The people of Peru display a mix of lifestyles, religions and appearances, and at least part of that variety can be attributed to the great history of the country. Before the Spanish invasion of Latin America in the early 16th century, the area was ruled by one set of tribal people after another, culminating in the Incans. The Spanish brought new cultural practices to the country in everything from religion to building houses, and this quickly became very widespread as the country was brought under Spanish control.
However, owing to the geography of the country, the smaller, more remote groups of indigenous peoples living in the mountains were largely untouched by Spanish culture. To this day, tribal life remains in many ways the same as it was, with these cultures dressing in indigenous clothes, living in agriculture-based communities and speaking the original languages. Quechua, which was spoken by the Incans, is still widely used in Peru, with an estimated 6 to 8 million speakers. Likewise, the physical characteristics of indigenous peoples remain distinctly Amerindian, whereas in the bigger cities you are more likely to see lighter skin and eyes, and more Western features.
In 1821, Peruvian independence was declared, and the revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar took over the running of the country. As a result, every town and city in not just Peru but Colombia and Venezuela too has at least one Bolívar street or plaza, and Bolivia takes its name from him. As ‘El Libertador’, he ensured freedom was properly implemented by 1824, and the Spanish were no longer in control. Bolívar remains a hero in the minds of the public to this day.
However, relations between Peru and its neighbours were not smooth, and over the next 100 years the government had its hands full fighting with the neighbours and trying to keep hold of the economy. The War of the Pacific between Chile and Peru from 1879 to 1883 all but destroyed the economy and the country has had little chance to build it back up. From 1914 onwards, Peru seemed to go through one military coup after another, some more destructive than others. Since 1990, Peru has been trying to recover and sustain economic growth, and it is now one of the fastest-growing economies in South America. Ollanta Humala has been Peru’s president since 2011.
Peru has suffered through surges of drug trafficking, which have threatened the recent relative peace of the country. Some estimate that Peruvian cocaine exports have overtaken those of Colombia. However, the problem is being battled and Peru does not have the feeling of a threatening, drug-financed country.
81.3% Roman Catholic, 12.5% Evangelical, 3.3% other denominations, 2.9% unspecified or none.
Social conventions:Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Kissing on one cheek between women and between women and men is common in coastal cities. Travellers should avoid the scruffy ‘backpacker’ look – it is not admired and considered bad etiquette.
Peruvians (and Latin Americans in general) are not really confrontational people – if you are struggling with some aspect of your travel (uncomfortable rooms, late buses etc), losing your temper will not get you very far. Instead, stay patient, keep smiling and someone will help you eventually, if only to make you go away.
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in the Lake Titicaca area. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
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