Perú
Perú is located in the central part along the western coast of South America. It covers 1,285,215 square kilometres and has a population of nearly 28 million. Peru's inhabitants are mostly of Andean stock in the highlands and mixed-blood "mestizos" on the coast, blended with a hefty influx of European blood, largely Spanish. A country dotted with a vast and varied geography, Peru features 28 types of climates and contains 84 of the 103 ecological zones existing on Earth. Its territory is split into three natural regions running from north to south: the Coast, a narrow swathe of desert coastline, which is home to Lima and most of Peru's main cities; the Highlands, which feature breath-taking mountain landscapes and picturesque villages; and the exuberant Amazon jungle, teeming with a dizzying variety of animals and plant life.
Lima
The Peruvian capital was founded on January 18th, 1535, by the Spanish Conqueror, Francisco Pizarro. Dubbed the "City of Kings," Lima is today a vast metropolis which blends the splendour of its colonial past with the modern era. Nestling on the banks of the Rimac River and on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Lima is the seat of government and the country's most important institutions. The population of Lima is more than 8 million people, making it by far the country's largest city, bustling with more business and industrial activity than anywhere else in Peru. Lima, a metropolis steeped in vice-regal airs, is the perfect starting point for travellers interested in getting to know Peru.
Cusco Region
Cusco is located at 3,360 meters above sea level, in the Huatanay Valley of the south-eastern Andes of Peru. Visiting Cusco is an unforgettable experience, as it allows you to uncover some of the mysteries of the Incas, because Cusco was the centre, the "navel," of the Andean world. The city of Cusco is surrounded by impressive archaeological remains such as the citadel of Machu Picchu, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and picturesque towns such as Pisac, Calca and Yucay, which still preserve the traditions of their ancestors. More About Cusco >
