Peru — country of Machu Picchu, Incas, Amazon. 34 million inhabitants, 13 UNESCO sites, 3 climate zones.
- Machu Picchu — best-preserved Inca city 1450 AD. Discovered 1911 (Hiram Bingham). UNESCO + 7 new wonders of the world. 2430 m above sea level. Only 2500 visitors/day.
- Inca Empire — Americas' largest empire (15th c.). 5500 km coastline + Andes. 12 mn inhabitants. Spanish conquered 1532 (Pizarro, 168 men).
- Peru has 3 climate zones Coast (Lima — desert), mountains (Andes 6700+ m), jungle (Amazonia 60% of territory).
- Peru has 13 UNESCO sites Machu Picchu, Cusco (Inca capital), Nazca Lines (geoglyph art 2nd c. BC-7th c.), Arequipa, Caral (oldest city in Americas 5000 years).
- Nazca Lines — gigantic drawings in the desert 300 figures (monkey, hummingbird, spider). 70-500 m long. Visible only from the air. UNESCO. Purpose: rituals, astronomical calendar?
- Lima — founded 1535 by Spanish 10 mn inhabitants (1/3 of Peru). Best cuisine in Latin America (Central, Maido — world's top 10).
- Quechua — 2nd official language of Peru Inca language. 4 mn speakers (12% of population). Plus Aymara language (1 mn).
- Peru has 90 ecosystems (of 117 worldwide) Most biodiversity per km² (with Colombia). 1800+ birds, 4000+ butterflies.
- Pisco — Peru's national alcohol Distilled from grapes. Pisco Sour — national cocktail. Chile also produces pisco — international origin dispute.
- Cusco — Inca navel of the world Carved from perfectly fitting stones (no mortar). Saqsaywaman — 100 tonne stones. Modern technology: how did the Incas do it?
Sources: INEI Peru, Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo, UNESCO World Heritage.