Size, Location, and Bodies of Water
- 490, 200 square miles
- 2 times as big as Texas
- Located on South America's central Pacific Coast
- Borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile
Landscapes and Climate
- Consists of coastal, mountainous, and jungle areas
- Coast: Average temperature of 77°F, warmer towards the north
- Mountains: Temperatures between 32 and 64°F, cold and dry
- Jungle: tropical climate, hot and humid, torrential rains increase during summer
Physical Features
- Andes Mountains: highest point in Peru, 20,000+ feet above sea level, longest mountain range in the world
- Lake Titicaca: largest lake in South America by volume of water, creates natural border between Peru and Bolivia
Flora and Fauna
- Plants specific to Peru include the fushia tincta, puya angusta, heliconia penduloides, cattleya mooreana, matucana
- Indigenous animals are white-winged guan, desert lancehead, pleasing poison frog, Peruvian longfin, zebra-like ringlet
Thinking of Traveling to Peru?
- Best time to visit is July and August during dry season
- Fauna stay near the rivers and mosquitoes are fewer
- Days are clear and sunny, but night is cold
- Bring pants for hiking, hiking boots, and t-shirts for the day. Warm clothes required for the night.
- Though near equator, temperatures are relatively mild due to high elevation and being located near to the Pacific Ocean