Geography

With a surface area of 496,200 mi², Peru is the third biggest country in Latin America after Brazil and Argentina. This democratic republic is home to around 30 million inhabitants, 9 million of which reside in Lima, the capital.

This territory, which is twice the size of Texas, is characterized by striking geographical contrasts. Three main zones can therefore be distinguished: the Pacific coast, the Andes and the Amazon.

The coast, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, is a 60-mile stretch of desert land which covers the Peruvian coastline from North to South. It is home to the capital, Lima, as well as cities such as Trujillo, Chiclayo, Nasca and Paracas. The city of Arequipa on the other hand, the second biggest in the country, is located at the crossroads between the coastal desert and the Andes.

The coast is subjected to the cold Humboldt Current which makes swimming in the sea rather difficult. Only the northern extreme of Peru is spared by this current, which means high temperatures all year long, and almost 300 days of sunshine per year. The Mancora or Punta Sal seaside resorts are the ideal place for a few days of last-minute relaxing under the sun.

The Andes stretch across the whole of Peru from north to south. In the Huaraz region, the Huayhuash and the White Range are characterized by many peaks of over 20,000 feet and snowy peaks, and make for a privileged destination for keen hikers and mountain lovers. Here you will find the highest summit in Peru, the Huascarán which peaks at 22,204 feet. Further down south, the high part of the Andean plateau (at an altitude around 13,000 feet), boasts some stunning landscapes, frequented by herds of llamas and alpacas, and is home to the famous Lake Titicaca.

The Andes also form some deep valleys, such as the spectacular Colca Canyon, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Cusco region, where the main archeological sites of this civilization are located, including the one and only Machu Picchu.

The Amazonian forest represents over half the surface area of Peru, and the biggest biodiversity on the planet.

This tropical environment boasts an incredibly lush vegetation and is not easily accessible by road. The easiest way to access it is by airplane.

Many forest lodges organize excursions which take you into the heart of the jungle, to discover the local flora and fauna, whether it be in Puerto Maldonado, near Cusco, or up north near Iquitos, on the Amazon river.