Peru lies in the western part of the South American continent. Being one of the larger countries in South America, Peru also has the highest sand dune in the world.
A way of life
To know more about the Peru culture, it is important to understand that the “Inca Empire” once ruled Peru. Though the empire grew fast, the Spaniards conquered them in middle of the 16th century. The Spanish Invasion made Spanish one of the official languages of Peru along with Quechua, a language of the Inca empire. Since “Peruvians” are a blend of diverse cultures —American Indians, Spaniards, Europeans, Africans and Asians, they have impacted the Peruvian lifestyle.
For instance, in the 16 th century, the Spaniards were responsible for bringing about the concept of writing to Peru. Art is a way of life in Peru. Their textiles, jewellery, pottery and sculpture have its roots in the pre-Inca periods. The Incas built the old city of Machu Picchu (in Andes) and also preserved traditional art forms. Peruvians also take pride in their music drawn from Spain, Andes and Africa.
Costa (coast): The coast forms the western part of Peru and extends a long way with deserts, beaches and lush valleys. The main food is seafood and plantains.
Sierra (highlands): The Andes Mountains or the highlands divide the western and eastern part of Peru. Temperature varies from moderate to freezing. The staple is meat, corn, potatoes.
Selva (jungles): In the eastern part of the country is the Amazon rainforest. It enjoys tropical weather conditions and heavy rainfall. You can travel into the rainforest mainly by river. They mostly eat fresh water fish, tropical fruits, ceviche - a dish made from fish marinated in a spicy sauce is a delicacy of Peru.
