Aaralyn Cortez - Spanish 3 Perú RESPUESTAS

Overview of Peru

Geographic Context

  • Located in Western South America

  • Bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean

  • Major cities: Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo

Indigenous Groups

  • Group 1: Indigenous Groups

    • Los Incas

      • Ancient civilization with capital in Cusco

      • Developed quipus (a communication system using strings and knots)

      • Ayllú: Family-based societal structure

      • Language: Quechua

    • Los Aymaras

      • Indigenous group currently residing in the Altiplano region

    • Los Jíbaros

      • Indigenous people from the jungle known for headhunting practices

Tourist Attractions

Group 2: Popular Destinations

  • Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)

    • Location: Southern Peru

    • Known for its multi-colored landscape

  • Machu Picchu

    • Incan citadel built in the 15th century in the Andes Mountains

    • Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911

    • Historical significance for Incan civilization

  • Nazca Lines

    • Over 300 large-scale geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert

  • Floating Islands

    • Artificial islands on Lake Titicaca, inhabited by the Uros people

  • Ballestas Islands

    • Wildlife-rich islands in Paracas known for bird species and guano production

Key Landforms

  • Lake Titicaca

    • Highest navigable lake in the world

    • Largest lake in South America

Climate & Geography

Group 4: Geographic Zones

  • Three geographic regions:

    • La Costa: Arid, desert-like climate

    • La Sierra: Mountainous, temperate climate

    • La Selva: Amazonian region, covers 60% of the territory, tropical climate

Government & Capital

Group 5: Political Structure

  • Current president: Dina Boluarte (since December 7, 2022, succeeded Pedro Castillo)

  • Political system: Democratic republic

  • Capital: Lima founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535

    • Notable facts:

      • About 1/3 of Peru's population lives in Lima

      • Second driest capital in the world

Important Cities

Group 6: Major Urban Centers

  • Cuzco: Former capital of the Incas; gateway to Machu Picchu

  • Arequipa: Industrial city notable for its white buildings

  • Trujillo: Coastal city founded by Diego de Almagro

Food & Cuisine

Group 7: Traditional Dishes

  • Ceviche: Dish made of raw fish marinated in lime juice

  • Ají de Gallina: Creamy chicken dish with aji peppers served with potatoes

  • Lomo Saltado: Stir-fried beef strips in soy sauce, served with rice and potatoes

  • Cuy Chactado: Fried or roasted guinea pig, a traditional dish of the Incas

  • Beverages:

    • Pisco: National drink with an annual celebration in July

    • Mate de Coca: Tea used to alleviate altitude sickness

Traditions & Culture

Group 8: Cultural Heritage

  • Music: Influenced by Andean, Spanish, and African roots, characterized by instruments like the charango

  • Dance: La Marinera, national dance involving couples showcasing flirtation

  • Important national holidays include Independence Day (July 28-29) and Santa Rosa de Lima (August 30)

Social Issues

Group 10: Current Challenges

  • Healthcare: Inequality in access, particularly for Indigenous populations

  • Emigration: Outmigration of youth due to corruption

  • Unemployment: High rates of unemployment, especially among young people

Tips for Visiting Peru

  • Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua, and Aymara

  • Currency: New Sol; adopted in 1991

  • Altitude Sickness: Common in high-altitude regions like Cusco; remedies include mate de coca and oxygen supply in luxury hotels.