Peru

At a Glance

Peru is one of the great destinations of South America, combining the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the ancient floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Amazon jungle, and the Pacific coast, all overseen by the remarkable capital Lima, which has become one of the world's foremost food cities. The culture is a vibrant blend of Andean, Amazonian, Spanish, and Asian influences, particularly visible in the extraordinary variety of cuisine. Those who take the time to go beyond Cusco and Machu Picchu will discover one of the continent's most layered and rewarding countries.

• Origin of the potato — over 4,000 varieties are still grown here.
• Machu Picchu was built without the wheel, iron tools, or mortar.
• Amazon basin covers 60% of the country — most Peruvians have never been there.