Peru is situated on the western coast of South America, bordered by Ecuador and Columbia in the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the South. It is the 3th largest country on the continent, after Brazil and Argentina, and is the 20th largest country in the world.
Renowned for the ancient Andean civilizations, such as the Incas, it is easily forgotten that Peru is home to many natural wonders also. A mountainous country; the rugged, snow-capped Andes mountain range covers approximately 40% of the land, whilst the rivers and jungles of the Peruvian Amazon in the east, and the rocky and arid narrow coastline in the west also warrant mention. Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America, can also be found here.
To protect the landscape, the Peruvian government have designated a range of protected areas, comprising 10% of the total land mass. This includes seven national parks, eight national reserves, seven national sanctuaries, five reserved zones, six buffer forests, two hunting reserves and an assortment of communal reserves and national forests.
Capital city: Lima
Highest Point: Nevado Huascaran (22,204ft / 6768m)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (0ft / 0m)
Land Area: 494,209 sq. mi (1,279,996 sq. km)
Water Area: 2015 sq. mi (5,220 sq. km)
Total Area: 496,224 sq. mi (1,285,216 sq. km)
Coastline: 1500 miles (2414 km)
Bordering countries (5) Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador
The Atacama Desert covers a total area of 40,541 sq. mi (105,000 sq. km), stretching 600mi (1000km) from southern Peru into northern Chile. Officially the driest place on Earth, it receives almost no rainfall whatsoever. In fact, it is so dry that some weather stations in the desert have never recorded a single drop of…
The 15th century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is much more than just an interesting place to visit. These mountaintop ruins are not only the number one visitor attraction in Peru but the top visited site in the whole of the South American continent. The site was given UNESCO World Heritage Site listing in 1983…
Nestled within the Andes Mountains of Peru is Colca Canyon, the world’s deepest canyon, which has an estimated depth roughly twice that of the Grand Canyon. Tranquillity and beauty abounds in this colourful destination, with local farmers continuing the agricultural traditions of their Inca ancestors. However, that’s not the only thing making Colca Canyon Peru’s…
The ice-clad Alpamayo Peak (19,511ft / 5947m) is part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the Peruvian Andes. The whole range falls within the Huascarán National Park. It’s a steep mountain, famous for its almost perfect pyramidal structure and beautiful top cone. Remotely located, the ascent should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers with…