Facts, statistics and information about Peru
Peru is like an adventure without end. The stories keep popping up in the tale of the marvelous, South American land of happiness. Where else do you find a place where moist rainforest clings to snow-capped mountains, which by the way rise in the middle of a lush, green natural landscape?
Take all the time you can to Peru. There must be time to experience the lushness of the Amazon, the wildlife and the culture of the indigenous people. Of course, you will not get around Peru’s pride, the mysterious Inca Empire, Machu Picchu.
Below you can read a lot more about Peru so you are fully prepared when your departure date originates. What is the name of the capital? What language do the Peruvians speak? Which currency should you exchange to?
Main facts about Peru
| Capital city: | Lima |
| Area: | 1,285,000 km2 |
| Population: | 32.17 million (2017) |
| Language: | Spanish, Quechua and other native languages |
| Religion: | Catholic (81%), Seventh-day Adventist Church (2%), others / none (17%) |
| Currency: | Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN) 1 DKK = 0.5 PEN |
Flag
The current flag of Peru was introduced in 1825. The colors of the flag are red and white. The red color symbolizes the blood of the patriots, and the white color symbolizes purity and peace.
In some cases, Peru’s national coat of arms is also located in the center of the flag. The national coat of arms has three fields. One field contains wood and another contains the animal vicuña, which is related to the llama and alpaca. The last field is a cornucopia.
Geography
| Capital city: | Lima |
| Area: | 1,285,000 km2 |
| Continent: | South America |
| Time zone: | Peruvian Standard Time GMT-5 |
| Limits to: | Ecuador , Columbia , Brazil, Bolivia and Chile |
| Largest cities: | Lima, Trujillo, Arequipa, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos |
Demographics
| Population: | 32.17 million (2017) |
| Population density: | 25 people / km2 (2017) |
| Population growth: | 1.2% / year |
| Language: | Spanish, Quechua and other native languages |
| Religion: | Catholic (81%), Seventh-day Adventist Church (2%), others / none (17%) |
Entry
| Currency: | Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN) 1 DKK = 0.5 PEN |
| Vaccinations: | Hepatitis A, Diphtheria and Tetanus |
| Passport & Visa: | Passports must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry. The first 90 days of stay are visa free. |
| Insurance: | Remember travel insurance. Neither yellow nor just health cards can be used in Peru. |
| Travel time: | May to October is the driest period |
Mini-phrasebook
| Hi | Hello |
| Goodbye | Goodbye |
| Yes | Sí |
| No | No |
| Thanks | Thank you |
| Bon appetite | Nothing |
| Do you speak English? | Do you speak English? |
| Excuse me | Disculpe |
Questions from the travelers
Is it safe to travel to Peru?
Yes. Peru does a lot to make the travel experience to Peru safe and secure for tourists. This also makes Peru one of the safest countries in South America. If you take some simple precautions and use your common sense, you can take a trip to Peru calmly and safely.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Peru?
The peak season in Peru is from June to September, when it is dry and hot. However, Peru extends over three geographical zones, which provides an extremely varied climate, so always check the specific area you want to travel to.
What vaccinations should I get?
There are a number of vaccinations you must have before traveling to Peru. The number of vaccines depends on how long you have planned to be there. Most people are advised for Hepatitis A, Diphtheria-Tetanus, Malaria and Yellow Fever. We recommend that you look atikkerrejse.dk , where you can get the complete overview of vaccines.
How is the food in Peru?
Peruvian cuisine has gained great popularity in large parts of the world – and is one of the big reasons why Peru won the “World Travel Report” in 2014. The food is quite varied – and is primarily characterized by the fact that it is based a lot on the local ingredients.
Can you travel to Peru with children?
Yes – you can easily do that. Peru offers beautiful, amazing and fascinating phenomena that will impress both children and adults. It is of course important that one’s children are armed with a little patience, as there can be both driving, walking and waiting time for some of the great experiences.
What is the Inca Empire?
Long stories could be written about the impressive Inca Empire, which was formed as far back as the 12th century. The Inca Empire was the largest empire in South America and originated in the Peruvian highlands. When you visit Machu Picchu it is the best preserved Inca town – here you get the most authentic experience of what the Inca Empire was like.
Is there only one route to Machu Picchu?
No – there are many beautiful routes to Machu Picchu. Most people only know the classic (Inkastien), which therefore has restrictions on how many tourists can go on it. At Kipling Travel, however, we know that there are just as beautiful and amazing alternatives as we offer travelers.
What is the difference between a llama and an alpaca?
If you visit Peru, you can see both llamas and alpacas, both of which are strong features of Peru and the Inca Empire. However, it can be difficult to spot the difference between them. Below you will find some basic tips to help you get the most out of them.
- The ears: Alpacas have large leaf-shaped ears, while llamas have small pointed ears
- The size: Alpacas are often smaller (about 1 meter), while llamas are often about 1.8 meters
- The coat: Alpacas have a finer, softer coat. The llamas’ fur is coarser and hairy.
- The face: The alpacas have a smaller face (more closely covered by their fur), while the llamas have a higher face and a slightly more bristling nose
- Both llamas and alpacas spit, but they usually do so only when they are stressed, scared or angry – and they very rarely spit on humans
