Peru is the third largest country in South America with a mix of indigenous and European cultures. The Inca civilization built the famous city of Machu Picchu in the Andes mountains. Peru has a wide variety of plants and animals due to its diverse ecosystems, including the spectacled bear, llamas, river dolphins, and monkeys. Potatoes originated in Peru over 8,000 years ago. Peru also has over 3,500 orchid varieties, the highest sand dunes in the world, more than 1,800 bird species, a 2,000 year old surfing tradition, and mineral wealth making it one of the richest mineral countries. Peruvian cuisine is considered among the best in the world with influences

1. Welcome to Peru
May, 2016

2. Peru is the third largest country in South
America

3. PEOPLE & CULTURE
The people of Peru are a mix of many different
cultures, including Indians, Europeans, descendants
of African and Asians.

4. HISTORY
One of the most important Peruvian cultures was the Inca, who
lived in Peru around 600 years ago. Their capital, Cusco, is still a
major city today. The Inca also built Machu Picchu, a famous and
mysterious ancient city in the Andes.

5. NATURE
Animals & Plants
Because it has so many different ecosystems, Peru is
home to a wider variety of plants and animals than
most other countries on Earth.

6. Wildlife of Peru
Peru's national bird is the cock-of-the-rock, and the sacred flower of
the Incas and National Flower of Peru, the Cantuta.

7. Wildlife of Peru
The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear or Andean
short-faced bear, is the last remaining short-faced bear.

8. Llamas are very social herd animals, however, and do sometimes spit at
each other as a way of disciplining lower-ranked llamas in the herd.
Wildlife of Peru

9. Wildlife of Peru
The Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the Boto or
pink river dolphin, is a species of toothed whale classified in the family
Iniidae.

10. Wildlife of Peru
The capuchin monkey & The Emperor Tamarin

11. Interesting facts about Peru
Mashed potatoes, French fries and chips – all of your favorite
snacks owe their origin to Peru.
Ancient Peruvians domesticated the potato as far back as 8,000 years
ago. Today, it is the world’s fourth-largest food crop. There are over
3,000 different varieties grown in Peru

12. Interesting facts about Peru
Peru has 3,500 varieties of orchids, and it is estimated that only 50%
of the species have been identified as of yet

13. Interesting facts about Peru
Peru is home to the highest sand dune in the world. Cerro Blanco is
located in the Sechura Desert near the Nazca Lines and measures
3,860 feet (1,176 m) from base to summit

14. Interesting facts about Peru
Peru has over 1,800 species of bird, and over 50% of the migrating
birds in the Americas fly over Peru at some point each year

15. Interesting facts about Peru
Peru’s tradition of surfing goes back 2,000 years. Archaeologists have
found friezes depicting humans seeming to surf in sites along the Peruvian
coasts.

16. Interesting facts about Peru
Peru has well recognized mineral wealth. It is considered one of the
six richest mineral countries in the world.

17. Interesting facts about Peru
Peruvian cuisine, considered among the best in the world, inherited
its innovation, mix and flavors from Peru’s history. Its culinary
fusion developed over a long process of cultural exchange
between the Spanish, Africans, Chinese, Japanese and Italians,
among others.

18. Interesting facts about Peru
In 1986, the Kennel Club International declared the Peruvian hairless dog
a distinct breed and a national treasure by the Peruvian government in
2001. In Peru, the dog is known as perro calato (naked dog) and it has
been around for at least 4,000 years. They make excellent guide dogs for
blind people.

19. Thank you!!