. There were almost no sources fresh water The wind blew constantly, and the land was barren. 3/5 of the entire territory of Peru is occupied by the Amazonian selva. The roads here are rivers, cars are motor boats or canoes. Less than 8% of the total population of the country lives in the Amazonian rainforests. Our expedition climbed up the Madre de Dios River - one of the tributaries of the Amazon.

The selva here is so impassable that economic progress has not reached here. Thanks to this, the forests have been preserved intact. The selva practically “mothballed” the life of local tribes. Somewhere here live natives who have preserved the primitive way of life. The only civilized people they ever interacted with were the missionaries.

The main starting point for missionaries who intended to convert the Peruvian Indians to Catholicism was the monastery of Santa Rosa de Ocopa, founded in 1725 by Franciscan friars. Trying to get here, many monks paid with their lives. Some died on the way at the hands of savage Indians, others were eaten by wild animals in the jungle. And even now it is not easy to get into the monastery. We had to overcome more than three hundred kilometers of a dizzying mountain road, with endless tunnels, unexpected turns and serpentine, breaking off somewhere in the abyss. Enraged, roaring mountain rivers seemed ready to wash away bridges, embankments, roads - everything that gets in their way.

The main pride of the monastery is the library. Most of the books were brought here in saddlebags by European priests who crossed the Andes on mules. It took the founder of the book depository more than three years to classify and arrange the books on the shelves. This library is the largest in Peru and the best in all of Latin America.

The oldest and most valuable books here are manuscripts on biology, astronomy and theology from Europe, diaries with descriptions of the conquest of the New World by the Spaniards. One of the rarest is this 1564 Bible written in German. And the oldest book in the library was written in 1490.

The unique and mysterious lines in the Nazca desert have always attracted researchers. Nazca lines are drawings geometric shapes, animals and birds up to 300 meters in size, inscribed on the dry crust of the Nazca desert 2,000 years ago and preserved thanks to the complete absence of rains and winds that cleanse, but do not destroy the topsoil.

Chandelier. It is believed that this drawing is directly related to the Nazca lines. But they are separated by more than a hundred kilometers of desert and a few more kilometers of the sea. Moreover, you can see the Candelabra only from the side of the Pacific Ocean, rounding the island on which it is located.

The Balest Islands are part of the Paracas National Reserve in Peru. A huge number of birds and marine animals live here. It is said that passing ships anchored near the Balest Islands to replenish their holds with fresh meat from strange creatures that had never sailed to the mainland. It seems that no human has ever set foot on these islands. All ledges and platforms on these mountains are polluted with birds. However, the litter does not go to waste - there is a guan farm on the islands, where the litter is collected for fertilizer.

Arequipa is perhaps the most Spanish city in Latin America. In 1540 it was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Carvajal. At first, the whole city consisted of a single estate, which was called just that: "Beautiful Villa Arequipa." Villa became a staging post for caravans carrying silver from the rich Potosiv mines in neighboring Bolivia to the port of Quilca for shipment to Spain. Later, a whole city grew up around the villa.

In 1541, a year after its founding, the King of Spain granted this oasis at the foot of the volcano the title of "The most noble, most devoted, loyal city of the Ascension of the Virgin in the beautiful valley of Arequipa." The Aymara Indians, who lived in this valley even before the Spaniards, expressed themselves more simply. They called the valley "Arequipa", that is, "the place behind the peaked mountain." According to one version, Arequipa got its second name - the White City for the beautiful houses made of white volcanic stone. According to another, there were so many Europeans in the settlement founded by the Spaniards that Arequipa was called the White City for this.

Not far from Arequipa is the deepest canyon in the world. Until the very beginning of the 80s, nothing was known about Kolkinsky Canyon, since it was impossible to get here even by helicopter, and highways there wasn’t even a mention of it ... The canyon was formed in the fault between two volcanoes - Karapuno and Ampato. The waters of Kolka, flowing at the bottom of the canyon, are at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. And the length of the canyon is almost 100 kilometers.

When approaching Cusco, which is called both the most beautiful city of Peru and the archaeological capital of South America, it seems that among the mountains it is impossible to find not only a place to land an airplane, but even a football ground. All around are mountains. Cusco is located in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level and 1,600 kilometers from the capital - the city of Lima.

The history of its origin is rooted in antiquity. Archaeological excavations in the area of ​​the city prove that people lived in these mountains as early as 3,000 years ago. An Indian legend says that the progenitors of the Incas - Manco Capac and his sister, she is also his wife, Mama Oklio came out of the waters of Lake Titicaca and founded the city. They were looking for a place where the golden staff of Manco Capac would enter the ground. Finding it, they founded ancient city Inca Cusco.

To get to the ancient Inca fortress of Machu Picchu, we rented a helicopter. For a long time, there were legends about the existence of the "lost city of the Incas", but no one knew whether it really existed. There was not a word about him in the Spanish chronicles. The Incas did not leave written evidence either. The fact that the city actually exists, it became known only at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1911, the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who spent several years searching for the "lost city of the Incas", stumbled upon a snake-infested, densely covered ancient city on a mountaintop.

In Peru, tourists will see ancient land Incas, temples of the pre-Inca period, the Amazon rainforest, the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the relict Lake Titicaca, the mysterious petroglyphs in the Nazca desert, museums in Lima, which the locals call the "City of Kings", as well as condors soaring majestically over the Colca Canyon. In this ancient country, there are also good beaches on the Pacific Ocean.

Geography of Peru

Peru is located in the west of South America. Peru borders Colombia and Ecuador to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south. In the west, the country is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Total area - 1,285,216 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 5,536 km.

In the west there is a narrow coastal plain, in the east there is a flat area covered with tropical forests (jungle), and the rest of the country is occupied by the Andes mountain system. The highest local peak is Mount Huascaran, whose height reaches 6,768 meters.

Most Peruvian rivers originate in the Andes mountains. They flow into the Pacific Ocean, into Lake Titicaca, and are also tributaries of the Amazon River.

Earthquakes occur quite often in Peru, however, most of them are not destructive.

Capital

Lima is the capital of Peru. More than 8 million people now live in this city. Lima was founded by the Spaniards in 1535.

Official language of Peru

Peru has several official languages ​​- Spanish and the languages ​​​​of local Indians (where they live compactly).

Religion

Most of the inhabitants of this country are Catholics.

State structure

According to the Constitution, Peru is a presidential republic, headed by a President elected for 5 years. The president acts as head of state and head of government. His functions also include the appointment of the Prime Minister.

The unicameral local parliament is called the Congress, it consists of 130 deputies, also elected for 5 years.

The main political parties are the Union for Peru, the Peruvian Aprista Party, the National Unity Party and the Alliance for the Future.

Administratively, the country is divided into 25 regions and one province with the center in Lima. Regions are further subdivided into districts.

Climate and weather

The climate in Peru is varied, ranging from subtropical and tropical to alpine in the Andes. It is the Andes, as well as the Humboldt Current, that have a decisive influence on the local climate.

The best time to visit this country is the Peruvian winter (June-September), when there is little rainfall.

During the Peruvian summer (November-March) it rains very often. The temperature is higher than in summer, but it can get very cold at night. The most unpredictable seasons are spring (April-May) and autumn (October).

Seas and oceans of Peru

In the west, the country is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the sea coast is 2,414 km. average temperature sea ​​near the coast - from + 14С to + 19С.

Rivers and lakes

The sources of most Peruvian rivers begin in the Andes mountains. They flow into the Pacific Ocean, into Lake Titicaca or are tributaries of the Amazon. The longest local rivers are the Ucayali (1,771 km), the Marañon (1,414 km), the Putumayo (1,380 km), the Zhavari (1,184 km) and the Huallaga (1,138 km).

In the southeast, near the border with Bolivia, there is a mountain lake Titicaca with fresh water. Its area is 8300 sq. km.

Culture of Peru

The culture of Peru was formed under the influence of the traditions of local Indians and Spaniards. The traditions and customs of many ethnic groups coexist in this country. As in any other country in South America, Peru has a huge number of festivals, fiestas and holidays, most of which are, of course, of a religious nature.

In February, for example, there is a fiesta in Puno in honor of the Blessed Virgin of La Candelaria, in April there are fiestas throughout the country in honor of Good Friday and Easter, in July there is a fiesta in Paucartambo in honor of the Virgin of El Carmen, and in October in Lima - Fiesta of the Lord of Miracles.

On June 24, Peruvians celebrate the summer solstice Inti Raimi, which has its roots in Inca tradition.

Also very interesting are the Marinera Dance Festival in La Libertad, the Spring Festival in Trujillo and the wine festival of La Vendimina.

Kitchen

The territory of Peru is geographically divided into three regions - the mountainous, the jungle and the coastal region. Peruvian cuisine can be divided along the same lines.

In coastal areas, fish and seafood dishes predominate. The traditional dish there is "Ceviche", which is fish marinated in lemon or lime juice with coriander, garlic and onions. Such fish is served with corn, potatoes or seaweed.

In mountainous areas, the emphasis is on meat dishes. The traditional dish of the Peruvians in the mountains is "Pachamanca" (meat baked in its own juice in a hole in the ground, seasoned with spices). Such meat is often served with potatoes.

In the cuisine of the Peruvian jungle, the emphasis is on vegetables, fruits and meat. In the jungle region, Peruvians eat a large amount of fruit every day, including the Camu Camu fruit, which is rich in vitamin C.

Traditional non-alcoholic drinks are coca leaf tea (it is not a drug, it is sometimes drunk cold, but most often hot), herbal or fruit tea "Emoliente", a drink "Chicha morada" from purple corn with sugar and spices.

Traditional alcoholic drinks are Pisco (traditional Peruvian vodka), Chicha de jora (traditional corn alcoholic drink), wine and beer.

Sights of Peru

Tourists in Peru are waiting for a lot of interesting sights. These are, for example, the relic lake Titicaca, medieval palaces and churches, petroglyphs in the Nazca desert, fortresses and cities of the Incas, temples of the pre-Inca period and much more. The Top 10 most interesting Peruvian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

1. Inca Religious Center Sacsayhuaman
2. Lake Titicaca
3. Religious center of the pre-Inca period Pachacamac
4. Petroglyphs in the Nazca Desert
5. Sacred city of the Incas Machu Picchu
6. Ruins of the ancient Indian city of Chan Chan
7. Cathedral of Santo Domingo in Lima
8. Megalithic sculptures on the plateau of Marcahuasi
9. Capital of the Inca Empire Cusco
10. Inca fortress Pisac

Of great interest to tourists are the Peruvian national parks and reserves - the Manu Biosphere Reserve, the Batan Grande Ecological Reserve, as well as the Bahuaha Sonone and Maididi National Parks.

Cities and resorts

The largest cities are Lima, Arequipa, Callao, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Iquitos and Piura.

Peruvian beach resorts are not as famous as resorts in Ecuador and Colombia, for example, but this country has some very beautiful beaches surrounded by the Andes. The most popular local beach resorts are Picasmayo, Chicama, Paracas, La Pimentel, Tumbesa, Trujillo and Lima. The best time to relax on Peruvian beaches is January-March.

Many believe that the best Peruvian beach is Punta Sal, located in the north of the country near the border with Ecuador. Another popular local beach is Mancora. Both of these beaches present excellent opportunities for aquatic species sports, especially surfing.

Tourists in Peru are also offered a large number of historical and ecological excursion tours. During these sightseeing tours, tourists visit the villages of local Indians, see ancient Indian archaeological complexes, observe unique animals and birds, get acquainted with the lifestyle of local residents, and try traditional Indian dishes.

There are many therapeutic thermal baths in the Peruvian mountains, which are visited by thousands of tourists with pleasure.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Tourists in Peru buy handicrafts, jewelry, clothes (sweaters, hats, scarves) made of alpaca wool, carpets, wooden chess with figures of the Incas and conquistadors, traditional Peruvian pisco vodka.

Office Hours

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00 (most banks close for siesta from 13:00 to 15:00)
Sat: 09:00-12:00

The shops:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-17:00/18:00
Some banks are also open on Sundays, but only until noon.

Visa

Ukrainians who want to travel to Peru for up to 3 months do not need a visa.

Currency of Peru

Area: 1285 thousand km2
Population: 29.5 million people
Capital: Lima
Form of government: republic
Official languages: Spanish, Quechua
Currency: New Sol

Geographical location and nature of Peru

The territory consists of three parts: narrow lane coasts in the west, in the center, plains and foothills in the east.
The coast is a cold coastal desert. here it is dry and cool due to the cold Peruvian Current. In winter in these parts it is cloudy, frequent. The deserts of the Pacific coast merge with the belt of mountainous semi-deserts. The eastern ranges of the Peruvian Andes are covered up to a height of 1.5 km with dense tropical forest. Many valuable species of trees grow in it, including cinchona, from which the medical preparation quinine is made.
More than half of the country's area is occupied by plains and foothills. It's hot here and it rains a lot. The plains are covered with dense equatorial forests. Among the numerous species of trees there are those that are of great economic importance: akazhu (mahogany) and cedrela.

Population of Peru

On the territory of the modern state of Peru, there was a powerful empire of the Inca Indians. This is evidenced by numerous monuments that have survived to this day. The most famous of them is the "Lost City" of Machu Picchu, discovered only in the 20th century. The resettlement of Europeans to the territory of Peru led to the formation of both European and mixed groups of the population.

Spanish and Quechua became the official languages ​​of the country. From the Spaniards they brought with them the Catholic faith, which is widespread today in the country.

The population is growing quite rapidly. More than 70% of Peruvians live in cities, mostly within a narrow coastal strip. Capital and The largest city country - Lima. Together with the port of Callao, it forms a single industrial area. The city of Cusco, founded by the Incas, is now a major tourist center in Peru.

Business activity in Peru

Peru has a low level economic development. The main types of economic activity:, and fishing. Historical centers attract tourists here.