10 Unusual Facts About Peru To Know Before Your Luxury Vacation
Are you interested in learning the most unusual facts about Peru?
Nestled between the vast Pacific Ocean and sprawling Amazon Rainforest, Peru is one of the most diverse countries you can visit in the Western Hemisphere. This, combined with more than 5,000 years of ancient history, has helped Peru become one of the world's most fascinating and diverse countries.
In this definitive guide, we’ll explore the most interesting and unusual facts about Peru. This includes everything from the first descendants to roam and settle here to the more recent ancient cultures, as well as the incredible diversity of wildlife found throughout the country. We’ll also answer anything else you need to know in our frequently asked questions section.
10 Unusual Facts About Peru That Are Worth Knowing
1. The Most Potato Species On The Planet
Peru is home to more than 4,000 native varieties of potatoes - the highest diversity anywhere on Earth - which vary from the usual light browns to bright purples. As a result we can find many types of unique Peruvian cuisine that incorporate potatoes, such as Papa a la Huancaina and Ocopa Arequipeña.
2. Dozens Of Ancient Peruvian Languages Still Alive To This Day
While Spanish remains the most-spoken language throughout Peru, there are countless others that still remain alive to this day. Quechua and Aymara are the most popular in the Andes with a combined 4.3 million speakers, while the Amazon Rainforest is home to 44 recognized different tribal languages (not including those which aren’t officially recognized).
3. Home To The Oldest Ruins In The Western Hemisphere
Caral Ruins are located just a few hours north of Lima within the Supe Desert, and are dated back over 5000 years. It’s thought that during the times of nomadic tribes, Caral was the first point in the Americas where they settled and created a functioning society - which included homes, ceremonial centers and trade networks.
4. Importance Of Andean Animals To Pre-Inca Civilisations
Before the invention of mass agricultural practices, many cultures living in the harsh remote mountains heavily depended on the meat of native Peruvian animals such as Llamas, Alpacas and Cuy. They also played an important spiritual role too - where for example black Llamas were a prized sacrificial animal in their rituals.
5. The Inca Once Ruled The Majority Of The South American Continent
While most know that the Inca civilisation ruled much of Peru between the 13-15th centuries, their actual domain stretched much further. Known as Tahuantinsuyo, their occupied lands once stretched as far north as Colombia and south as Argentina at their very peak - until the Spanish Empire later arrived in 1532.
6. One Of The World’s Deepest Canyons
The spiralling Colca Canyon is one of the most popular destinations for luxury tourists to visit in Peru, which is situated just a few hours from Arequipa. At a maximum depth of 4160m / 13,650ft, it’s the second deepest canyon on Earth - with altitudes varying drastically from 1066m / 3497ft at its base to 4000m+ / 13,125ft+ higher up the valley - and is almost twice the depth of the Grand Canyon in the USA.
7. Extremely High Biodiversity Levels Of The Peruvian Amazon
While Peru is home to only 13% of the Amazon - which stretches across the entire continent - this particular region is one of the most biodiverse. Roughly 60% of Peru is covered in rainforest, and it’s reported that the country is home to over 80,000 animal and plant species - while Tambopata near Puerto Maldonado has the most butterfly species on the planet (1200+).
8. Various Ancient Andean Traditions That Still Survive Today
Perhaps one of the most unusual facts about Peru is what we can see with our own eyes when walking around Andean destinations. Several of Peru’s ancient traditions still remain alive today in areas like Cusco and the Sacred Valley, such as the use of traditional clothing, the rearing of Alpacas and Llamas, as well as important Andean festivals such as Inti Raymi which keep ancient roots and beliefs alive.
9. The Mysterious Nazca Lines And Their Puzzling Purpose
Located on the pampas of the Nazca Desert in Southern Peru, the emblematic Nazca Lines are one of the country’s most famous ruins. Built roughly 1500 years ago by the Nazca culture, researchers still haven’t agreed why these massive geoglyphs were created in the first place. Theories span from markings of territory and importance of identity, to those that the Nazca had otherworldly connections through these structures.
10. An Impressive Range Of Microclimates
Peru has over 90 microclimates, making it one of the most geographically-unique countries on the planet. This is due to the influences of the Pacific, Andes and Amazon - which have created massive sand dunes near Lima, misty cloudforests north of Cusco, as well as iconic mangroves near the Ecuadorian border.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unusual Facts About Peru
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the most unusual facts about Peru, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
What Are 3 Unique Facts About Peru?
3 of Peru’s most unique facts can be seen directly through its incredible geography. Peru is one of the most diverse countries on the planet, with over 90 varied microclimates. One of these is the expansive Amazon Rainforest, which covers almost 60% of the entire country. As well as being home to Jaguars, Tapir and Sloths, certain areas hold world records for their biodiversity - like Puerto Maldonado which has the most butterfly species (1200+ recorded) of any region on the planet.
What Is Peru Most Famous For?
Peru is most famous for its ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, with over a million tourists visiting the site every year. Built within the early 15th century for the Emperor Pachacútec, it was once used as a royal estate given its formidable location on top of a jungle mountain - while the site was also an important center for many cultural and spiritual practices of the Inca.
Is There A Most Important Fact About Peru?
This really depends on what subject is most important for you, however Peru’s long and deep ancient history is often mentioned as one of the most important parts of the country. Over 5000 years ago, the Caral culture set up the first settled society in all of the Americas here, and in the following years civilisations such as the Nazca, Moche, Wari and Inca would then come to rule these lands.
Overview Of The Unusual Facts About Peru
And that’s all for this guide on the most unusual facts about Peru that are worth knowing before your luxury vacation.
From its famous assortment of rich cuisine to ancient history that spans over 5000 years, Peru is home to all kinds of wonderful and interesting things to know. And in this guide we’ve covered some of the most unusual facts about Peru, which are perfect to know before you head off on your own journey around this incredible South American country.
Are you ready to explore Peru in style? Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company, we have decades of experience crafting customized itineraries for our guests - where only the very best tour guides will help you discover the most iconic destinations, unique history and incredible facts of the country. Get in touch with our expert trip planners now, who will help to create your dream Peru vacation.
