Overview of Peru for Travelers

by Richard Monk, April 20, 2006

Peru is located on the upper west coast of South America. If you are considering Peru as a travel destination, following is an overview of the country.

Overview of Peru for Travelers

Historically, Peru was the location of the dominant early cultures in South America. The city of Caral has pyramid remains dated to between 2000 and 2600 BC, which may make it the oldest city in the world. Peru is also the home of the Nazca Lines, the football field size drawings in the ground that are only apparent from the air.

The Incas are a mysterious civilization, but one that was clearly dominant during its time. The Incas were based in modern day Peru. Although it was not a major city, Machu Picchu is the best known archeological remains of the Incas. It was discovered in 1911.

Machu Picchu, Peru

The Spanish defeated the Inca Empire in 1533, who remained in control for nearly 300 years. In 1821, Peru declared independence, but wasn’t able to defeat the Spanish until 1824. In fact, Peru was the last Spanish colony in South America.

Peru has seen periods of relative stability and near civil war since gaining its independence. In the late 20th century, conflicts with the Shining Path and Tupac Amaru rebel groups resulted in as many as 70,000 people being killed. Peru has moved beyond such conflicts and is experiencing a period of strong stability and economic growth. In a stunning development for patriarchal South America, Peru elected Beatriz Merino as the first female prime minister on the continent in 2003.

Peru is an interesting climatic country because it contains stunning mountains, flat plains and over 1,500 miles of beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Figuring out what to take is entirely dependent on the part of the country you will visit. Travel to Lake Titicaca, one of the highest lakes in the world, and you will need to dress for warmth. Visit the dry desert in the east of the country, and you will be dressing just the opposite.

Rio Madre de Dios, Amazon Basin, Eastern Peru

Modern Peru has a total population of 28 million people. Roman Catholic is the dominant language. The literacy rate is roughly 88 percent. After years of conflict, the country has suffered economically to the point that over 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. With stability returning, this situation is expected to improve.

Lake Titicaca in the Andes

Peru is one of the hottest travel destinations in South America. With the end of armed conflict, the chance to see Inca ruins should not be missed.

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com

About the Author

Richard Monk is with http://www.factsmonk.com - a site that has nothing to do with politics. » Read more articles by Richard Monk

Bolivia: A Geographic Portrait

by James Chartwell, March 26, 2005

South America's primary mountain range, the Andes, attains one of its widest points in Bolivia. Here the Andes are divided into two subranges, Cordillera Oriental and Cordillera Occidental. Peaks in these areas are in excess of 20,000 feet. Between these subranges lies the Altiplano which contains the highest navigable lake on earth. Lake Titicaca, which also lies in Peru, is 12,507 feet above sea level.

Also in the Altiplano is one of Bolivia's capitals, La Paz. At 11,700 feet it is one of the highest cities in the world. This region is home to one of the centers of Inca civilization and pre--Inca cultures.

Lake Titicaca is what helps make the Altiplano livable. This body of water is large enough to temper the coldness in its vicinity. Grains have been raised for centuries on the surrounding arable land up to the amazing elevation of 12,800 feet. The area supports a major group of subsistence farmers to this day.

Bolivia has had a troubled history. Aside from numerous internal struggles, the country first lost its access to the Pacific Ocean in a conflict with Chile. It then lost its northern territory of Acre to Brazil in a dispute involving the rubber industry in the Amazon Basin. On top of all that, Bolivia was forced to give up 55,000 square miles of southeastern Gran Chaco territory to Paraguay. Bolivia has reactivated its claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, to secure sovereign maritime access for Bolivian natural gas.

Modern Bolivia is the product of European domination, however that influence has not affected some of the Amerindian population clusters. But these indigenous Bolivians still lost their land as did their Peruvian and Ecuadorian counterparts. However, what made the richer Europeans in Bolivia wealthy was not land but minerals.

The city of Potosi in the Cordillera Oriental became well--known for the huge silver deposits in its surroundings. Zinc, copper, and other ores were found there. Bolivia's tin deposits provided a large portion of the country's export income throughout most of the twentieth century. But in the 1980's, tin reserves declined and that along with weak world prices reached the point where Bolivia's antiquated mining methods forced the industry to all but shut down.

Oil and gas are now accounting for an increasing portion of foreign revenues. Bolivia exports much of it gas to Argentina and Brazil. In return, Brazil is commtted to assisting the development of the corridor between Santa Cruz and Corumba, Brazil, in the southeastern lowlands. It is here that commercial agriculture--especially soybeans--is on the rise.

Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign. The country does have its problems, but it also has its optimism.

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com

About the Author

J. Chartwell has developed Maps-GPS-Info.com which provides practical information on GPS and maps that everyone can use. The website includes product reviews and a maps/GPS glossary. Visit http://www.maps-gps-info.com/gp.html

info@maps-gps-info.com

Mexico City, Mexico

Now that I've gotten started talking about one city (Beijing - see previous post), I feel inclined to go ahead and discuss another - in this case, Mexico City (la Ciudad de Mexico). I've been able to travel to Mexico City several times over the past few years, and its always an exciting experience! The view from the plane window during the descent into the city is quite spectacular as the city stretches out over the Valley of Mexico surrounded by volcanic peaks. Mexico City is one of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the world. It sits in the Valley of Mexico (at over 7,000 ft. elevation) surrounded by mountains and volcanic peaks (the two most prominent are Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl). Human geographers (particularly urban, cultural, and population geographers) and physical geographers both will find much to get excited about here. Most great cities are great because of many different factors. Mexico City is no exception. As the old historic center (el Centro Historico) of Mexico City sits on the same site as the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the city is abundant with history (both pre-Columbian as well as colonial), and archaeological sites. There is an excellent and efficient subway/metro city to get around the city. It is very easy to use this system to explore various parts of this vast metropolis.

As with the previous post about Beijing, I will now contribute a part of an article about Mexico City that I previously wrote for another website. The original article, "How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions", is located at this site:
How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions


Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the world. It is also very historic, with many sites from different time periods accessible by visitors. Because of its vast size, tourists may have a hard time deciding on what sites to visit. This article will describe what many consider to be the top 10 attractions (listed in no particular order) in and around Mexico City.

Mexico City Top Ten #1: Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo) - This is literally the heart of the city and the heart of the nation's capital. Located in el Centro Historico (Historic Center), this plaza is the second largest public square in the world (Moscow's Red Square is the largest, and Beijing's Tiananmen Square is third largest). At the center of the plaza is a tall pole with a huge national flag of Mexico. As this is the heart of the city, there is always something going on here. From indigenous dances and cultural events, to music concerts and political protests. There are always souvenirs being sold as well. The Plaza, located on a Metro stop, is also surrounded by several other of the city's top ten sights: the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, and Templo Mayor. It is also within walking distance of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, el Torre Latinoamericana, and Alameda Park.


Mexico City Top Ten #2: Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) - This is one of the largest cathedrals in the city and contains several architectural styles as it was built over a period of around 250 years. It is located on the north side of the Plaza de la Constitucion. Many of the materials used to construct the cathedral came from the destroyed Aztec temple that stood on the same site. Due to the nature of Mexico City's soil, the cathedral is slowly sinking (as are many historic structures). If you take a stroll through the cathedral's vast interior, you will see many religious displays and examples of architecture. If you are lucky you may also here the massive pipe organ or the cathedral bells.


Mexico City Top Ten #3: Palacio Nacional (National Palace) - Located on the entire east side of the main plaza, this government building is most famous for housing several Diego Rivera murals.


Mexico City Top Ten #4: Templo Mayor (Great Temple) - These are the archaeological ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor, which was dedicated to the Aztec gods of Tlaloc (god of rain) and Huitzilopochtli (god of war). This was the primary temple and focal point of the great center of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, which at the time was located in the same location but on a series of islands on Lake Texcoco. Many of the temple's materials were used by the Spanish to construct the adjacent Catedral Metropolitana.


Mexico City Top Ten #5: Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), Torre Latinoamericana (Latin American Tower), and Alameda Park - The Palacio de Bellas Artes was completed in 1934 and is one of the city's finest theaters and performance venues. The interior contains several murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros, and Tamayo. Visitors to Mexico City often enjoy a performance of the Ballet Folklorico at this venue. Adjacent to the Fine Arts Palace is the Torre Latinoamericana, completed in 1956 with 44 floors. At the time it was built this was the tallest building in Latin America. Visitors may pay to ride an elevator to an upper level observation deck (with an interior and exterior) for 360 degree views of sprawling Mexico City, the Valley of Mexico, and the surrounding mountains and volcanoes (on clear days). Look directly down to the east to see the Plaza de la Constitucion, Metropolitan Cathedral, and National Palace. Look to the southwest to see Chapultepec Park. Nearby the Tower and the Fine Arts Palace is Alameda Park, which was the city's first park, dating to the 1500s.


Mexico City Top Ten #6: Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park) - Located at the southwestern end of Paseo de la Reforma, this is the city's largest and most sprawling park (1,600 acres). Many pathways lead visitors through acres and acres of forests and lakes. Chapultepec Castle is located on a hill in the park and was once the home of Maximilian I and Empress Carlota, and is now open to visitors and home to the National History Museum. There are excellent views of Paseo de la Reforma and the Park from the Castle's various balconies. Also located in the park is a zoo, a lake with boat rentals, an amusement park, Los Pinos (the official residence and offices of the President of Mexico), the National Auditorium, and several other museums, including the Modern Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Children's Museum, and the excellent and massive National Museum of Anthropology.


Mexico City Top Ten #7: Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology) - Considered to be one of the great museums of the world, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia contains perhaps the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and art. The museum is massive and is arranged according to each of the particular pre-Columbian cultures, with entire halls and galleries dedicated to each. The central courtyard is famous for its vast square concrete umbrella. Popular exhibit halls include those dedicated to the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.


Mexico City Top Ten #8: Xochimilco - Located in the southern part of the city, these are the last remnants of the series of lakes that once were here in the time of the Aztecs. The area now contains a series of canals, where visitors may take rides on brightly colored gondolas. The canals are all that is left of the Chinampas (floating gardens) type of agriculture developed by the Aztecs.


Mexico City Top Ten #9: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe) - Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. The image of Guadalupe that appeared to Juan Diego on the very hill (Tepeyac Hill) where the Basilica is constructed is an important and easily recognizable national symbol. There are actually two basilicas on this hill, an old and a new (more modern) one. Construction of the old basilica began in 1531, and of the new in 1976. The apron of Juan Diego, with the image of Guadalupe is displayed for all to see in the new Basilica. It is most likely the most important religious building in Mexico and possibly in all of Latin America. The site is particularly important in Catholicism as it is the second most visited religious site after Vatican City.


Mexico City Top Ten #10: Teotihuacan - This pre-Aztec archaeological site is a nice day trip from Mexico City (about 25 miles out from the city). It is one of the largest archaeological sites in the country and at its cultural height (150 to 450 AD) was the largest city in the world with a population of over 200,000. The site contains two large pyramids - Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moom - and many smaller pyramids flanking the Avenida de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead). The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is also worth seeing. Visitors may climb to the top of the two large pyramids for spectacular views of the entire site and the surrounding countryside and mountains.


Original article by Paul McDaniel located at:
How to See Mexico City's Top Ten Attractions