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Peru is a large country on the Pacific coast of South America,
encompassing a desert coastline, tropical rainforest, and soaring
mountains, each with distinct environments. These dramatic
landscapes offer an exceptional opportunity for travellers to
experience a variety of adventures, an abundance of wildlife, a
rich history and archaeological heritage, and the vivacious
character of durable native cultures, all within one nation.
Fishing villages, fine beaches, agricultural lands, and Peru's
major towns and cities, including the capital of Lima, are
interspersed along the narrow belt of desert coastline that
stretches the length of the country. The lush Amazon Basin takes up
half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical
rainforest that encompasses some of the world's most remote and
least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part,
inaccessible. Separating the coastal desert from the jungle is the
splendid Andes mountain range, an endless chain of soaring peaks
over 22,000 feet (7,000m) high, and home to millions of indigenous
highland people, speaking the ancient Inca language of Quechua, and
living in traditional villages with steeply terraced agricultural
fields, with their wandering herds of llamas and alpacas.
An interesting history of ancient civilisations, tales of lost
cities, undiscovered treasures, and unsolved mysteries make Peru
one of the most exciting countries in the world. Travellers can
marvel at the sophistication of pre-Colombian cultures and explore
the many legacies left by the Inca Empire, particularly the ancient
Inca capital of Cuzco. Hiking along the legendary royal Inca
highway brings visitors to the awesome, majestic 'Lost City of the
Incas', Machu Picchu. Boats transport tourists to the unique
floating islands and the traditional world of the island people on
Lake Titicaca. Travellers can wander around splendid colonial
cities that have preserved their Spanish architecture, look into
the depths of the world's deepest canyon, and contemplate the
intriguing mystery of the Nazca Lines.
Peru, 'Land of the Incas', offers a stimulating and rewarding
travel experience and is one of the most diverse and exhilarating
of the South American destinations.