Just got back from a 10 day trip to Peru.
What a diverse country – in terms of landscape, ecology, food… Here are some interesting facts about Peru followed by some photos.
- Twice the size of Texas
- Birthplace of potatoes. Still has the best potatoes in the world. 3800 different varieties. Value of annual world potato harvest is more than all the gold stolen from Peru by the Spaniards.
- 90 different microclimates, including 30 of the 32 world climates, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world in microclimates.
- 60% of the country is Amazonian rainforest.
- 1 of the first 6 civilizations that arose independently of each other – Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley (Harappa), China Andes, and Mesoamerica
- Highest sand dune in the world – Cerro Blanco
- Deepest canyon in the world – Cotahuasi (twice as deep as Grand Canyon)
- Highest navigable lake in the world – Titicaca
- The Quechua were masters of astronomy and defined constellations in light as well as dark. The people we call Incas call themselves Quechua, which is also the name given to the language they speak. In Quechua, “Inca” means “lord” and was the word used to describe their leader.
