Here are some odd facts to ‘wet-your-whistle’ when it comes to Peru. I think you’ll see why Peru continues to hold its place of mystic and wonder for us. It might just be that you’ll have to come visit to find out for yourself…
Top 10 in No Particular Order
- The potato originated in Peru (Sorry about that Irish brethren!)
- 1 gallon of gasoline currently costs $5.10 (converted from liters)
- Lake Titicaca in South Peru is the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Highest mountain peak is Huascarán at 22,205 feet. This peak is only 7,000 feet shorter than Everest!
- Annual rainfall in Lima is .3 inches. Compare that with the Sahara Desert which receives approximately 3 inches of rain annually!
- Quechua is an Inca language widely spoken throughout Peru (Click here to listen)
- The literacy rate in Peru is 91% which is impressive for a country with such extensive poverty.
- The earliest evidence of human presence in Peruvian territory has been dated to approximately 11,000 BC.
- Peru experiences natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanic activity, and mudslides. (Nothing to worry about family members, just an interesting fact!)
- Guinea Pig is eaten as a delicacy throughout Peru! In fact, CNN.com estimates that Peruvians eat 65 million of these critters annually. (Click here to see but hold your breath!)