Machu Picchu. Photo: Bruno Furnari.

The South American country of Peru (official name: República del Perú) is legendary among world travelers looking for new experiences. Stunningly endowed in both natural and man-made attractions, Peru offers a wide variety of attractions.

In Peru, travelers can explore charming Andean highlands towns with colonial churches, remote jungle lodges in the Amazon basin, soaring snowcapped mountains and volcanoes, a 3,220km (2,000-mile) Pacific coastline, and the mystical ruins of the Incas and other sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations.

Peru is located on the west coast of South America, bordering Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean. Peru's 1.3 million sq km of land is home to nearly 30 million people. Peru is rich in cultural anthropology, as it was the cradle of the sophisticated Inca empire before being conquered by the Spanish. It earned its independence from Spain in 1821.

Peru is an ideal destination for travelers interested in sacred sites and religious places. Here you can experience mysterious ancient temples, ponder the world from the top of a mountain, admire Spanish colonial churches, and enjoy colorful festivals that seamlessly blend ancient faiths with Catholic Christianity.

	Cusco (Cuzco, Qosqo) This historic city in southeastern Peru is situated in the Huatanay Valley (the "Sacred Valley") of the Andes. Considered the archaeological capital of the Americas, Cusco has a stately and historic city center with cobblestone streets, colonial churches, and building foundations laid by the Incas more than 500 years ago.		Machu Picchu Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") is a well-preserved ancient ceremonial site high on a mountain ridge in Peru. It is the end point of the most popular hike in South America, the Inca Trail. The site has ruins of a large palace, temples to Incan deities, and a variety of other buildings.
	Nazca Desert The Nazca Desert is a high plateau that stretches 37 miles between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the pampa (a large flat area of southern Peru). It is home to the Nazca Lines, giant earth drawings of a hummingbird, monkey, spider, lizard, and many other shapes. They were created between 200 BC and 600 AD.

Ancient Ruins of Peru

Museums of Peru

	Peru Sacred Sites List		Peru Maps		Peru Fast Facts
	Peru Timeline		Peru Guidebooks		Peru Travel Forums

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