According to payhelpcenter, Peru is one of the most interesting countries in the world. 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. Amazing 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.
Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America (length over 194 km, width 65 km, depth up to 304 m) and the largest alpine navigable reservoir in the world (area 8287 sq. km).
Colca Canyon is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest in the world.
In the spurs of the Sierra, from the small glacial lake Laurikocha, the most abundant river in the world, the Amazon, originates.
Sacsayhuaman is one of the most colossal stone structures in the world – the weight of the largest block of which the walls of this structure are composed reaches 360 tons.
The world’s largest clay city is Chan Chan (the ancient capital of the state of Chimu, XI-XV centuries AD). Its area is about 75 sq. km.
Capital: Lima.
Geography:
State in the western part of South America. 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 (one of the largest countries in Latin America).
Peru at first glance is a typical Andean country, where high snow-capped peaks and bare rocks of ancient volcanoes coexist with the green areas of the Selva. However, for all its similarities with other states of the region, it is one of the most diverse countries of the continent in terms of nature. The nature of this land is quite contrasting – here you can find lifeless areas of an arid desert, and a “green cover” of evergreen forests, and transparent mountain lakes, and majestic volcanic landscapes.
Climate:
It differs greatly depending on the region: in Lima it is humid, with an average annual air temperature of + 18-19 ° C, in the highlands it is dry and quite mild. The dry season lasts from May to October, the rainy season from November to April. The northernmost parts of the coast boast sunny weather all year round (about +35°C in summer). The jungles of Peru have a tropical humid climate.
Language:
Spanish and Quechua (state), Aymara and other languages of Indian groups. In the interior, especially in the selva and in the mountains, almost everyone understands Spanish, but very few people often speak it. In the tourism sector, English is mostly understood, in the provinces it is almost impossible to find a Peruvian who speaks it.
Population:
About 27.5 million people, of which 45% are Quechua and Aymara Indians, 37% are mestizos, 15% are from Europe and about 3% are from Asia. The Sierra and Selva are inhabited by Indian tribes belonging to various linguistic groups, there are more than 700 tribes and large tribal groups, the exact number of which is unknown.
State system:
Presidential republic. The head of state and government is the president, who is elected for a term of 5 years.
Administratively, the country is divided into 24 departments and 1 constitutional province of Callao.
Religion:
The vast majority of Peruvians consider themselves followers of Roman Catholic Christianity.
Money:
New Sol (international designation – PEN, domestically – S /), 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.
The US dollar has practically free circulation. However, there is a clearly undervalued exchange rate for certain series of banknotes of old issues, and in some places they refuse to accept new, but crumpled banknotes for payment.
Currency exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at numerous exchange offices (“casas de cambio”), hotels (high commission), shops and banks. Preference is given to US dollars, the currency of other countries can be exchanged only in large banks of the capital. Damaged and dilapidated banknotes are often not accepted for exchange. You should keep the foreign currency exchange receipt before leaving the country – it will be used to reverse the exchange of unspent salt into foreign currency.
It is recommended to ask for as many small banknotes as possible when exchanging currency – in the interior of the country, and often in large cities of the periphery, shop owners, waiters and taxi drivers refuse to accept large banknotes under the pretext of lack of change. In large supermarkets in Lima, when buying on a cash receipt, two prices are beaten off – in US dollars and in salts. Such a check can be paid in dollars, but the change will be given in soles at the bank rate (a good way to exchange currency without commission).
Approximate exchange rate
New Peruvian Sol (PEN) / United States Dollar (USD)
1 USD = 2.79 PEN
10 PEN = 3.59 USD
New Peruvian Sol (PEN) / Euro (EUR)
1 EUR = 3.87 PEN
10 PEN = 2.58 EUR
Time:
Behind Moscow by 8 hours.
Official holidays and days off in Brazil:
January 1 – New Year.
April-May – Good Friday and Easter.
May 1 – Labor Day.
June 29 – Day of Saints Peter and Paul.
July 28 and 29 – Independence Day.
August 30 – Santa Rosa, the Day of the Holy Rose of Lima, the patroness of the Peruvian capital.
October 8 – Day of the Battle of Angamos.
November 1 – All Saints Day.
December 8 – Immaculate Conception.
December 25 – Christmas.