PERU

Peru is the third-largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking it amongst the world's 20 largest nations.

Population: inhabitants inhabitants. Spaniards came to the Peru to join the indigenous people of Peru Spaniards came to the Peru to join the indigenous people of Peru After this, the Peruvians were met by African Americans, Europeans and Asians After this, the Peruvians were met by African Americans, Europeans and Asians The Peruvian population is well-known for their rich ethnic mix. The Peruvian population is well-known for their rich ethnic mix.

Official languages: Spanish: 80.3% Quechua: 16.2% Other languages: 3.0% Foreign languages: 0.2% Spanish: 80.3% Quechua: 16.2% Other languages: 3.0% Foreign languages: 0.2% Quechua is a major legacy of the Incan Empire Quechua is a major legacy of the Incan Empire

Government: Democratic Republic Democratic Republic The president and members of Congress are elected every five years by universal suffrage. The president and members of Congress are elected every five years by universal suffrage. The current constitutional president of Peru is Alan Garcia Pérez ( ). The current constitutional president of Peru is Alan Garcia Pérez ( ).

Religion: Roman Catholic: 89.03% Evangelical: 6.73% Other religions: 2.56% Any Religion: 1.65% Roman Catholic: 89.03% Evangelical: 6.73% Other religions: 2.56% Any Religion: 1.65% Church at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco

Important Historical Sites: Iquitos - Amazon River Iquitos - Amazon River Iquitos Lima (The Capital) Lima (The Capital) Lima Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Machu Picchu

MACHU PICCHU!! LOCATION: The Andes Mountains in Peru LOCATION: The Andes Mountains in Peru

Geography: The elevation of Machu Picchu is 7,710 feet above sea level The elevation of Machu Picchu is 7,710 feet above sea level Surrounded by mountains, the site sits upon a cliff Surrounded by mountains, the site sits upon a cliff beneath is the Urubamba River beneath is the Urubamba River

History: Built between 1460 and 1470 AD by Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, an Incan ruler Built between 1460 and 1470 AD by Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, an Incan ruler Most likely a royal estate and religious retreat Most likely a royal estate and religious retreat After Pachacuti’s death, Machu Picchu became the property of his allus, or kinship group, which was responsible for it’s maintenance, administration, and any new construction After Pachacuti’s death, Machu Picchu became the property of his allus, or kinship group, which was responsible for it’s maintenance, administration, and any new construction

So… Then What? Machu Picchu was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by Hiram Bingham Machu Picchu was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by Hiram Bingham With the help of the National Geographic Society, Bingham returned in 1912 and 1915, excavating the site and producing a number of literary accounts, the most popular of which was Lost City of the Incas With the help of the National Geographic Society, Bingham returned in 1912 and 1915, excavating the site and producing a number of literary accounts, the most popular of which was Lost City of the Incas It is improbable that he was the first individual to "re- discover" the mountain estate; a number of Hispanic names were found etched into the Incan masonry prior to Bingham's arrival It is improbable that he was the first individual to "re- discover" the mountain estate; a number of Hispanic names were found etched into the Incan masonry prior to Bingham's arrival

What Is It Now? Used for tourism because of its beauty and carefully constructed structures Used for tourism because of its beauty and carefully constructed structures