People and Population
- Largest population in Lima (8.769 million)
- Majority live near coast
- Main ethnicities include Amerindian and Mestizo (mixed heritages)
- Inca ancestors along with mixed European and Indian
- Official languages are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara
- Minor percentage of native Amazonian languages
Way of Life
- 70% live in urban areas, 30% in rural
- Most poverty in Andean highlands where indigenous communities live, lacking things such as electrical power and health services
- Women do the majority of the work in rural areas
- Fast food chains-Burger King, KFC, etc.- are common in urban areas
- No driving laws
Food & Drink
- Common foods are cuy (guinea pig) and stuffed foods in general (meat-filled potatoes, stuffed peppers)
- National drink is pisco, a brandy with 42% of alcohol
- Customs involve saying "buen provecho" (bon appetit) when you leave a table or join one
- Forks held in left hand, knives in right
Recreation & Fun
- Fútbol, whitewater rafting, sport fishing, and sand-boarding
- National sport is fútbol
- Peru hosts some of the world's top 10 white waters
- Largest black marlin (1,560 lbs) caught in Peru
Music & Dance
- Music genres include folklorico and huayno
- Huayno has roots from pre-Columbian music of the highlands.
- Festivals and weddings feature huayno music and dancing styles
- Dances include the marinera and tondero
- Marinera is the national dance
Peruvian Musicians
- Classical pianist Myriam Avalos has preformed in US, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
- Given the title "Cultural Ambassador" by Peruvian government
- Folklorico musician William Luna has preformed in Canadan, Latin America, US, and Europe
- Published 8 albums total
Carnivals in Peru
- Pre-Lenten festival in latter part of February into beinning March
- Joyous and cheerful celebration
- Huge tree is planted with gifts and presents
- People attempt to cut it down while dancing in a circle
- Couple that gives the final cut is in charge next year
- Gifts shared afterwards