Fact 1: The Home of the Largest Flying Bird
Peru is home to the Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan. With a wingspan reaching up to 3.2 meters, this majestic bird primarily lives in the Andes mountains, feeding on the carcasses of large mammals.
Fact 2: A Country with Abundant Wildlife
Peru is an incredibly biodiverse country with thousands of different species of flora and fauna. It boasts over 1,800 species of birds, more than 500 species of mammals and over 300 species of reptiles. Some rare and interesting species include the vicuna (a relative of the llama) and the spectacled bear – the only bear indigenous to South America.
Fact 3: The Lima Bean's Birthplace
Lima beans do not originate from Lima, Peru's capital, as many people might assume. However, they have been cultivated in Peru for more than 7,000 years and are a typical component of Peruvian dishes.
Fact 4: The Potato's Ancestral Homeland
Peru is the birthplace of the potato. The country cultivates over 3,000 different types of potatoes. Historically, this root vegetable was widely used in Peru, and not just as food: ancient Peruvians also used potatoes for healing broken bones.
Fact 5: Peru's Ancient Water Management System
The Nazca people, who lived in Peru from 1 AD to 700 AD, developed sophisticated irrigation techniques. They constructed underground aqueducts that are still functional today, demonstrating their extensive understanding of hydraulic engineering.
Fact 6: Home to the Highest Sand Dune
Located in southern Peru, Cerro Blanco is the highest sand dune in the world, standing at approximately 3,860 feet. Some adventurous travelers visit this dune for sandboarding, an exciting sport similar to snowboarding but on sand dunes.
Fact 7: It Has a Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, is a natural wonder in Peru. Its slopes and peaks are striped with hues of lavender, turquoise, and gold due to the mineralogical composition present in the soil and atmospheric conditions.
Fact 8: The Mystery of Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are massive geoglyphs that stretch across the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. These designs include animals, plants, humans, and geometric shapes, and many are only fully visible from the air. The purpose and means of construction of these lines by the ancient Nazca culture remain a mystery.
Fact 9: The Amazon and Peru
Peru contains about 13% of the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest rainforest. The Amazon River, the second longest river globally, flows through the country, nurturing an abundance of plant and animal life.
Fact 10: A Sanctuary for Pink Dolphins
Peru's Amazon River is home to the Amazon Pink River Dolphin, which is known for its distinct pink color. These unique dolphins are a major draw for eco-tourists looking to explore Peru’s incredible biodiversity.
Fact 11: The Lost City of the Incas
Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, was once the largest city in the Americas. During the height of the Inca Empire, it was filled with gold palaces, temples, and statues.
Fact 12: Lake Titicaca, A Lake That Floats
Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, has floating islands. The Uros people have lived on these artificial islands, made from the totora reed, for centuries.
Fact 13: The Weirdest Festival – The Festival of Scissors
In the Andean region in Peru, the Danza de las Tijeras (Scissors Dance) is a traditional dance where performers accomplish amazing acrobatics, each holding a pair of scissors made of forged steel.
Fact 14: The Ancient Festival of Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, was one of the most important ceremonies for the Inca Empire. Today, it's reenacted annually in Cusco on June 24 with hundreds of actors portraying events from Inca history.
Fact 15: Peruvian Pisco
Pisco, a type of grape brandy, is the national alcoholic drink of Peru. It's the base ingredient in the Pisco Sour, a popular Peruvian cocktail featuring egg white, lime juice, and bitters.
Fact 16: The White City of Peru
Arequipa, known as "The White City," is famous for its buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic rock, which give the city its nickname and unique charm.
Fact 17: Bats in the Nazca Lines
One of the Nazca Lines' most distinctive images is a detailed depiction of a bat. Bats were greatly appreciated in Nazca culture, as they were believed to be responsible for the pollination of fruit-bearing plants.
Fact 18: Coca Leaves Are Legal
Unlike many countries in the world, the cultivation, sale, and consumption of coca leaves are legal in Peru. Coca leaves have been a part of Peruvian culture for thousands of years and have medicinal uses, including alleviating altitude sickness.
Fact 19: Ancient Skull Surgery
Ancient Peruvians practiced trepanation, a surgical procedure that involves drilling holes in the skull, for both medical and ritualistic purposes. They were incredibly successful, and many patients were able to survive and heal from the primitive brain surgery.
Fact 20: The Bridge Made of Grass
Every year, local communities come together to rebuild the Q'eswachaka Rope Bridge in Cusco. This ancient tradition has been carried out for nearly 600 years, and the bridge is made entirely from woven grass. It's a unique and tangible link to the country's Inca past.