Peru

1. Fun Facts

1.1. The potato is originally from Peru, and there are over 3,000 different varieties.

1.2. Cuy or Guinea Pig is a traditional dish eaten in Peru

1.3. In Chincha on Peru’s southern coast it is quite acceptable to eat cat

1.4. Peru’s Huascarán National Park has more has 27 snow-capped peaks 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) above sea level, of which El Huascarán (6,768 meters / 22,204 feet) is the highest.

1.5. Cusco in Peru was the most important city in the whole of the Inca Empire, and governed as far north as Quito in Ecuador and as far south as Santiago in Chile.

2. Politics/Political system

2.1. In the 1990 elections, voters that were concerned about the economy chose Alberto Fujimori, as president.

2.2. In 1992 Fujimori stunned Peruvians and the outside world with a "coup" against his own government.

2.3. In 1990 Alberto Fujimori was elected as president. He restored Peru's economic stability and successfully fought terrorism.

3. Travel & Attractions

3.1. Huacachina mostly attracts international tourists for

3.2. Machu Picchu (enjoy-machu-picchu.org) is one of Peru's most famous destinations and one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world. This site that contains archaeological treasures from the lost Inca city.

3.3. The Nazca Lines are Peru’s most famous and mysterious example of native culture.

3.4. The city of Trujillo, established in 1534, is the third largest in Peru, according to the Peru Tourism Bureau.

3.5. Peru's Colca Canyon is one of its top visitor destinations, according to Rough Guides. This canyon sits between two volcanoes, Coropuna and Ampato.

4. Relations with the US

4.1. The United States established diplomatic relations with Peru in 1827 following Peru’s independence from Spain.

4.2. The country is a key U.S. partner in Latin America, and the two have strong, positive, and cooperative relations.

4.3. The US provides funding to build the capacity of judicial actors in Peru

4.4. Peru has committed to broaden economic opportunities and increase the state presence in areas susceptible to the influence and control of narco-traffickers, including the Apurimac, Ene and Montaro River Valley (VRAEM).

4.5. U.S. assistance promotes these objectives through bilateral programs that support Peru’s anti-narcotics and alternative development efforts, increased social and economic inclusion, improve governance, and sound environmental stewardship.

5. Modern History

5.1. The Inca, sometimes called peoples of the sun, were originally a warlike tribe living in a semiarid region of the southern sierra.

5.2. In 1532 the Spanish soldier and adventurer Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru with a force of about 180 men.

5.3. The first Spanish viceroy arrived in Peru in 1544 and attempted to enforce the New Laws, but the conquistadores rebelled and, in 1546, killed the viceroy.

5.4. In 1569 the Spanish colonial administrator Francisco de Toledo arrived in Peru.

5.5. n 1873 Peru signed a secret defensive alliance with Bolivia, the purpose of which was to defend Bolivia's nitrate interests against Chile.

6. Economy/Natural Resources

6.1. Copper, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, phosphates, and manganese exist in great quantities of high-yield ores

6.2. Gold and silver are found extensively

6.3. petroleum fields are located along the far north coast and the northeastern part of Amazonia.