Useful info about Peru
National
name: Republica del Peru
Capital city: Lima, 8.769 million
President:Pedro Plablo Kuczynski (2016)
Prime Minister:Fernando Zavala (2016)
Land area: 494,208 sq mi (1,279,999 sq km); total area: 496,223 sq mi (1,285,220 sq km)
Population (2012 est.): 30 814 175 (growth rate: 1.92%); birth rate: 19.13/1000
Infant Mortality rate: 21.3/1000, life expectancy: 72.73
Monetary unit: Sol (2016)
Languages: Spanish, Qu©chua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
Ethnicity/race: Amerindian 45%, Mestizo 37%, White 15%, Black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religion: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 est.)
Capital city: Lima, 8.769 million
President:Pedro Plablo Kuczynski (2016)
Prime Minister:Fernando Zavala (2016)
Land area: 494,208 sq mi (1,279,999 sq km); total area: 496,223 sq mi (1,285,220 sq km)
Population (2012 est.): 30 814 175 (growth rate: 1.92%); birth rate: 19.13/1000
Infant Mortality rate: 21.3/1000, life expectancy: 72.73
Monetary unit: Sol (2016)
Languages: Spanish, Qu©chua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
Ethnicity/race: Amerindian 45%, Mestizo 37%, White 15%, Black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religion: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 est.)
Etymology
The word Peru is derived from Bir, the name of a local ruler who
lived near the Bay of San Miguel Panama, in the early 16th century. When his
lands were visited by Spanish explorers in 1522, they were in the southernmost
part of the New World not yet known to Europeans. Thus, when Francisco Pizarro
explored the regions farther south, they came to Bir or Peru. The Spanish Crown
gave the name legal status with the 1529 Capitulac in de Toledo, which
designated the newly encountered Inca Empire as the province of Peru under
Spanish rule, the country adopted the denomination Viceroyalty of Peru, which
became Republic of Peru after the Peruvian War of Independence.
Geography
Peru covers 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi). It borders Ecuador
and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile
to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Andes Mountains run
parallel to the Pacific Ocean; they define the three regions traditionally used
to describe the country geographically. The costa (coast), to the west, is a
narrow plain, largely arid except for valleys created by seasonal rivers. The
sierra (highlands) is the region of the Andes; it includes the Altiplano
plateau as well as the highest peak of the country, the 6,768 m (22,205 ft)
Huascarán. The third region is the selva (jungle), a wide expanse of flat
terrain covered by the Amazon rainforest that extends east. Almost 60% of the
country’s area is located within this region.
Climate
Climate varies according to the area. On the coast, winter lasts
from June to September. During this period, the mountainous areas are often
sunny during the day but cold at night.
Culture
Peruvian culture is primarily rooted in Amerindian and Spanish
traditions, though it has also been influenced by various African, Asian, and
European ethnic groups. Peruvian artistic traditions date back to the elaborate
pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculpture of Pre-Inca cultures. The Incas
maintained these crafts and made architectural achievements including the
construction of Machu Picchu. Baroque dominated colonial art, though modified
by native traditions. During this period, most art focused on religious
subjects; the numerous churches of the era and the paintings of the Cusco
School are representative. Art stagnated after independence until the emergence
of Indigenismo in the early 20th century. Since the 1950s, Peruvian art has
been eclectic and shaped by both foreign and local art trends.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and
5-star hotels).
Entry RequirementsPassport needed. Visas are required only from the following countries: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bulgaria, Russia, Pakistan, India, and China. Vaccines are necessary only if travelers are visiting areas where there is an epidemic such as yellow fever and hepatitis B.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Peru. Although other Andean regions predominant language is Quechua.
Currency
The local currency is the Nuevo Sol. At the time of this writing, the exchange rate (which can fluctuate daily) was 2.85 sols to the US dollar.
Tipping
Most restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill, but some do not. The total tip should be about 15 percent.
What to bring
Regardless of the time of year and place it is advisable to visit during your stay in the peru carry warm clothes, baggy pants, cotton shirts sports footwear hiking shoes a good sunscreen and hat.
Health
If you going to travel to the Andes, it is almost impossible to avoid altitude sickness or mountain sickness for not much feel these altitude sickness rest on the first day of his arrival, eat light meals, drink plenty of fluids, coca tea can you help a lot, have lemon drops, if you have heart disease consult your doctor before making the trip.
If you are traveling to the jungle is recommended that you get vaccinated against yellow fever 10 days before your trip we recommend at least protect yourself from mosquito bites and the use of repellents and medications, consult your doctor before traveling.
CUSCO: Information
Qusqu or Qosqo, Cusco: is a city in southeastern Peru, near the
Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco
Region as well as the Cusco Province. In 2009, the city had a population of
348,935 which was triple the figure of 20 years ago. Located on the eastern end
of the Knot of Cusco, its elevation is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft).
Cusco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. It is a major tourist destination and receives almost 2 million visitors a year. It is designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru.
Cusco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. It is a major tourist destination and receives almost 2 million visitors a year. It is designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru.
What do you need to move around Cusco.
Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico) this ticket costs 130 soles approx. US$47 (half price S/. 70 for students with ASIC Card) and is valid for 10 days.
Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico) this ticket costs 130 soles approx. US$47 (half price S/. 70 for students with ASIC Card) and is valid for 10 days.
The best way to get entry tickets for almost all sites in the
Cusco area and Sacred Valley is to purchase a Boleto Turistico.
The sights are divided into three circuits. Each circuit can be
purchased separately or all together as a General Ticket.
Where to eat in Cusco.
Greens Organic Vegetarian Food Santa Catalina angosta Street 135 2° floor
Govinda Vegetarian Food Espaderos Street Plaza de armas
Deva Vegetarian and Tipical Food San Agustín Street 280
La Yerbateria Vegetarian Food Santa Teresa Street
El Cholandes Vegetarian – Asian – Ductch – Indian Choquechaca Street 188
The Meeting Place Vegetarian-American food and Coofe Plaza San Blas
Map Café Coofe Bar, Art
Museo Plaza Nazarenas 231
Pacha Papa Tipical Food, Meat, Guinea Pigs Plazoleta de San Blas
Inka Grill Tipical Food, Meats and Guinea Pigs Portal de Panes Plaza de Armas
El truco Tipical Food and criolla Plaza Nazarenas
Limo Tipical Foods, Meats and fishes Portal de Carnes Plaza de Armas
Paititi Tipical and International Foods Plaza de Armas
Tunupa Tipical and Criolla foods plaza de armas
Pacha Papa Tipical Food, Meat, Guinea Pigs Plazoleta de San Blas
Inka Grill Tipical Food, Meats and Guinea Pigs Portal de Panes Plaza de Armas
El truco Tipical Food and criolla Plaza Nazarenas
Limo Tipical Foods, Meats and fishes Portal de Carnes Plaza de Armas
Paititi Tipical and International Foods Plaza de Armas
Tunupa Tipical and Criolla foods plaza de armas
Where to shop in Cusco.
In these markets you
will find handmade alpaca fiber textiles and crafts at a very low price.
Centro de Textiles Cusco Avenida el Sol 603
Centro Artesanal Cusco Avenida el Sol (Final)
Craft Fairs in the
Sacred Valley Pisaq, Ollantaytabo and
Chinchero
What can i do in my free time in cusco
San Pedro Market Plaza San Pedro
Museo Inka Cuesta
del Almirante Plaza de Armas
Barrio de
artesanos San Blas San
Blas
Theme Park of South American Camelids: AWANACANCHA , is located 23 km from
the Cusco City in the district of Taray.
Exhibition Alpacas, Llamas, Vicuna in
their natural habitat and conducting tissue extracted fibers of these animals,
it is also possible to see agricultural terraces of the Inca and flora of the
area.
How to get: By car 45 minutes
Ask for this tour
Botanical Garden Plaza San Francisco: It includes 250 taxa,
indicating the Latin name, synonyms Latinos, common names, botanical family,
plant longevity, with the number of crops, their origin. Food and
medicinal plants.
South Valley of Cusco: Tipon archaeological complex,
Andahuaylillas and Pikillaqta. This
circuit will take you through beautiful natural landscapes, Inca architecture
in Tipon, architecture pre - Inca Wari Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas visiting its beautiful chapel,
known as the "Sistine Chapel of America"
How to get: By car 1 hour
Ask for
this tour