Peru

Capital: Lima.
Area: 1,285,215 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
Population: 30 millions approximately, 72.3% Urban and 27.7% Rural.
Time: GMT – 5.

Peru is a nation of mixed ethnic origins. Throughout its history, Peru has been the meeting ground for different nations and cultures. The indigenous population was joined 500 years ago by the Spaniards.

As a result of this encounter, and later enriched by the migration of African blacks, Asians and Europeans, Peruvian man emerged as the representative of a nation whose rich ethnic mix is one of its leading characteristics.

Government Peru is a democratic republic. The president and members of Congress are elected every five years by universal suffrage. The current constitutional president of Peru is Ollanta Humala Tasso (2011-2016). Peru gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.

Religion: 89.03% Roman Catholic, 6.73% Evangelical, other religions 2.56, 1.65% any Religions.

Language:

Spanish: 80,3%
Quechua: 16,2%
Other languages: 3,0%
Foreign languages: 0,2%

As part of its rich cultural tradition, Peru features many different languages. Although Spanish is commonly spoken across the country, Quechua is a major legacy of the Inca empire, and is still spoken with regional dialects in many parts of Peru.

In addition, other languages are spoken such as Aymara (in Puno) and a startling variety of dialects in the Amazon jungle, which are divided up into 15 linguistic families and 43 different languages.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in some 4 or 5 stars Hotels, but is easy to find an adapter.

Peru is a naturally religious country with a diversity of beliefs and freedom of worship can be seen from the wide range of festivals and rituals that feature both Catholic fervor and the mysticism of age-old pre-Hispanic cultures. We are the third-largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking it amongst the world’s 20 largest nations. Peru also holds sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares in the Antarctic. Peru is divided into 24 departments. Lima is the capital of Peru. Borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west.

Peru is divided into three regions, Although this simple division is a fair portrait of Peru’s geography, in Peru, nature appears to have taken on particular characteristics which have turned its mountains, plains, jungles and valleys into unique habitats. An extraordinary variety of eco-systems shelters a wide diversity of animals and plants.

The Coast region, The Peruvian coastline is formed by a long snaking desert hemmed in between the sea and the mountains. The Andes to the east and the cold Humboldt sea current that runs along the coast are what make this area so arid. From the Sechura desert to the Nazca plains and the Atacama desert, the dry coastal terrain is occasionally split by valleys covered by a thick layer of cloud and drizzle in the winter. Humidity in these areas produces a sensation of cold, although temperatures rarely dip below 12°C. During the summer, meanwhile, the sun beats down and temperatures often top 30°C. The central and southern sections of the coast feature two well-defined seasons: winter from April to October, and summer from November to March. The north coast, meanwhile, is not touched by the effects of the cold current, which means it enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year and warm temperatures all year-long (as much as 35°C in the summer). The rain season runs from November to March.

The highland Sierra In the Peruvian highlands, there are two well-defined seasons: the dry season (from April to October), marked by sunny days, cold nights and the lack of rain (the ideal time for visiting); and the rainy season (November to March), when there are frequent rain showers (generally more than 1000 mm). A characteristic of the mountain region is the drop in temperature during the day: temperatures commonly range around 24°C at midday before plunging to -3°C at night. The steep slopes of the Andes means temperatures gradually drop in the highest region, known as the puna, the highland plain. The dry and pleasant climate in the highlands makes it possible to grow a wide variety of crops there.

The Selva, The vast Peruvian jungle, which surrounds the wide and winding Amazon river, is divided into two differentiated areas: the cloud forest (above 700 masl), which features a subtropical, balmy climate, with heavy rain showers (around 3000 mm a year) between November and March, and sunny days from April to October; and the lowland jungle (below 700 masl), where the dry season runs from April to October and is ideal for tourism, with sunshine and high temperatures often topping 35°C.

During this season, the river levels dip and roads are easy to drive. The rainy season, meanwhile, which runs from November to March, features frequent rain showers (at least once a day) which can damage roads in the area.
The jungle features high humidity all year long. In the southern jungle, there are sometimes cold spells known locally as friajes or surazos, cold fronts which drift up from the far south of the continent between May and August, where temperatures can drop to 8-12°C.

Health Care

International travellers are strongly advised to take out full health insurance and should be prepared to pay up front for medical services. The following is a list of medicines and other supplies that may be useful during your trip:

Antibiotics.
Antidiarrheals.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) or Aspirin.
Anti-inflammatories.
Antihistamines.
Antibacterial ointments.
Steroid cream or cortisone (for poisonous wounds or allergic rashes).
Bandages and dressings.
Thermometer.
DEET insect repellents (for the skin) and Permethrin.
Sunblock.
Altitude sickness pills.

Travellers who only visit Cusco and Machu Picchu do not require a vaccination for Yellow Fever, this vaccination is recommended for travellers whom visit jungle areas below 2,300m (7,546ft). Such as Puerto Maldonado; the table below shows recommended vaccines for visiting the country:

Migration requirements: Peruvian migration regulations provide 183 non-extendable days as the longest stay period in the country. This period is provided at the discretion of Peruvian immigration officers when entering the country and will depend on the purpose of your visit.
A visa is not required for citizens from all countries.

Addresses of Embassies in Peru: Here you have a list of some embassies in Peru.

Argentina: Jr. Pablo Bermúdez 143, Santa Beatriz, Lima, Telf.: (00 51 1) 4335704
Australia: Av. Víctor A. Belaunde 147, Vía principal 155, building 3, of. 1301, San Isidro Telf.: (00 51 1) 2228281
Austria: Av. Central 643, 5to piso, San Isidro.Telf.: (00 51 1) 4420503
Belgica: Av. Angamos Oeste 392, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 2417566
Bolivia: Los Castaños 235, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4228231
Brasil: Av. José Pardo 850, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 4215650
Canadá: Jr. Libertad 130, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 4444015
Ceske Republiky: Baltasar La Torre 398, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2643381
Chile: Av. Javier Prado Oeste 790, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 6112211
China: Jr. José Granda 150, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4429467
Colombia: Av. Jorge Basadre 1580, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4429648
Denmark: Av. Bernardo Monteagudo 201, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2643620
Ecuador Jr. Las Palmeras 356, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4618217
Egypto: Jorge Basadre 1470, san Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4402547
Finlandia: Av. Victor A. Belaunde 147, Edificio Real III, of. 502, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2224466
Francia: Av. Arequipa 3415, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2158400
Germany: Av. Arequipa 4202, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 2125016
Great Britain: Torre Parque Mar. Av. Larco 1301, piso 23, 23th floor, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 6173050
Greece: Av. Principal 190, piso 6, 6th floor, San Borja Telf: (00 51 1) 4761548
Hungria: Calle Alfredo Roldan 124, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2229383
India: Av. Salaverry 3006, Magdalena Telf: (00 51 1) 2616001
Ireland: Calle Miguel Alegre 182, Urb. Aurira, Miraflores Telf: (00 51 1) 2732903
Israel: Jr. Natalio Sanchez 125, 6th floor, piso 6, Lima Telf: (00 51 1) 4334431
Italia: Av. Gregorio Escobedo 298, Jesús Maria Telf: (00 51 1) 4632727
Japon: Av. San Felipe 356, Jesús Maria Telf: (00 51 1) 2181462
Mexico: Av. Jorge Basadre 710, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2211173
Norway: Av. Parque Norte 605, of. 201, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1)4752925
Portugal: Av. Central 643, piso 4, 4th floor, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4409905
Poland: Av. Salaverry 1998, Jesús Maria Telf: (00 51 1) 4713920
Russia: Av. Salaverry 3424, piso 4, 4 floor, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2640038
Slovenskej Republiky: Av. Angamos Oeste 1626, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2212585
South Korea: Av. Principal 190, piso 7, 7th floor, La Victoria Telf: (00 51 1) 4760815
South Africa: Av. Vía Principal 155, Edificio Real 3, of. 801, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4409996
Spain: Av. Jorge Basadre 498, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2125155
Sweden: Calle La Santa Maria 130, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 4428905
Switzerland: Av. Salaverry 3240, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2640305
The Netherlands: Av. Principal 190, piso 4, 4 floor, La Victoria Telf: (00 51 1) 4761069
Uruguay: Calle José Anchorena 84, San Isidro Telf: (00 51 1) 2640099
U.S.A.: Av. La Encalada cuadra 17, block 17, Monterrico Telf: (00 51 1) 4343000
Venezuela: Av. Arequipa 298, Lima Telf: (00 51 1) 4334511

Tourist Information and Assistance Office (IPERU) Peru has an information and assistance service for travelers provided by the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism (PROMPERU), which offers: Official tourist information about attractions, roads, destinations and companies that provide tourist services (We are Registered there Click Here).