What is washed by the pen. Water resources

Peru, or as this state is officially called the Republic of Peru, is one of the largest countries on the South American continent (in terms of area it is second only to Argentina and Brazil).

Despite the fact that the first mention of Peru dates back to 1525, civilization on the territory of this state began to develop as early as the 10th millennium BC, when ancient people Norte Chico. They also dubbed these lands "Peru", which literally means "river".

Geographic characteristics

The territory of the Latin American republic in the world ranking takes 19th place. The total area of ​​the country is slightly less than 1,300 thousand m2. Peru is located on almost coastline continent, which ensures its proximity to five states at once (Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile) and the whole Pacific Ocean.

The population density in the country is quite high - 23 people live on one square meter. The total population is almost 31 million people, with a third of the total population concentrated in the main city of Lima.

Nature

Peru is located in a very mountainous area. Despite the fact that there is a plain along the coastline, large mountains already rise a little to the east. There are about thirty peaks in total, the height of which exceeds 6000 meters. Mount Huascaran in the Andes, which is part of the Cordillera Blanca massif (6768 m), is considered to be the highest point in Peru.

Wanyunkunka rainbow mountains deserve special attention, the name of which is literally translated from the Quechua Indian language as “rainbow-colored mountains”. Many centuries ago, the red sandstone that covers the peaks began to change its color under the influence of wind and underground waters and began to turn into green, yellow, brown, blue and other colors. This miracle of nature is located in the province of Quispikanchis, 100 km from Cusco at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Conquering such a peak is not easy, but the editors of the National Geographic channel strongly advise you to at least try, and allocate a place in the list of those that must be seen during a lifetime ...

In this category, Peru can also be called a champion. In total, there are about twenty rivers and five large lakes in the country. Almost everyone has heard of the Amazon River and Lake Titicaca. Both of these aquatic ecosystems are among the most polluted, despite their size, every year more and more in need of purification.

The Amazon is the most major river after the Nile, it crosses the territory of five Latin American states and is included in the list of the seven natural wonders of the world...

The Pacific Ocean is also included in the water ecosystem of Peru. The ocean area for Peru is different great importance However, every year about 2 million tourists admire the ocean from the shores of this particular republic. Mining has been discovered here: ferromanganese nodules, as well as gas hydrates. In addition, fishing is quite well developed here, which works for the benefit of Food Industry and medicine...

Most of the territory of Peru does not have a permanent vegetation cover, which is explained by excessive aridity. The area near the Andes is famous for its densely planted subtropics and jungle. Here you can find very rare species red and vanilla trees, as well as sarsaparilla and evergreen cacti.

The animal world is much richer. About 800 species of birds, 250 species of mammals and more than 1000 species of insects constantly inhabit Peru. Approximately 50 species (mysterious poison dart frog, yellow-faced parrot, Inca toad, etc.) are considered endemic and are of particular interest to zoologists and travelers...

Tropical desert and subequatorial climates prevail in the west and east of the country, respectively. When climbing to a height, the indicators may change. In general, dryness is characteristic of the entire territory due to the proximity of the cold Peruvian Current, it is especially difficult for local residents from December to April, then the amount of precipitation slightly increases.

Peru is characterized by sharp temperature changes, during the day the air warms up to about 40 degrees, and at night to 13 ...

Resources

The industry in Peru works in two directions: mining and manufacturing. Minerals are constantly being mined here: zinc, gold, natural gas, oil, lead, silver and more. The manufacturing industry works in the direction of automobiles, metals, textiles and food.

Agriculture here provides about 8.5% of the total GDP. Moreover, the emphasis is on the cultivation of grain crops, such as: potatoes, barley, corn. Industrial crops include cotton and sugarcane. In addition, Peru, which is traditional for Latin America, is actively engaged in the cultivation of coffee and cocoa beans. Many continue to illegally harvest coca bush...

culture

Concerning ethnic composition Peru, then only half of the modern population here are Peruvians (Creoles, mestizos), the remaining 50% are classified as Indians. And to this day, the culture of the ancient Incas lives here, who thousands of years ago were considered the ruling class. The Machu Picchu fortress testifies to the supremacy of this tribe in Peru. Now rare excursions and mysterious rites are held in the "lost city of the Sun".

In total, four tribes live on the territory of Peru, which continue to honor the traditions of their ancestors. The most numerous is the Quechua tribe (almost 12 million). Today they are engaged in agriculture and profess Catholicism, although they often use the techniques of shamanism and are engaged in sacrifice during field work ...

Peru - Republic of Peru (Republic of Peru, Republica del Perú)

Peru as a popular tourist destination is primarily due to its wonders and mysteries - the legacy of the ancient civilizations of the land of prehistoric Peru. Even the most sophisticated travelers freeze in amazement in front of the perfectly fitted multi-ton monoliths in the temples of Machu Picchu, examine the astronomical "instruments" of the prehistoric observatories of Peru with unprecedented interest, and are lost in conjectures about the origin of the multi-kilometer drawings of the Nazca plateau. Peru also boasts the richest ecosystem: the Amazon Delta alone is home to a third of all animal species known to science. The main types of tourism in Peru - excursions, beach holiday, ecotourism, active recreation.

general information

Location, territory and landscape

Peru is located in South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil and Chile. The third largest (after Brazil and Argentina) country on the continent.

Territory: 1,285,216 sq. km.

The country can be divided into 4 topographic regions: Costa, Sierra, Selva and Montagna. The Coastal Plain (Costa) is the driest and longest section of the territory on which most of the cities of Peru are located. To the east of the plain is the mountainous Sierra region, which occupies about 30% of the country's territory. The main mountain range - Oriental Cordillera with the most the highest point Peru - Mount Huascaran (6768 m). In the southeast of the Sierra is the highest navigable lake Titicaca. In the northeast, the Sierra passes into a vast tropical valley - the Amazonian lowland (Selva), and it, in turn, passes into the foothill plain of Montagna in the south. These regions occupy about 60% of the territory of Peru and are covered with almost impenetrable jungle. The main rivers of the country are the Amazon and its tributaries the Marañon, the Ucayali and the Putumayo.

Population: over 30 million people.

Capital: Lima, which is located in the central part of the coast of the country and is part of a separate province of Lima-Metropolitana. More than 7 million people live in the capital.

Big cities: Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo, Cusco.

Common languages: Spanish and Quechua, as well as Aymara and some other Indian languages. English language not common, but it will be understood in hotels and many shops in the capital and on tourist routes.

Religion: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism.

Time zone and time: GMT - 5. Time differs by - 8 hours from Kyiv.

Telephone code: + 51.

National currency: new Salt (1 USD = 3 PEN)

Credit cards of payment systems: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club

Climate and average temperature

Climatic zones are very diverse - from the tropical climate in Montagna, to the arctic climate in the Sierra. The coast has a subtropical climate with very little rainfall. In mountainous areas, cool and cold climate with rainy summers and very dry winters. The eastern lowlands experience an equatorial climate with hot weather and alternating rainfall throughout the year.

The average monthly temperatures on the coast are 15-25 °C, in the Andes, on the plateaus from 5 to 16 °C, on the plains 24-27 °C. Precipitation from 700 to 3000 mm per year.

Flora and fauna

Vegetation differs depending on the region. On the western slopes of the Andes - rare shrubs and 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. The jungle grows mahogany, rubber, sarsaparilla, vanilla tree and a huge number of exotic tropical flowers, in particular orchids.

The fauna of Peru is not very rich, but it is represented interesting views. Lizards, tarantulas, scorpions live on the coastal plain. In the Sierra there are llama, alpaca, vicuña, chinchilla. Among the birds, the giant condor, partridge, duck, goose, flycatcher, and finch stand out. In the Selva, you can see exotic animals and birds: jaguars, cougars, armadillos, peccaries, tapirs, anteaters, monkeys, alligators, large parrots, piranhas, anacondas.

How to get there

Major international airlines operate regular flights to Lima, incl. KLM(change in Amsterdam), Air France(change in Paris) Iberia ( transfer in Madrid) british airways(change in London) Lufthansa(change in Frankfurt am Main), Alitalia(change in Rome), as well as L.A. Airlines is the leading airline in Latin America. International flights are served by a small but modern metropolitan George Chavez Airport, which is located 16 kilometers from Lima.

There are also international airports in the cities: Cusco, Arequipa, Piura and Iquitos.

Popular tourist sites:

In Peru, they strive not only to visit the world-famous archaeological sites of ancient cultures and colonial cities, but also to see the Peruvian Amazon, as well as to plunge into the original and mystical Indian culture.

Machu Picchu- one of the "new wonders of the world" that a real traveler will not miss. The lost city of the Incas in the mountains attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. This incredibly beautiful and energetic place was discovered in the 20th century, so it has remained practically intact. There are dozens of objects for inspection in the city: the Gate of the Sun, the Sacred Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana stone hewn in the form of a big fist with a raised index finger, as well as other Machu Picchu structures created from stone blocks.

Nazca desert - one of the most mysterious places on the ground. Until now, the mystery of giant drawings in the form of animals, geometric shapes and just lines. Most of them can be seen from the plane, and some - even from the observation deck.

Sacred Valley of the Incas - a picturesque valley formed by the Urubamba River, in the Peruvian Andes near the city of Cusco. This is a sacred place for the Incas, in which many archaeological sites are concentrated, incl. ruins of temples and other places of worship.

Sillyustani- a cemetery of the pre-Inca era, located on the shores of Lake Umayo near the city of Puno. The graves are made in the form of towers (“chulpa”) and belong to the period of existence of the Kolya kingdom, created by the Aymara people, subsequently conquered by the Incas. The area has a very unusual landscape and extremely strong energy. Ufologists from all over the world come here to observe flying objects that appear here quite often.

Cusco- one of the oldest cities in Latin America and the capital of the Inca Empire. Archaeological excavations have found that people have settled in these places for more than 3 thousand years. The name of the city, translated from the Indian language Quechua (the official language of the Inca Empire), means the Navel of the Earth. Today, the Spanish colonial style is harmoniously combined with elements of architecture from the time of the Incas.

Iquitos- one of the most picturesque cities in Peru, which is located on the banks of the Amazon River. Colonial architecture and luxurious mansions of rubber magnates of the 19th century give the city a unique look. From Iquitos you can go to the jungle, visit the local Indians - aborigines, such as Boras and Yaguas.

Lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable lake, which is located in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is the largest freshwater lake in South America. Around the lake and on the islands there are many settlements of the Aymara and Quechua Indians. Part of the population lives on the floating reed islands of Uros, which are often visited by tourists who are interested in the life and way of life of the natives.

Lima- the capital of the country, which successfully combines administrative functions and cultural heritage Spanish colonizers and ancient cultures of the pre-Columbian era. Here you can see the old mansions of the nobility in the Lima Center area, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, built in the 16th century, the Government Palace, the Plaza de San Martin, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of San Francisco, visit the Museum of the Inquisition, the Museum of Art, National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Museum of the Nation and the unique Museum of Gold, Museum of Ceramics named after Rafael Larco Herrera.

• Amazon
  River in South America, the largest in the world in terms of basin size, full flow and length river system. It is formed by the confluence of the Maranion and Ucayali rivers. The length from the main source of Maranyon is 6992.06 km, from the source of Apacheta discovered at the end of the 20th century - about 7000 km, from the source of Ucayali over 7000 km. The basin area is 7180 thousand km² (according to other sources, 6915 thousand km²). In 2011, according to the results of the world competition, the Amazon was recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
• Apurimac
  A river in South America, in Peru, the left component of the Ucayali River (Amazon basin). Length 1250 km. The area of ​​the basin is about 125 thousand km². It originates on the Puna Plateau in the Central Andes, northwest of Lake Titicaca, flows northwest in deep narrow valleys that divide the Andes ranges. Food is predominantly rain. The average flow rate is about 2.9 thousand m³/s. Most abundant in summer (December-February). Very rapid, unnavigable. Puerto Prado is located on the Apurimac River.
• Desaguadero
  The only river flowing from Lake Titicaca. Located in Peru and Bolivia. It flows from the southern part of the lake, compensating for only a third of the inflow of water into Lake Titicaca, and flows to Lake Poopo. In the upper reaches it is fresh and navigable, but, passing through saline lands, it becomes shallow and becomes salty.
• Zhavari
  River in the central part South America. It is located in the northwest of Brazil, the right tributary of the Amazon. Length - 1056 km. The source is in Peru. It originates in the Peruvian Andes (La Montagna), after which, throughout its entire length, except for the upper reaches, it serves as the border between Brazil and Peru. The river is navigable for 500 km and even further during the rainy season from January to May. The flood occurs from December to April.
• Zhurua
  Right tributary of the Amazon. The length is 3280 km, the area of ​​the river basin is 224 thousand km². The source of the river is La Montagna (Peru), in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes, in the upper reaches it flows from south to north, in the middle and lower reaches the Zhurua channel is winding, where the river crosses the Amazonian lowland through the states of Brazil - Acre (municipalities of the Cruzeiro do microregion -Sul in the mesoregion of Vali do Jurúa: Maréchal-Taumaturgo, Porto Valter, Rodrigues-Alves and Cruzeiro do Sul) and Amazonas, there, flowing in the direction to the east, it touches its largest tributary (right) - the Tarauca River, then flows to the northwest in a channel with swampy banks.
• Concordia
  Drying river in Peru and Chile. The river originates in the Andean Plateau and flows southwest several times crossing the border between Peru and Chile and flows into the Pacific Ocean 10 km north of the city Arika near the village of Chakalyuta. The river flows through the territory of the department of Tacna (Peru) and the region of Arica y Parinacota (Chile). There are practically no settlements on the banks of the river.
• Madre de Dios
  River in Peru and Bolivia, in the Amazon basin. The river has a length of about 640 kilometers. Originating in the Peruvian Andes, then on the territory of Bolivia flows from the left into the Beni River in the Madeira basin, which, in turn, flows into the Amazon. Madre de Dios is an important waterway in the upper reaches of the Amazon, on the river is the port city of Puerto Maldonado, down from which shipping begins. Agriculture is widely developed in the river valley, the main crop for cultivation is mango. Industry is also developed in the river valley, gold mining and logging are underway. Agriculture and industry create big problem for the ecology of the region.
• Mantaro
  A river in Peru, a tributary of the Apurimac, which is called the Aene below the confluence of the Mantaro. It starts at an altitude of 4080 meters. The length of the river is 724 kilometers, the basin area is 15410 km². It flows through the provinces of Junin, Yauli, Jauha, Concepción and Huancayo. In Quechua, the name of the river is "Hatunmayo", which means "great river".
• maranion
  A river in Peru, the left source of the Amazon. The length is about 2000 km, the area of ​​​​its drainage basin is about 350,000 km². Named in honor of "Captain Maranion, who was the first to open navigation on this river."
• Napo
  River in South America (Ecuador, Peru), left tributary of the Amazon. According to various sources, the length is from 800 to 2000 km (width is from 1 to 4 kilometers). It originates in the Ecuadorian Andes near the Cotopaxi volcano. The main tributaries: on the left - Coca (river) and Aguarico, on the right - Cureri. The flood of the river occurs from June to August. In the lower reaches, small ships pass through it. There are 130 islands on the river covered with young forests.
• Pastas
  A river in South America, in the northwestern part of the Amazon basin. The largest tributary of the Maranion River. Length - 710 km. It originates in the Ecuadorian province of Cotopaxi, on the northwestern slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano. In its upper reaches, the river is known as the Patate. The Patate flows in a southerly direction, crossing the border with the province of Tungurahua, on the territory of which, a little higher than the city of Baños, the river receives a tributary of Chambo, after which it is already called Pastaza.
• Purus
  The river, the right tributary of the Amazon, is about 3200 kilometers long. The source of Purus is located in Peru on the eastern slope of the Andes, but mainly the river flows through the territory of Brazil, in the Amazonian lowland in the zone of humid equatorial forests. After the rainy season in March-April, the river begins to flood.
• Putumayo
  River in South America. It is mainly located in the northwestern part of Brazil, in the upper reaches it flows through the territory of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. The length of the river is about 1800 km. It flows from northwest to southeast. It has a number of large tributaries. Falls into the Amazon. The high water period lasts from October to April-May.
• Rimac
  River in western Peru. It originates high in the Andes in the province of Lima and flows into the Pacific Ocean within the city of Lima near Jorge Chavez Airport. The length of the river is about 160 kilometers. The river got its name from the Quechua rimaq meaning "to speak", many locals call Rimak in Spanish El Río Hablador, literally meaning "talking river". This name was given, most likely, during the time of the Incas because of the great noise made by the waters of the river during high water.
• Solimões
  A section of the Amazon River in its upper reaches, from the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers, to its confluence with the Rio Negro. It flows through Peru and Brazil. The length of this section of the river is about 1600 km, the catchment area is 2,200,000 km², and the water discharge is 100,000 m³/s.
• Huallaga
  River in South America. It originates in the Andes in central Peru. The length of the river is 1134 kilometers. It flows into the Maranion river. It has a number of tributaries. The flood of the river occurs from June to August.
• Ukayali
  River in Peru, right tributary of the Amazon; sometimes Ucayali is mistaken for the source of the Amazon. The length is 1771 km, the basin area is 375 thousand km². It is formed by the confluence of the rivers Tambo (in the upper reaches - Apurimac) and Urubamba, originating in the Central Andes, after their confluence flows through the Amazonian lowland. Average flow 12600 m³/s. Navigable to the city of Kumaria. The main port is Pucallpa.
• Urubamba
  A river flowing in central Peru. Length, from the source in the Central Andes to the mouth - 725 km. Almost throughout the Urubamba - mountain river with rapids and waterfalls. Floods in December-February. It flows in deep canyons that divide the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota ranges. Above the river gorge are the ruins of the city of Machu Picchu. At the source it is called Vilcanota, merging at the mouth with the Apurimac (Tambo) River, forms the Ucayali River (Amazon basin).
• Chira
  River in Peru. The length is about 300 km. The catchment area is 19,095 km², of which 7,162 km² is in Ecuador, and 11,933 km² in Peru. It originates in the Andes. It flows into the Pacific Ocean. Poetchos Reservoir is located 27 km northeast of the city of Suliana, where swimming, fishing, water skiing and sailing are possible.

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 relic 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 coast. 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 mountain system Andes. 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.

Main political parties- "Union for Peru", "Peruvian Aprista Party", party " National Unity and 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.

Best time to visit this country - 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, is the 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 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 Peruvian National parks and nature reserves biosphere reserve Manu, the Batan Grande Ecological Reserve, and 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 represent excellent opportunity for water sports, especially for 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, inspect the ancient Indian archaeological complexes, observe unique animals and birds, get acquainted with the way of life local residents trying 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

It is located in the west of South America and borders Colombia and Ecuador in the north, Brazil and Bolivia in the east, Chile in the south, and the Pacific Ocean in the west.

The name of the country comes from the Piru River, which means "river" in the language of the local Indians.

Official name: Republic of Peru

Capital: Lima

The area of ​​the land: 1.28 million sq. km

Total population: 29.9 million people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 25 departments.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Composition of the population: 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizos, 15% are from Europe and about 3% are from Asia.

Official language: Spanish and Quechua, Aymara and other languages ​​of Indian groups.

Religion: 90% of the believing population of the country are Catholics, the rest profess Protestantism, Judaism and Islam.

Internet domain: .pe

Mains voltage: ~220 V, 60 Hz

Phone country code: +51

Country barcode: 775

Climate

Transitional from tropical in the east to tropical mountainous in the west. The average monthly temperatures on the coast are +15-25 C, in the Andes - from -5 to +16 C. Precipitation - from 700 to 3000 mm. in year. In the coastal strip (Kosta), instead of rain, the smallest drizzle sometimes falls, which is called "garya". The cold Peruvian current reduces the average annual air temperatures on the coast by an average of 6 C.

The Andes ranges create an insurmountable barrier to oceanic air masses, resulting in a contrast between the desert slopes of the Pacific coast and the forested slopes facing the Atlantic.

Up to a height of 3500 m, moderate temperatures prevail, without frost and heat, above the zone "puna" ("cold place") begins, which is characterized by a strong rarefied air, low temperatures(at altitudes above 4100 m they do not rise above 0 C) and sharp daily temperature fluctuations (sometimes up to +20 C during the day, frosts down to -12 C at night). Average annual temperature at an altitude of 4500 m. only +2 C.

The climate of the Selva is humid, tropical, with a lot of precipitation. The average annual temperature is +26 - 28 C. From November to March - the rainy season.

Geography

Peru is located in the western part of South America in the Southern Hemisphere. The country's area is 1.29 million square meters. km. Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west, Chile in the south, Bolivia in the southeast, Brazil in the northeast, Colombia in the north, and Ecuador in the northwest.

In the west of the country along the entire coast stretched desert lowlands"cost". The width of this coastal strip varies from 65 to 160 km. Further to the east begins the chain of the Peruvian Andes "sierra". They occupy almost the entire central part of the country and stretch from the northwest to the southeast.

The average height of the Sierra is about 3660 m above sea level. The Peruvian Andes consist of two ranges: Western and Eastern. The highest peak - Mount Huascaran (6768 m) - belongs to the Eastern Range. There are 14 volcanoes in the southern part of the Sierra. The most famous of them is the active volcano Misti (5822 m). In the east of the country lies the tropical plain of the Amazon "Selva", occupied by rain forests. This region occupies about 60% of the territory.

The main rivers of Peru are the Amazon and its tributaries the Marañon, the Ucayali and the Putumayo. In the southeast of the country, on the border with Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is located in a tectonic basin. This is the largest alpine navigable lake in the world, it is located at an altitude of 3812 m, its area is 8446 sq. km. Most of the lake is located in Peru.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The coastal strip is dominated by desert plants - cacti and thorny bushes. The slopes of the central Andes are covered with a dense subtropical mountain forest, which, with height, is gradually replaced by a forest of a more temperate climatic type - "sekha". The main tree of the seh is the cinchona tree. In the southern part of the Peruvian Andes, drought-resistant feather grass, short grasses and lepidophyllum shrubs grow. In the mountain valleys there are cacti, thorny legumes and deciduous broad-leaved trees. The selva is occupied by tropical rainforests. Mahogany, zedrel, rubber plants, sarsaparilla, vanilla tree and tropical flowers grow here.

Animal world

The fauna of the desert coastal strip is represented by sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, Peruvian pelicans, Inca terns, brown boobies, lizards, tarantulas and scorpions. In the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, there are tuna, sardines, haddock, bonito, swordfish, mackerel, stone bass, sole, smelt and shrimp.

In the highlands there are llama, alpaca, guanaco, vicuña, chinchilla, and on the eastern slopes - jaguars, spectacled bears and tapirs. Of the birds, the Andean condor, ibis, partridge, duck, goose, flycatcher and finches live here. The selva is inhabited by tropical animals - jaguar, cougar, armadillo, peccary, tapir, anteater, several species of monkeys, alligator and several species of snakes.

Attractions

Peru is one of the most interesting countries peace. Numerous monuments of the pre-European period are concentrated here - the cultures of Kilki, Lurche, Nazca, Mochica, Chavan, Chan-Chan, Chimu, Tiahuanco and, of course, Inca. Wonderful nature- the great Andes and the "green hell" of the Amazon valley, the sand dunes of the Pacific coast and the relict lake-sea of ​​Titicaca, the mysterious Nazca petroglyphs and high mountain deserts - all this is concentrated on a relatively small territory of this country.

• Paracas
• Lake Titicaca
• Tukume
• Chan Chan
• Reserve "Pacaya Samiriya"
• Colca Canyon
• Lake Yarinacocha
• Ollantaytambo
• Pisak
• Ruins of Karala
• Tiahuanaco
• Huascaran

Banks and currency

The official currency of Peru is the new sol. 1 new sol is equal to 100 centimes. In circulation there are banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 new soles and coins of 1, 2 and 5 new soles, as well as 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes.

Some shops, hotels and restaurants accept US dollars. US dollars are the easiest currency to exchange, with large commissions when exchanging other currencies. Foreign money can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, hotels and airports. The most favorable exchange rate is in exchange offices, the least favorable - in hotels. Be sure to keep foreign currency exchange receipts before leaving the country, they are necessary for the reverse exchange of unused new salts.

Credit cards are widely accepted in the main tourist centers of Peru. Traveler's checks are most often not accepted for payment, but they are quite easy to exchange.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, some are open on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00.

Useful information for tourists

Peru is one of the safest countries in South America for tourists. However, you need to be careful when visiting crowded places - such as, for example, city markets. Luggage, handbags, photo and video cameras must always be held by hand.

Tips (approximately 10% of the cost) in bars, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels are already included in the bill.