S2 - All about Peru to learn more and more

all about peru

1. It has borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. Its coastline borders the Pacific Ocean. Peru is on the continent of South America. Where Is Peru? 1 = Ecuador 2 = Colombia 3 = Brazil 4 = Bolivia 5 = Chile 5 4 3 2 1 Peru Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean

2. Where Is Peru?

3. Quick Facts Capital City: Lima Population: 34.5 million people (2023) Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara Currency: Peruvian (nuevo) sol Flag: The Peruvian flag design dates from 1825. It has a coat of arms and red and white stripes running vertically. The white stripe is believed to symbolise peace. The red stripes are thought to represent the blood spilled by people who have fought for the country of Peru. Flag

4. Physical Features Snow-capped Peaks of the Andes Mountains The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world, spanning over 4500 miles (7000km) in length. The section of the Andes that runs through Peru is known as the Central Andes.

5. Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Physical Features Over half of Peru is covered in rainforest. This is part of the enormous Amazon rainforest which stretches into several other South American countries including Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia. Peru has the second largest portion of the Amazon rainforest after Brazil. The rainforest is one of the most diverse places for wildlife on Earth. Parts of the rainforest are under threat in Peru due to illegal logging.

6. Lake Titicaca Physical Features Lake Titicaca is at the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is the largest lake on the South American continent. It is a freshwater lake and rests at a high altitude in the Andes mountains. There are over 40 human-made islands on Lake Titicaca. Made from dried reeds, these are built for the Uros people to live on. Around 25 rivers feed into the lake.

7. Human Features Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is an old city that was built in the 15th century by the Inca civilisation . It was abandoned in the 16th century after about 100 years. There are several theories as to why this was, including a possible smallpox outbreak. The abandonment also happened around the time of the Spanish conquest. Machu Picchu was built high up in the Andes mountains in the south-east of Peru. It is challenging to get to as it is so high. The Inca cut into the mountainside to create flat areas for building temples, houses and farms. Machu Picchu is now a popular tourist destination. Many of the buildings have been restored to how they may have originally looked.

8. Nazca Lines Human Features The Nazca (also spelt Nasca ) were an ancient civilisation that lived in Peru until the 1st century. Around 2000 years ago, the Nazca created enormous drawings on the land by digging down into the soil. These are called geoglyphs. These geoglyphs are known as the Nazca Lines. They cover an area of around 190 square miles (500 square kilometres ). Some show designs of animals or plants. They are considered a great mystery as no one knows for sure why they were made. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

9. Desert near Ica City Snow in the Andes Climate The climate in Peru varies hugely by area. There are dry, hot deserts in the west, while in the east, there are tropical rainforests. It is hot all year round in the areas covered by the Amazon rainforest. The Andes mountains run through Peru from north to south. At the highest elevations, temperatures can reach freezing.

10. Llama at Machu Picchu Wildlife Peru has a wide array of wildlife. Peru has desert, tropical rainforest, mountain ranges and a coast with the Pacific Ocean. This means there are many different habitats. Llamas and alpacas are well-known animals in Peru and are often seen at Machu Picchu. They have been important throughout the history of the country and the Inca used them for wool, meat and transporting goods. Some rare species that live in Peru include the spectacled bear, spiny rats and giant anacondas. The country is also home to caimans, poison dart frogs, jaguars and sea lions. Spectacled Bear Anaconda

11. Wildlife An enormous variety of plant life thrives in Peru. These include cactuses and drought-resistant grasses in the deserts, and many species of orchids in the rainforest. The Queen of the Andes is a flowering plant that lives in the mountains and grows up to 15 metres tall! “ Puya raimondii ” by tacowitte is licenced under CC BY 2.0 DEED.

12. Food Ceviche Traditional Peruvian food varies according to where it is in the country: seaside, mountain or rainforest. Ceviche is made with raw fish marinated in citrus juice, usually lime, and often served with tortilla chips or beans. Lomo saltado is a dish made with stir-fried beef.

13. Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Bird Flora de Inca National Emblems The national animal of Peru is the vicuña. Vicuñas belong to the camel family and are related to llamas. Their wool is extremely soft and warm and is highly prized in Peru. They are a protected species. The national bird of Peru is the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Peru shares the same national flower as Bolivia. The flower is the Cantua buxifolia or Flora de Inca (flower of the Incas). It is a pink flower found in valleys at high altitudes.

14. Climate Peru is home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world in the Sechura desert. In 2013, Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca , was revealed. Previously, it was covered in snow so people did not know it was there. You can see pink dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon river.

15. 1. Which continent is Peru located in? 2. Which countries border Peru? Quick Quiz 3. What is the capital of Peru? 4. What is the national language? 5. What is the national animal? 6. What is the currency of Peru? 7. What is the name of the largest lake in Peru? 8. What is the main ingredient in ceviche? 9. What do some of the Nazca Lines designs show? 10. What would you like to see in Peru and why?

16. 1. Which continent is Peru located in? 2. Which countries border Peru? Quick Quiz Answer 3. What is the capital of Peru? 4. What is the national language? 5. What is the national animal? 6. What is the currency of Peru? 7. What is the name of the largest lake in Peru? 8. What is the main ingredient in ceviche? 9. What do some of the Nazca Lines designs show? 10. What would you like to see in Peru and why? South America Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile Lima Spanish, Quechua and Aymara vicuña Peruvian (nuevo) sol Lake Titicaca raw fish animals or plants Pupils’ own responses.