Facts About Peru

Peru is a country in western South America that borders Cambodia, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean. Peru is most famous for being the home of the Inca Empire from the 15th century. Peru is also home to many different ethnic groups today and is known as a major historical and cultural site. It wasn’t until July 28, 1819 until Peru became a nation of its own. The capital and largest city in Peru is Lima and the official language is Spanish. They have a population of almost 30 million which is the 41st biggest in the world.

Here are 15 interesting facts about Peru that you might not have known:

• If you are from Peru then your nationality is Peruvian.
• The life expectancy at birth for people in Peru is 69.84. This is due to the poverty in the country and the lack of doctors.
• The largest ethnic group in Peru is the Amerindian, followed closely by the Mestizo and white.
• 90% of people in Peru belong to the Roman Catholic religion.
• The literacy rate in Peru is 90.9% which is impressive for a country with so much poverty.
• Peru was the homeland of the Inca Empire until 1533 when it was taken over by Spanish conquistadores.
• Peru ranked 79 out of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Index in 2005. This was an improvement of 6 places since 2004’s ranking of 85.
• Peru’s most famous sport is Soccer, but they also enjoy tennis, surfing, beach volleyball, and sailing.
• In west Peru there are some desert lands, where in the east it is a very tropical climate
• Peru’s natural resources are silver, gold, copper, timber, fish, petroleum, coal, iron, ore, phosphate, potash, hydropower, and natural gas.
• Peru has to deal with natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanic activity, and mudslides.
• Peru has 246 airports. That’s more than it has ever had before. This is a good sign for the economy.
• Unfortunately, the country only has 1 heliport.
• Peru features over of 3000 kilometers of railway.
• Peru is home to the famous Lake Titicaca.

Peruvians are very proud of their cultural heritage as they should be. The Inca Empire is one of the most spectacular historical sites on earth, right up there with the pyramids.