Peru: People And Society

Half of the country’s 26 million inhabitants live in the coastal desert. The other half lives in the highlands – these are Campesinos (peasants). More than half of the people of the country are Indian and one-third is Mestizo. 12% are white and 2% are blacks or Asian or other descent. In the Andes there are 5000 Indian communities. The Indians have a fairly poor lifestyle. Their literacy rate is lower than any other race in South America. Their diet is 50% inferior to acceptable levels. The mother tongue of the Indians is Quechua, the language that was spoken by the Inca. The Indians face a great danger at the hands of colonization, road building projects and other development programs.

Religion

90% of the Peruvians are Roman Catholic.

Language
Spanish is the main language. Most Andean people speak both Quechua and Spanish. Those who live in the remote areas cannot speak Spanish. English is now being spoken in airline offices, fancy hotels and other places where foreigners could be expected. 

Food

Chinese restaurants are good to the taste buds and pocket noodles; beef, chicken, pork or shrimp come for less than US$2. If you visit a top end restaurant you’ll need to add 18% to 31% in tips and tax.

Try a menu del dia (set lunch – inexpensive). It consists of soup and a second course and costs US$1 to US$3.

Culture and Crafts

The folk arts reflect the Andes cultural heritage. You’ll be able to see this most obviously in Peru’s music, dance and crafts. Colonial and Pre-Columbian architecture is sure to interest many. Wind and percussion instruments can be heard at fiestas. Handicrafts made in the Andes are products of weaving, pottery and metallurgy. Alpaca wool and jewellery is also fascinating

The most fascinating attraction in Peru is the Inca architecture of Machu Picchu. There is also some more brilliant Inca Architecture to be seen in the Cuzco area. Colonial architecture is still alive in the various cathedrals, churches, convents and monasteries that were built in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Education

Education in Peru is free and compulsory between 6 to 14 years of age. The country has many private, elementary and public schools along with 32 state and private universities. There has been a greater effort to motivate children to finish secondary school. New and innovative educational programs have been designed and implemented to improve the state of education in the country.