By: Jose Lopez.

Perú is the country of diversity, it is in the central and western South America, has an estimated population of 26'000,000 inhabitants, and 28 types of weather. Perú is divided into three natural regions longitudinally oriented north to south: the coast (Costa), narrow strip of desert where Lima and Peru's major cities are located, the mountains (Sierra), breathtaking mountain landscapes and colorful towns, and the forest (Selva), lush greenery and wide variety of flora and fauna.

Topics Customs and Culture. Tourism. Gastronomy. Asian descendant in Perú.

Customs and Culture Peruvians tend to try to accommodate and please others. Peruvians have a relaxed concept of time, so meetings do not necessarily start on time. Peruvians are more interested in relationships than a time schedule. Families are very important. When introducing themselves for the first time, members of the opposite sex shake hands. Men who know each other well will shake hands or pat each other on the back. Women who know each other will kiss each other on one cheek. Friends will call each other by first names. Older people will be addressed by title and last name. Professionals will be addressed by their professional title and last name, e.g., Dr. Adams. Peruvians use a lot of hand gestures and are animated when they talk. People also stand very close to each other and touch each other. Maintaining eye contact is important. Marinera Huaino Danza selvática Alcatráz

Customs and Culture Peruvians wear western-style clothing in urban areas. They tend to dress up when going into public. It is inappropriate to go out of the house wearing dirty or old clothing. The ethnic groups in Peru include Indians, Europeans of Spanish descent, Non-Spanish Europeans, African descendants, Chinese, and Japanese. The major ethnic groups are Indians and Europeans of Spanish descent. Most Peruvians live in urban areas and over half of the Peruvians are under 15. The official languages of Peru are Spanish, Quechua (Indian), and Aymara (Indian). Peruvians generally speak both Spanish and one Indian language (specially in some parts of the Sierra). There are actually over 40 Indian languages in Peru. Peruvians with a more formal education (usually in the Coast) might also know English. The official religion in Peru is Christianity (Catholicism). The denomination is the Roman Catholic Church. There are also Protestant and Evangelic churches there as well. Among the Indians, beliefs may be mixed between Christianity and traditional beliefs. Source:© 2002 by University of Michigan Health Systems Developed by Duren and Associates, Inc For further reading: Culture Briefings ( Marinera Huaino Danza selvática Alcatráz

Customs and Culture Perú has different customs, such as every village has its way of cooking, dress, talk and have fun. Perú is a happy country. Peruvians love to dance. But our dances also differ, for example, on the coast (Costa) they dance the marinera where the guitar and the cajón (a box made of wood) are used. Another dance is the huaino, which is danced in the mountains (Sierra) and is one of the oldest dances of our country, is a strong and agile footwork. There is also the alcatraz. This is danced by african descendants in Perú. The woman has a handkerchief tied to her back, and the man tries to fire/light it with a candle, while dancing. The cajón and guitar set the pace in this fun dance. In the forest (Selva) there is the dance of the gang. People travel the streets with this dance, as he goes tearing down the "umsha" or decorated tree. Marinera Huaino Danza selvática Alcatráz

Gastronomy The cuisine of Perú is the one of most diverse in the world, as evidenced by the fact that it is the largest number of dishes in the world, totaling 491 and they reached a level equivalent to that of French, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. The cuisine has been the meeting point of different cultures, it is often attractive because of its colorful and sometimes for their spicy flavor from the chili. Rice is a food that accompanies many dishes of Peruvian cuisine popularized mainly by the Cantonese Chinese influence. Each region of Perú has some distinctive features. The ceviche, chili chicken/hen (aji de gallina) and rice with chicken (arroz con pollo) are some samples of cuisine from many parts of the coast, the pachamanca or the spicy guinea pig, from different corners of the mountains (Sierra), and the jerky with tacacho, chonta salad and the delicious juanes, of our forest (Selva). Among the desserts, we can mention the picarones that are made on the basis of sweet potato and pumpkin, served with honey, the mousse of lúcuma that is the basis of this delicious fruit, the delicious rice pudding (arroz con leche), the mazamorra morada, among others. Among the most outstanding beverages, we drink the chicha morada which is made with purple corn boiled, which once cool, are added chunks of pineapple, lemon drops, sugar, and ice. The pisco sour has been named lately by some people as the national drink. This liquor is made of grapes from two local varieties of grapes (uva): the uva quebranta and the uva Italia (Italy grape), that grow in some regions of Perú. Arroz con pollo Chicha morada Para a la huancaína Pisco sour Cebiche Juane Mousse de lúcuma Picarones

Tourism Perú has three geographical regions which in themselves are extreme opposites. One such region is in the Amazon basin, called Selva Peruana, where new species of birds and other animals and plants are still being documented and so far are completely unknown to science. In this area of Perú where tourists can visit jungles and cities accessible only by air. Iquitos and Pucallpa are two of the most important cities in this region. The high Andes is a world in itself, it is named the Peruvian Andes and is located in the Sierra Peruana. The height can be significant enough to initially create some slightly different feelings in the body. The view and scenery of the snowy mountains is impressing, the pleasant climate and the features of the Inca culture, both in stone and in the gracious character of those who live there, make you feel like you are walking through the pages one of those books of fantasy literature. Machu Picchu is located here in the city of Cuzco. The Coast (Costa) of Perú is not at all like what we have already mentioned. The climate is dry to the point that in many parts is desert. The capital, Lima, is located in this area as well as other major cities like Arequipa, Trujillo, Chiclayo. In addition to the normal places found in the big cities, here there are archaeological sites and cultural areas very interesting to tourists. But Perú does not end there, nature continues to impress the visitor beyond the coast. Not far away there are islands where millions of birds and colonies of sea lions live together. Machupicchu Nevado Huascarán Líneas de Nazca Catedral de Lima

Asian descendant in PERU Immigration in Perú is an activity that has occurred since the time of the first immigrants. The first Chinese arrived at Perú in 1849 to fulfill tasks in the guano islands and coastal haciendas, they allowed a significant increase in the production of sugar cane and cotton because of their ancestral knowledge of farm work and his physical effort, this allowed the economic stability of their employers, the Peruvian elite. Chinese culture, revolutionized the Peruvian cuisine, earning international recognition for those who have had a chance to taste it when visiting our country.

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