The Essence of Peru: Interesting Facts

Peru is a country where ancient traditions meet breathtaking landscapes creating a vibrant cultural mosaic captivating travellers from all around the world. From the towering picks of Andes to mysterious depths of Amazon rainforest, Peru offers a blend of history, nature, and culture. But beyond the famous landmarks, Peru is full of surprising facts revealing the rich heritage, and unique way of life. I invite you today to explore with me this amazing culture!

Machu Picchu Mystery

Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, was hidden from the outside world until 1911. Its exact purpose remains a mystery.

More than 3,000 Varieties of Potatoes

Peru is the birthplace of the potato, and you can find thousands of different varieties—many of which are completely unknown outside the Andes.

Official Languages

Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. In rural regions, indigenous languages are widely spoken and preserved.

Lake Titicaca

It’s the highest navigable lake in the world (at 3,812 meters) and home to the Uros people, who live on floating islands made of reeds. The Uros build their islands by layering thick mats of dried totora reeds, which grow in the lake.

Cuisine is World-Renowned

Peru is considered a culinary capital of South America. Dishes like ceviche (raw fish or shellfish cooked in citrus juices), lomo saltado (a stir fry combining marinated strips of sirloin with onions, tomatoes, and French fries), and ají de gallina (comfort food of shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spicy sauce with yellow peppers, milk and bread) are celebrated globally.

Nazca Lines

Nazca lines are a series of giant geoglyphs etched into the desert plains of Southern Peru. These massive drawings are visible only from the air. They were created over 1,500 years ago. Their purpose is still debated. Theories include astronomical calendars, religious rituals, or markers for water sources.

Festival Culture

There are over 3,000 festivals celebrated annually, many blending indigenous and Catholic traditions. Inti Raymi, which is the Festival of the Sun, is one of the most famous.

Have the most amazing vacation, Dear Akademos Students!

Vocabulary

Breathtaking – astonishing or awe-inspiring in quality, so as to take one’s breath away (zapierający dech w piersiach)

captivating – capable of attracting interest, charming (urzekający)

revealing – making interesting or significant information known (ujawniający)

heritage – practices or characteristics passed down through the years, from one generation to the next (dziedzictwo)

preserved – maintain something in its original or existing state (zachowane)

layering – the action of arranging something in layers (układać warstwami)

totora reeds – aquatic plants, a type of bulrush that have significant and practical meaning, especially in the Lake Titicaca (trzcina totora)

sirloin – a cut of meat especially of beef from the part of the hindquarter just in front of the round (szponder)

indigenous –originating naturally in a particular place; native (rdzenny)