Peru — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Peru: capital Lima, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Peru is in South America. Its capital is Lima.

Climate

Arid along the coast; temperate to frigid in the Andes; tropical in the Amazon basin to the east

Western coastal plain (costa); high and rugged Andes in the center (sierra); eastern lowland jungle of the Amazon basin (selva)

Peru is home to Machu Picchu and has the highest navigable lake - Lake Titicaca.

Peru has 90 different microclimates, making it one of the most climatically diverse countries.

The potato originated in Peru, where over 3,000 varieties are grown today.

1438: Inca Empire begins its rapid expansion under Pachacuti

1533: Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire by Francisco Pizarro

1821: Peru declares independence from Spain

1879: War of the Pacific against Chile

1911: Hiram Bingham rediscovers Machu Picchu

2007: Machu Picchu named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World