Population and Extension:

Peru is a country with different races and cultures. To the native population were added Spaniards, near 500 years ago. Product of that encounter, enriched later on with the migrations of black people, Asian and European, the Peruvian man was born, representative of a nation whose ethnic wealth constituted one of the most important characteristics. There are 25.662.000 habitants.

• Urban: 72 %.
• Rural: 28%

About the extension, Peru is the third country of more extension in South America with 1.285.215 km2, after Brazil and Argentina, being located this way among the 20 more extensive countries of the planet. The capital is Lima.

Language:

In Peru there are a multitude of native languages, being spanish the first language.The Quechua is an important inheritance of the Inca past and in many regions of the country it is still spoken, specially at the Andes. Also, there are other dialects like the aymara (Puno) and diverse Amazon languages that are distributed in a surprising variety of families of those that, still in these days, they survive near 15 linguistic trunks, giving place to 38 different languages.

• Spanish 80 %.
• Quechua 16 %.
• Other Languages 3 %.

Currency:

The official currency of Peru is the "Nuevo sol", divided in 100 cents. It circulates in currencies of 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 nuevos soles and in notes of S / .10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. The dollars are welcome at most shops, restaurants, hotels and service stations at the current exchange rate. Most Shops and stores accept the main credit cards, including Visa, Master card, Diners and American Express. When using a credit card, make sure you are charged the right amount for your purchase. Changing money in the street is very common but risky. Banks or "casas de cambio" are the better choice. Important note: old or damaged US notes (i.e. a. very slight tear) either won't be accepting or exchanged at lower rates. When exchanging cash be sure to have crisp, new notes. Bring bills of various denominations.

Health:

If you want go to the jungle, you must get a yellow fever vaccination, obtain adequate health insurance and consult your doctor about the necessary immunization regions in the Peruvian jungle. Manu Tambopata, Iquitos and the Puerto Maldonado area you must consider anti-malarial pills and yellow fever shots. Again, consult your personal physician. Cholera vaccinations are not necessary. Most cities have doctors who speak English and other European languages. There are also, many private clinics.

Weather:

About the weather in the coast, there is little rain but this is covered with thick clouds most part of the year, from January to March the weather is sunny and hot. In the Andes, the dry season is from April to near October, the days are clear and sunny and in the afternoons and nights you can feel cold and even feel the freezes. During the humid season the temperature is moderated and very warm but many roads are muddy to be able to walk on and the mountainous roads can be closed, however there are many opportunities during this time when there are few tourists. In the Amazonia the seasons are similar to the Andes.