Peru, A Proud Destination
Six years ago I recall asking a Peruvian farmer, “How do you feel sir, about foreigners coming to visit your Peru?”
His response was, “if we Peruvians have so much to offer, so much to see here that is unique, that people come from around the world to see Peru, it must be a special place.”
He went on by saying “it makes me feel proud to be from a region(Andean region) that has so much to offer” and “ the fact that people are coming from all over the world to see our way of life, really helps to build confidence in ourselves and in our country.”
Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Perú is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future.
Peruvians are a proud people. They are proud of their history, culture and country in general. The region offers an almost limitless array of cultural and historical thrills for the diligent traveler. By visiting Peru, you would be helping build local confidence as well as supporting this growing local economy.
“Peru is a proud country because every time a visitor comes to travel in Peru, overall local confidence is boosted”. Sean Travis, director Adventures to Peru.
Machu Picchu was selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in August, 2007.
Peru is home to the once formidable Inca Empire.
The baffling Nazca Lines are some of the worlds most mysterious, which are found in the deserts of southern Peru.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake and highest tropical lake in the world. It is shared between Peru and Bolivia.
The two deepest canyons in the world belong to Peru, Cotihuasi and Colca Canyons.
The Gocta waterfall at Cocachimba found in the cloud forests of northern Peru is the third highest in the world.
Caral, the oldest city in the Americas at 5,000 years, is located on the central coast of Peru.
The exotic seafood dish ‘Ceviche’ is Peruvian.
Pisco, the unique and distinguished white grape brandy, is Peruvian.
The potato, which comes in over 2,000 varieties, is Peruvian.
“Andean Maca” and the “Huanarpo macho”, key components of Viagra are Peruvian roots.
The Llama, Alpaca and Vicuña, which produce some of the finest wools in the world, are Peruvian.
In Peru, there exist more species of birds than any other country: More than 1800 varieties.
In Peru, there exist 84 of the 117 ecological micro-climates in the world, and 28 of the 32 climactic zones on the world.
One of the tributaries to the Amazon River, The Madre de Dios river, is home to the Shihuahuaco tree. Scientists found 5,000 specimens of insects, 80% of which where new to modern science.
The Peruvian oceans are abundant, offering 700 different varieties of fish and 400 varieties of shellfish.
Peru is the #1 producer of gold, lead and zinc in Latin America. Antimina, the 3rd largest mine in the world is in Ancash, Peru.
The University of San Marcos in Lima Peru is the oldest in the Americas.
North American Alfred Gossell caught the largest black marlin ever registered, at 1,560 pounds, in Northern Peru Fellow American Kimberly Wiss still holds the world record for largest marlin ever caught by a woman, at 1,525 lbs, also landed in Peru.