Peru

Author's Note: This is a piece I wrote with the goal of trying to somehow incorporate the 5 Themes of Geography for Peru into more than just a boring report. I tried to use description that would make the reader feel like they themselves were visiting Peru. As you may notice while reading, Peru is a very diverse country and may not suit every interest, but after going into depth and further research, I started to think that maybe someday even I  might desire to travel to Peru. 

Peru is divided into 3 very different geographical regions, the Pacific Coastal Strip, The Andes Mountains, and the Amazonian Lowlands. In the coastal region, it's very dry with the exception of thePeru is divided into 3 very different geographical regions, the Pacific Coastal Strip, The Andes Mountains, and the Amazonian Lowlands.

 In the coastal region, it's very dry with the exception of the Pacific Ocean in the west, and is mostly made up of deserts. Lima, the capital, is located in the coastal region. Some parts of this region that are closer towards the water are known as the "oasis," because the soil is very fertile there. This is because there are approximately 40 rivers cascading from the Andes that carry rich silt. 

The Andes are split into 3 sections, Southern, Central, and Northern. In the Northern region, it is hot because it is fairly close to the equator. There are even rainforests in the Northern Andes because of the humid, rainy climate. As you move to the south, it tends to get colder because of the cool Humboldt current of the Pacific moves up, hitting the Southern Andes and making it chilly. On the Western edge of the Andes, the weather is an “in-between” climate because it is right in the middle of the Equator and the Humboldt current. 

Just like in the Andes, climate varies on where you are in the country. It could be very cold in the mountains and warm and humid in the jungle on the same day. On the coast, it is a temperate climate with pretty warm and sunny days. With very small rainfall, there's one exception of strong rains in the summer months (Dec.-March) Also on the coast, winter is from June until September, while during these months in the Andes, it is usually sunny and warm during the day. Typically, heavy rains are experienced from December up until April.The Andean region is basically warm in the North, medium in the West, and cool in the South, with more intense rains in the northern area.  In one region, it is a tropical, wet climate whereas on the coast, it almost never rains. The Amazon has a tropical climate with torrential rains that are increased in the summer months. Weather varies from tropical in the East, to dry desert in the West;and temperate to frigid in the Andes. 

Overall, the Andes cover almost 40% of Peru. Fronting this enormous chain of mountains is a rocky coastline, that is mountainous and sandy, dissected by dozens of of small rivers that eventually flow into the Pacific. In the east, the Andean Highlands slowly slope down into the Amazon jungles and some of Peru’s many rivers. A few of these rivers include the Apurimac, Maranon, Napo and Ucayali - to name but a few.  

Although many are not safe for drinking or for other resources, water mostly comes from rainfall or the mountains, filling the rivers. Snow melts and drains into rivers also.  During the dry season, almost all year, water comes from melting ice and snow. At certain times during the day, even in parts of Lima, most towns and cities do not provide water because there is not much of it to go around especially during the dry season. In some dry spots, like coastal deserts, irrigation is very important to keep everything going. Ways of irrigation in Peru vary per the region. Digging wells/canals are popular along with tunnels to hold and store the water. 

Along with any area in the world, there are going to be some sort of plants and animals/humans. Peru's plant and animal life is one of the most diverse in the world thanks to the Andes, the Amazon, and the Pacific Ocean.  There are over 1,800 species of birds, hundreds of mammals including rare cats like jaguars and pumas, and the coast is full of marine life. The coast, the river valleys, and the highlands all vary having many types and species of plant life. The tree line in the highlands are known as puna, where many cacti, bushes and drought-resistant plants extend into the mountains. On the low slopes of the Andes are mosses, orchids, and bromeliads. The Amazon has lots of strange tropical trees and many other types of plants and animals. 

Peru’s population in 2011 was 29,399,817. Compared to the US with 310 million in 2011, Peru’s population is sparse. This is probably because  there is not much immigration into Peru because there are almost no jobs, and when people move to live somewhere else, it is usually for economic reasons. Peru is a developing country in the categories of  jobs and technology. Also, not many people would want to or could become accustomed to life in the Andes, rainforest, desert, and other odd climates of Peru. A large majority of citizens born in Peru stay there for the rest of their lives. 

People who have lived in Peru all their lives know what’s fun to do. Soccer, futbol in Spanish, is a very popular activity for kids and adults. You will see kids playing in the street and even adults will join in. Parks are also a common place to hold soccer games and other recreational events especially for the children. There are varied festivities for each town's traditions and beliefs that include dancing, music, food, and fun. 

Beliefs are what or who someone believes in. Each region in Peru has a variation of beliefs and cultures depending on the people living there. In the Andean region, people believe that energy exists in all things and it needs to be kept at a healthy balance. The energy is believed to exist in all living things such as trees, mountains, etc. They highly believe in Mother Earth. A large part of the beliefs from the Andean region come from the Incas. Most people in the Amazon live in tribes or in villages. Although people in the Amazon don't do everything on their own from the jungle, they still follow a lot of the same traditions while sometimes going out to market's and places, etc. to buy food, clothing and anything they can’t get in the Amazon. All over Peru, Roman Catholicism is a popular religion especially in Lima. 

Religion is something that falls under beliefs and even traditions/culture in some places of the country. 89% of people over the age of 12 refer to themselves as catholic, 6% as Evangelicals, and 2% as other denominations of Christianity. Along with Catholicism, expressions of the native religion, based on the cult of the Sun, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and elements of nature, are also a large part of the many different religions in Peru. Past culture from family and ancestors can have affect on which religion you choose. 

Culture is a very important part of everyday life for people in Peru. Keeping traditions and culture can mean many things, like food, language, music, education and so much more. The most commonly spoken language in Peru is spanish because when the Hispanic settled, they brought the language with them and it stuck. Spanish in Peru has three distinct dialects – Peruvian Coast Spanish, Andes Spanish, and Amazonian Spanish. The isolation and geographic diversity accentuates the differences in the way each region speaks. It is taught along with other native languages such as Quechua and Aymara in schools. 

Schooling is free until the secondary level. Education is compulsory from the age of 7 to 16. Being a professor or teacher at the collegiate level is a very respectable position in the Peruvian society. 

In the Peruvian society, teaching is a very respected position. This fits in with economy, the way money and jobs work. Peru's economy used to be mostly dependent on their mining, agriculture, and fishing. No, light industry, service, and technology sectors take on a larger role. Also, Peru's GDP (gross domestic product- the number that represents the value of all services and goods produced in a country)  in 2007 was the highest in Latin America. In 2008, Peru's GDP was one of the highest in the world. 

Now, in the 21st century, technology is a huge part of the world around us and a large role in many place’s economy. As for Peru, information technology is still a work in progress. Peru is a country rich in various resources and ecological diversity, but lags behind other Latin American countries in innovative technology. In the bigger, upcoming cities such as Lima, the capital, technology and use of it is still growing. 

Along with any economy are the people in general that work within it. And along with people come everyday life basically. Everyday life could mean working, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc. People with jobs in Peru need a way to get around, in other words, transportation. Transportation isn’t as easy as it is here in the US for many of us. In the Amazon, lots of people use the Amazon River for boating transport. Ways of other transport around Peru include mainly taxis or public travel like buses. Public transportation is popular because many people don’t have a vehicle. Depending on where you live and the amount of money you have will determine the way you get around, and live in general. People in remote areas, the Andes, or villages, may have to walk a long distance just to get to a road or pay to ride on a passing truck carrying goods. Paved roads are highly tolled and can be expensive. The many dirt or non-paved roads are sometimes closed due to weather. 

Speaking of weather, Peru’s is just as dramatic as the scenery. Depending on the region you are in, weather can change very drastically. Basically, there are 4 types of biomes in Peru: Desert, Tropical Rain Forest, Marine, and Alpine. In the Desert near the coast of western Peru, it is very hot and dry. People use irrigation systems to get water into these deserts because there is very little of it there. In the Tropical Rainforest (Amazon), it is hot, wet, and humid during the day and is typically about 80 degrees (give or take a few). At night in the rainforest, temperatures range from about 67 degrees to sometimes even cooler. On the western coast of Peru, you will find beautiful picturesque landscaping of the desert meeting the ocean. From April to November, Lima and other cities in the  coastal area are covered in a layer of mist from the desert's warm air hitting the Humboldt's cool current. In the Andes, average daily temperatures fall below 50 degrees and can drop below freezing during the nighttime.

While traveling back West, you’ll definitely run into the Andes, a huge landform pretty hard to miss! Also, a major attraction in Peru is Machu Picchu, located about 1.5 miles above Sea Level in the Cusco Region. It is a historic Incan ancient city. It is thought to be an ancient city put together with cut stone fit with mortar so precisely, a knife blade can’t slip through the cracks. Machu Picchu is a historic, very popular, and beautiful site nestled in a well named, Machu Picchu Mountain. 

Back to the Andes. This mountain range is giant and well known. It stretches across about the entire western coast of Peru and through Chile, Ecuador and Columbia. The Andes are the longest chain of mountains in the world. Many Andean peaks rise over 20,000 feet. Another huge landform is the Amazon River. The Amazon River is a different kind of large than the Andes, this river is long. The second longest river in the world actually. The Amazon River and its jungle are home to thousands of animals, including the rare pink river dolphin and the giant river otter. Also, there are many types of flowers and even people living in, around and along the Amazon River and jungle. Not just plants, but flowers, and fruits too, like the Red Passion Flower and the guava. With the rainforest being 2,124,000 sq miles in size, there’s going to be a diverse ecosystem. Many people live right on the river, such as the town of Iquitos, or very close to it and rely heavily on it as a resource (transportation, food, bathing, etc.) 

Culture of people, and especially those living on and along the Amazon River is very important. Most people living on the Amazon or near it are a part of a village or small town, not just out on their own, with the exception of a few. Culture in Peru is born from interactions between the indigenous populations, Hispanic settlers, and later immigrant groups. Culture is basically being brought up a certain way, and that becomes a normal way of life. For example, if you’ve lived in the Amazon for all your life, you’ll be accustomed to a humid, warm climate. After all, 24 of 32 the world's climates are represented in Peru alone. 

As I touched on, culture in Peru is born from interactions between different groups of people, including the Hispanic Settlers. In early times, Peru was known as a part of the Incan empire. The Incan Empire started very small but after a century, it grew to become very large and rich. At the height of the Incan power, Spanish conquistadors arrived and took over, assassinating the Inca’s ruler. 

The Spanish took over and began their rule, shaping and building up Lima. The Hispanics began building Lima and decided to put their new capital near the ocean, which they greatly depended on to survive from trading, fishing and other benefits. After time in the rule of the Spanish, Peru slowly took on to the Chavin and Sechin cultures which were based mainly on the depiction of animals, especially the jaguar. When the Chavin and Sechin cultures started slowing down in about the 5th century, it gave room for other regional cultures to grow. 

Some of these new cultures including the Saliner and Paracas, which are known for their artistic technological advances such as kiln fired ceramics and weaving techniques. Then from the Paracas, rose the Nazca. The Nazca are very well known for the "Nazca Lines." The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in Southern Peru. Geoglyphs are is a large design usually made on the ground and formed with durable elements of the surrounding landscape. A large majority of Peruvian culture is influenced by Andean, Inca, and Hispanic traditions even still today.  Pacific Ocean on the west, and is mostly made up of deserts. Lima, the capital, is located in the coastal region. Some parts of this region that are closer towards the water are known as the "oasis," because the soil is very fertile there. This is because there are approximately 40 rivers cascading from the Andes that carry rich silt. 

The Andes are split into 3 sections, Southern, Central, and Northern. In the Northern region, it is hot because it is fairly close to the equator. There are even rainforests in the Northern Andes because of the humid, rainy climate. As you move to the south, it tends to get colder because of the cool Humboldt current of the Pacific moves up, hitting the Southern Andes and making it chilly. On the Western edge of the Andes, the weather is an “in-between” climate because it is right in the middle of the Equator and the Humboldt current. 

Just like in the Andes, climate varies on where you are in the country. It could be very cold in the mountains and warm and humid in the jungle on the same day. On the coast, it is a temperate climate with pretty warm and sunny days. With very small rainfall, there's one exception of strong rains in the summer months (Dec.-March) Also on the coast, winter is from June until September, while during these months in the Andes, it is usually sunny and warm during the day. Typically, heavy rains are experienced from December up until April.The Andean region is basically warm in the North, medium in the West, and cool in the South, with more intense rains in the northern area.  In one region, it is a tropical, wet climate whereas on the coast, it almost never rains. The Amazon has a tropical climate with torrential rains that are increased in the summer months. Weather varies from tropical in the East, to dry desert in the West;and temperate to frigid in the Andes. 

Overall, the Andes cover almost 40% of Peru. Fronting this enormous chain of mountains is a rocky coastline, that is mountainous and sandy, dissected by dozens of of small rivers that eventually flow into the Pacific. In the east, the Andean Highlands slowly slope down into the Amazon jungles and some of Peru’s many rivers. A few of these rivers include the Apurimac, Maranon, Napo and Ucayali - to name but a few.  

Although many are not safe for drinking or for other resources, water mostly comes from rainfall or the mountains, filling the rivers. Snow melts and drains into rivers also.  During the dry season, almost all year, water comes from melting ice and snow. At certain times during the day, even in parts of Lima, most towns and cities do not provide water because there is not much of it to go around especially during the dry season. In some dry spots, like coastal deserts, irrigation is very important to keep everything going. Ways of irrigation in Peru vary per the region. Digging wells/canals are popular along with tunnels to hold and store the water. 

Along with any area in the world, there are going to be some sort of plants and animals/humans. Peru's plant and animal life is one of the most diverse in the world thanks to the Andes, the Amazon, and the Pacific Ocean.  There are over 1,800 species of birds, hundreds of mammals including rare cats like jaguars and pumas, and the coast is full of marine life. The coast, the river valleys, and the highlands all vary having many types and species of plant life. The tree line in the highlands are known as puna, where many cacti, bushes and drought-resistant plants extend into the mountains. On the low slopes of the Andes are mosses, orchids, and bromeliads. The Amazon has lots of strange tropical trees and many other types of plants and animals. 

Peru’s population in 2011 was 29,399,817. Compared to the US with 310 million in 2011, Peru’s population is sparse. This is probably because  there is not much immigration into Peru because there are almost no jobs, and when people move to live somewhere else, it is usually for economic reasons. Peru is a developing country in the categories of  jobs and technology. Also, not many people would want to or could become accustomed to life in the Andes, rainforest, desert, and other odd climates of Peru. A large majority of citizens born in Peru stay there for the rest of their lives. 

People who have lived in Peru all their lives know what’s fun to do. Soccer, futbol in Spanish, is
a very popular activity for kids and adults. You will see kids playing in the street and even adults will join in. Parks are also a common place to hold soccer games and other recreational events especially for the children. There are varied festivities for each town's traditions and beliefs that include dancing, music, food, and fun. 

Beliefs are what or who someone believes in. Each region in Peru has a variation of beliefs and cultures depending on the people living there. In the Andean region, people believe that energy exists in all things and it needs to be kept at a healthy balance. The energy is believed to exist in all living things such as trees, mountains, etc. They highly believe in Mother Earth. A large part of the beliefs from the Andean region come from the Incas. Most people in the Amazon live in tribes or in villages. Although people in the Amazon don't do everything on their own from the jungle, they still follow a lot of the same traditions while sometimes going out to market's and places, etc. to buy food, clothing and anything they can’t get in the Amazon. All over Peru, Roman Catholicism is a popular religion especially in Lima. 

Religion is something that falls under beliefs and even traditions/culture in some places of the country. 89% of people over the age of 12 refer to themselves as catholic, 6% as Evangelicals, and 2% as other denominations of Christianity. Along with Catholicism, expressions of the native religion, based on the cult of the Sun, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and elements of nature, are also a large part of the many different religions in Peru. Past culture from family and ancestors can have affect on which religion you choose. 

Culture is a very important part of everyday life for people in Peru. Keeping traditions and culture can mean many things, like food, language, music, education and so much more. The most commonly spoken language in Peru is spanish because when the Hispanic settled, they brought the language with them and it stuck. Spanish in Peru has three distinct dialects – Peruvian Coast Spanish, Andes Spanish, and Amazonian Spanish. The isolation and geographic diversity accentuates the differences in the way each region speaks. It is taught along with other native languages such as Quechua and Aymara in schools. 

Schooling is free until the secondary level. Education is compulsory from the age of 7 to 16. Being a professor or teacher at the collegiate level is a very respectable position in the Peruvian society. 

In the Peruvian society, teaching is a very respected position. This fits in with economy, the way money and jobs work. Peru's economy used to be mostly dependent on their mining, agriculture, and fishing. No, light industry, service, and technology sectors take on a larger role. Also, Peru's GDP (gross domestic product- the number that represents the value of all services and goods produced in a country)  in 2007 was the highest in Latin America. In 2008, Peru's GDP was one of the highest in the world. 

Now, in the 21st century, technology is a huge part of the world around us and a large role in many place’s economy. As for Peru, information technology is still a work in progress. Peru is a country rich in various resources and ecological diversity, but lags behind other Latin American countries in innovative technology. In the bigger, upcoming cities such as Lima, the capital, technology and use of it is still growing. 

Along with any economy are the people in general that work within it. And along with people come everyday life basically. Everyday life could mean working, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc. People with jobs in Peru need a way to get around, in other words, transportation. Transportation isn’t as easy as it is here in the US for many of us. In the Amazon, lots of people use the Amazon River for boating transport. Ways of other transport around Peru include mainly taxis or public travel like buses. Public transportation is popular because many people don’t have a vehicle. Depending on where you live and the amount of money you have will determine the way you get around, and live in general. People in remote areas, the Andes, or villages, may have to walk a long distance just to get to a road or pay to ride on a passing truck carrying goods. Paved roads are highly tolled and can be expensive. The many dirt or non-paved roads are sometimes closed due to weather. 

Speaking of weather, Peru’s is just as dramatic as the scenery. Depending on the region you are in, weather can change very drastically. Basically, there are 4 types of biomes in Peru: Desert, Tropical Rain Forest, Marine, and Alpine. In the Desert near the coast of western Peru, it is very hot and dry. People use irrigation systems to get water into these deserts because there is very little of it there. In the Tropical Rainforest (Amazon), it is hot, wet, and humid during the day and is typically about 80 degrees (give or take a few). At night in the rainforest, temperatures range from about 67 degrees to sometimes even cooler. On the western coast of Peru, you will find beautiful picturesque landscaping of the desert meeting the ocean. From April to November, Lima and other cities in the  coastal area are covered in a layer of mist from the desert's warm air hitting the Humboldt's cool current. In the Andes, average daily temperatures fall below 50 degrees and can drop below freezing during the nighttime.

While traveling back West, you’ll definitely run into the Andes, a huge landform pretty hard to miss! Also, a major attraction in Peru is Machu Picchu, located about 1.5 miles above Sea Level in the Cusco Region. It is a historic Incan ancient city. It is thought to be an ancient city put together with cut stone fit with mortar so precisely, a knife blade can’t slip through the cracks. Machu Picchu is a historic, very popular, and beautiful site nestled in a well named, Machu Picchu Mountain. 

Back to the Andes. This mountain range is giant and well known. It stretches across about the entire western coast of Peru and through Chile, Ecuador and Columbia. The Andes are the longest chain of mountains in the world. Many Andean peaks rise over 20,000 feet. Another huge landform is the Amazon River. The Amazon River is a different kind of large than the Andes, this river is long. The second longest river in the world actually. The Amazon River and its jungle are home to thousands of animals, including the rare pink river dolphin and the giant river otter. Also, there are many types of flowers and even people living in, around and along the Amazon River and jungle. Not just plants, but flowers, and fruits too, like the Red Passion Flower and the guava. With the rainforest being 2,124,000 sq miles in size, there’s going to be a diverse ecosystem. Many people live right on the river, such as the town of Iquitos, or very close to it and rely heavily on it as a resource (transportation, food, bathing, etc.) 

Culture of people, and especially those living on and along the Amazon River is very important. Most people living on the Amazon or near it are a part of a village or small town, not just out on their own, with the exception of a few. Culture in Peru is born from interactions between the indigenous populations, Hispanic settlers, and later immigrant groups. Culture is basically being brought up a certain way, and that becomes a normal way of life. For example, if you’ve lived in the Amazon for all your life, you’ll be accustomed to a humid, warm climate. After all, 24 of 32 the world's climates are represented in Peru alone. 

As I touched on, culture in Peru is born from interactions between different groups of people, including the Hispanic Settlers. In early times, Peru was known as a part of the Incan empire. The Incan Empire started very small but after a century, it grew to become very large and rich. At the height of the Incan power, Spanish conquistadors arrived and took over, assassinating the Inca’s ruler. 

The Spanish took over and began their rule, shaping and building up Lima. The Hispanics began building Lima and decided to put their new capital near the ocean, which they greatly depended on to survive from trading, fishing and other benefits. After time in the rule of the Spanish, Peru slowly took on to the Chavin and Sechin cultures which were based mainly on the depiction of animals, especially the jaguar. When the Chavin and Sechin cultures started slowing down in about the 5th century, it gave room for other regional cultures to grow. 

Some of these new cultures including the Saliner and Paracas, which are known for their artistic technological advances such as kiln fired ceramics and weaving techniques. Then from the Paracas, rose the Nazca. The Nazca are very well known for the "Nazca Lines." The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in Southern Peru. Geoglyphs are is a large design usually made on the ground and formed with durable elements of the surrounding landscape. A large majority of Peruvian culture is influenced by Andean, Inca, and Hispanic traditions even still today. 

Author's Note: This voice thread was made to give an idea of how on different sides of the Ande's Mountains the climate changes so drastically.

LINK