15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Peru

15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Peru

15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Peru

1. Peru is home to the Amazon River’s source, which begins high in the Andes Mountains before winding its way through South America.
2. The Inca Empire, the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas, originated in Peru, with its capital at Cusco.
3. Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, remained unknown to the outside world until its discovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.
4. Peru grows more than 3,000 varieties of potatoes, reflecting its status as the birthplace of the potato.
5. Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, is shared between Peru and Bolivia and is steeped in Incan mythology.
6. The Nazca Lines, massive geoglyphs etched into the Peruvian desert, remain a mystery, with theories ranging from astronomical markers to alien communications.
7. Peru is one of the world’s top producers of gold, copper, and silver, with mining being a significant part of its economy.
8. The Peruvian hairless dog is an ancient breed considered sacred by the Incas and is recognized as a national treasure.
9. Lima, the capital of Peru, was once the most powerful city in the Americas during Spanish colonial rule.
10. The Peruvian Andes are home to the Colca Canyon, which is over twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States.
11. The ancient city of Caral, over 5,000 years old, is one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas.
12. Peru is the world’s largest producer of quinoa and is also known for its native superfoods like maca and camu camu.
13. The annual Inti Raymi festival in Cusco celebrates the Incan sun god and is one of the largest traditional festivals in South America.
14. Peru is home to one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, with 84 of the 104 life zones on Earth found within its borders.
15. Ceviche, Peru’s national dish made from raw fish cured in citrus juice, is so beloved that it has its own national holiday every June 28.