PERU!

Peru is one of the world's greatest destinations. Located in the west central part of South America, Peru is blessed with a diverse climatic, natural and cultural variation of its regions: Coast, Sierra and Jungle.
Population is over 23 millions, aprox. 7 millions live in the capital, LIMA.


The oficial language is Spanish but Quechua and Aymara are spoken by the amerindians.
Peru encompasses a past of over 10,000 years of the most harsh and inhospitable, if spectacular, environments in the world - the high Andes of South America. Civilization in the Andes has long been equated with the Incas. The architectural achievements of the Incas are inevitably compared to the feats of the Romans.

This 10,000 years of history, can be seen in one of the largest networks of archeology found in the world – and the largest in South America. Progress reached by the ancient Peruvians in the areas of arts and science never ceases to amaze. Take, for example, the city of Caral, the oldest in the Americas. Then, there is Machu Picchu, Incan citadel and newly elected Wonder of the World.


As home to 84 of the 104 life zones that exist on our plant makes Peru a privileged destination for nature lovers. Close to 20% of the worlds birds and 10% of the world's reptiles live here.
Peru has converted 13% of its territory into Protected Natural Areas.
Peru is a country that sings and dances in joy and sadness with color and a great deal of paraphernalia. Peruvians celebrate some 3,000 festivals all over the country.


Over 40,000 restaurants across the country reflect the diversity of a nation that has mixed its native traditions with the cuisines of Europe, Arabia, China, Africa and Japan. The result: unique flavours that make Peruvian cuisine one of the best and most varied in the world.

LIMA

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/06/01/travel/0601-36HOURS_index.html

MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu is the most impressive and spectacular accomplishment of the Inca Empire. It is possibly one of the greatest accomplishments to visit in Peru. It is tucked away on a small hilltop between two Andean peaks at 7,000 feet above sea level. The fact that it lay hidden to all but a few peasants for hundreds of years adds to its mystery and intrigue. Never discovered by the Spanish or mentioned in their chronicles, Machu Picchu is the most popular, yet least well-known of the Inca monuments - the pre-Colonial cultures of Peru left no written records. Yale professor Hiram Bingham discovered the ruins buried beneath dense undergrowth in 1911, The first sight of Machu Picchu is fascinating and almost magical. The temples, fields, terraces, and baths appear to be part of the hillside itself . . . an imposing, elegant green, lush paradise carved into its natural surroundings. The agricultural terracing and aqueducts take advantage of the natural slopes; the lower areas contain buildings occupied by farmers and teachers, and the most important religious areas are located at the crest of the hill, overlooking the lush Urubamba Valley thousands of feet below.

FOOD

http://www.perumuchogusto.com/indexing.asp