National name: Republica del Peru

President: Alan Garcia (2006)

Prime Minister: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2005)

Capital: Lima, 8,180,000 (metro. area), 7,029,928 (city proper)

Other large cities: Arequipa, 837,300; Trujillo, 725,200; Chiclayo, 598,400

Languages: Spanish, Quechua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages

Ethnicity/race:: Amerindian 45%, mestizo 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Religion: Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Christian 1%, unspecified or none 16% (2003 est.)

Currency and Exchange: The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol.

The most acceptable foreign currency is the American dollar, preferably cash as travellers cheques are more difficult to exchange. The present exchange rate is One American dollar = 3.48 Nuevos Soles

Documentation: People who arrive from European countries or US do not need a visa.

Customs:

Arrival - On arriving in Peru it is necessary to fill in a customs declaration, on which is listed the objects which carry duty. These are listed on the back of the document. The articles which are of free entry into the country are those normal to any traveller.

Departure - It is absolutely prohibited to take out objects of pre Colombian art, although some locations freely sell them. Also, it is not advisable to take leaves of coca, even though it is not specifically prohibited. In the country, the consumption of coca leaves is normal and the leaves are sold legally to make tea or to chew. Departure with this product can lead to a 'fright' or cause some loss of time at customs.

Local time: The time difference between Peru and Greenwich Meridian is five or six hours, depending on the yearly season: The Hour in Peru remains the same throughout the year.

Electrical Current: The electrical current is 220 volts.

Vaccinations: Yellow Fever - a vaccine certificate is needed only for some jungle regions, such as Puerto Maldonado.

Health: It is not advisable to drink the water in any city in Peru. The Peruvians boil their own water from the fountans or only drink bottled water.

City water can, nevertheless, be used in showers and for brushing your teeth without any problems whatsoever.

The 'Soroche' or the effect of the altitude is another point to keep in mind when you travel to a country of such high altitude such as Peru. In General, altitudes higher than 3,000 metres, with people who are not accustomed to such heights, can produce a sensation of queasiness and general weakness, accompanied by headaches, as a consequence of a lower concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere.

The effect of high altitudes can be experienced in the regions of the highest altitudes in the country, such as Cusco and Puno.

Geographic Situation: Peru covers 1,285,216 Km2. It embraces three regions: coast, mountain range and jungle.

Coast - The coast is 2,500 Km in length, with a maximum width of 200 Km to the north and 40 Km to the south: The greatest concentration of the population is centred in the south.

Mountain Range - The Andes, the mountainous range, which is the most extensive in the world, cuts through Peru from north to south.

Jungle - This enormous region, lush and green as no other, is the region that is the least populated of Peru.

Climate:

Climate: One finds, in Peru, almost all of the climates of the world. It is curious that the difference of relief can modify the climate of a region.

The climate of the coastal region (Lima, Trujillo) - From April to September is the coldest period. It is hot in the summer mornings and between the end of December and March the sky is clear. During the night, it can become somewhat cool, thereby making it necessary to wear a jacket.

The climate of the Andes (Mountains) - There are two distinct seasons, marked by the presence or lack of rain. The rainy season is between November and March, with frequent and heavy rainfall which can last some hours, especially during the afternoon. The altitude and the almost constant presence of clouds avoid the temperatures becoming too hot. although it is summer in the southern hemisphere. The dry season is characterised by a blue sky during the day. The temperatures remain comfortable while there is sunshine, but it is generally cool at sunrise and sunset.

Jungle Climate (Amazon Rain Forest) - As in the Hight Andes (mountains), there are also two seasons: one from November to May, during which it rains practically every day, for various hours, and another from June to October, known as the dry season, when heavy but short periods of rain can fall. The climate of the jungle is essentially characterised by humidity that varies from between 80% to 100%, depending on the seasons, and the temperature, which varies little, is on average about 28oC.

Peru is without doubt the most fascinating country in South America. Its astonishing cultural heritage and incredible natural diversity is simply unmatched. Thanks to its strategic location, Peru is a privileged destination for tourism and with ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, that combines with one of the richest biodiversities on Earth.

Peru's outstanding variety of climates and eco-systems places the country amongst the world's top eight nations in terms of biodiversity, where of the 104 life zones that exist on the planet, Peru is home to 84. With more than 400 species of mammals, 300 species of reptiles, 1,700 species of birds and more than 50,000 plants registered to date, Peru is a remarkable destination for all who are interested in the natural world.

The First Inhabitants:

It is believed that the peruvian territory was populated since 8,000 B.C. by Asian migrating populations, however, we can not talk about a cultural unit because of the registered culture succession since 2,500 B.C., which it first passed through a primitive agriculture and cattle period; it was affirmed the ceramics period in the X Century B.C. The well developed Chavin culture from Huantar, characterized by its great ceremonial buildings and the practice of an evolved culture is one of the first testimonies. At the IV century already was recorded a higher development degree of cultures settled in its territories (Chimu and Nazca), which stand out because of their textile, metallurgy and higher technology irrigation system.

In the VI century A.D. we had the Tiahuanaco Culture. In the XII century A.D. a "quechua" language town was born which was managed by soveraigns called Incas, with poulations which migrated from the Titicaca Lake's banks to Cusco, organization which attained in short time a great territorial expansion.

The Inca Age:

The Incas settled down its Empire capital in Cusco City. The Empire was managed by a government system under the Inca's royal tutelage, who was confered with divine powers and enjoyed a great respect. Their religion was monotheist, governed by the Wiracocha god image; this was a laborious and intelligent town which dominated mathematics, astronomy, architecture and ceramics. The stood out in hydraulics and were great farmers and makers of their environment, cultivating their land through the terrace system, called "andenes" (platforms).

In their social structure, there were well defined social categories, the lands were Inca's property and had the "ayllu" as economic unit, organized as per blood links, parent relationship or common forefathers.

The three great and outstanding ones, were Pachacutec, who greatly extended the Empire because of his conquests; Tupac Yupanqui, who established the inspection system in his domains; and Huayna Capac, who conquested the Quito Zone.

The Conquest:

Even when the Inca Empire still had not reached its maturity and was weakened by the Civil War between Huascar and Atahualpa, it took place the Spanish colonization; this, after several attempts, began in 1531 in a movement managed by Francisco Pizarro, who took as prisoner Atahualpa in the year 1532 and killed him on the next year, at the same time spaniards entered to Cusco, what took place on January 15, 1533.

There are few countries on Earth that can match Peru in offering such a variety of significant cultural and ethnic backgrounds to one of the most diverse and complex geographies on Earth. This characteristic gave rise in Peru to some of the world's greatest ancient civilizations, and is what makes Peru today a fascinating country for visitors from around the world.