Peru

Quechua

Bibliography:

http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Peru.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Peru

By: Jordan Ficca & Kylie Groves

Culture

The food of Peru relies heavily on soups and rice. Depending on the location different foods are more popular. Seafood & plantains are typical on the coast. In the highlands meat, corn, and potatoes. A Peruvian delicacy is Ceviche, fish marinated in aji, a hot sauce made from spicy peppers, tomato, onions, and lemon.

The shared dress of Peru aids Peruvians in their everyday life. The women wear Lliclla which is a small handwoven shoulder cloth fastened by a tupu, a decorated pin. Also a colorful skirt called polleras made from wool cloth, bayeta. They usually wear 3-4 polleras but on special occasions they can wear up to 15. Women wear hats called monteras, with these you can usually tell what village the women is from. The hats are secured by a woven strap with white beads called a sanq'pa. Lastly, they wear sandals made from truck tires called ajoras. The men do not have as much as the women. They wear a woven belt called a chumpi. A wollen waistcoat called a chaleco, a poncho, a chullo, a knitted hat with ear flaps. Lastly, they were chuspas which is a woven pouch slightly like our pockets.

Religion

The religion of Peru varies but the main religion of Peru is Roman Catholic and christianity. The cause of this was the Spanish conquests. A small percentage is Seventh-Day Adventist, and another version of christianity. A little over six percent of the country is unspecified.

History

Peru declared its independence on July 28, 1821 from Spanish rule. The declaration followed the occupation of Lima by the Argentinian general José de San Martín and the fleeing of the royalist forces to the interior of the country. It was not until 1824 at the battles of Ayacucho and Junín that Peru was completely free of Spanish control. These battles were led by the Venezuelan generals Simón Bolívar and Antonio Joséde Sucre. Peruvian independence was established a few years later than most other South American states. This was due to the politically and religiously more conservative nature of the Peruvian history.

Nationality

Peruvians nationality is supported by a series of common characteristics such as language, religion, food, and music. Spanish and Catholicism have historically provided a strong sense of national belonging and cultural identity. Before roads or railways, the difficulty in conquering Peru's geography was one of the greatest obstacles to solidifying a national identity. Many Indians and blacks have suffered from racial discrimination. This uneven ethnic structure has made it difficult for these groups to combine as national citizens and to identify as Peruvians. However, a national identity is still solidly in place.

Territory:

-The land area was about 496,225 square miles.

-Located in cental western section of the South American continent.

-Borders Ecuador and Columbia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, Chile to the south, and the Pacific ocean to the west.

-The capital, Lima is located on the coast.

- 1/3 of the population lives in Lima.

THE REGIONS:

-Western coast: dry, desertlike regions to the north and south, more agriculturally productive lands along valleys are formed by western-draining Andean Rivers.

-Central Andes: run as a backbone of Peru and comprised of two large mountain ranges, snow-capped volcanoes and temperature mountain valleys.

-The Northeast:large region of Amazon tropical forest. has been the scene of oil exploration. Peru's tropical forest basin also is the source of three of the major tributaries of the Amazon River, the Ucayali, Huallaga, and Marañón Rivers.

Language:

-Spoke mostly Spanish and Quechua.

-Spanish is enforced by education and government.

-Spanish was introduced by Spaniards. it was forced upon indigenous population throughout the colonial period by Spanish crown.

-spanish was combined with the castillian tongue and many native Quechua and Aymara terms.

-Peru indians speak more of Quechua and Aymara.

Government:

-Constitution decrees a popularly elected president serving a five-year term.

-President selects the prime minister, who presides over the rest of the ministers, who comprise the cabinet.

-possesses a legislature of 120 senators, popularly voted a five-year term.

-judges are elected to Supreme Court by the President himself, from list of nominees submitted by National Justice Council.

-must be approved by senate before sworn in. Allowed to serve until reached 70 years of age.

Economy:

-portrayed as a country with developing economy dependent upon the export of raw materials and import of manufactured goods.

-one of the leading fishing countries.

-largest producers of bismuth,silver,and copper.

- 1/3 of the workforce is involved in farm labor.

- large-level importation of wheat, corn, rice, vegetable oils, dairy products, and meat to feed its population.