Peru Facts for Kids
Do you live in South America? Have you ever visited the continent? One of the countries in South America is Peru. In this blogpost, we will cover all the Peru facts for kids from its size and location, to its geography and population. There are so many interesting facts to learn about Peru so without further ado, let’s get started.
BONUS: Download a FREE Peru Map coloring page at the bottom of the post.
Where in the World is Peru?
1. Peru is a country located in South America. It is located along the coastal region of the continent along the northern Pacific coast.
2. Peru covers an area of around 1,285,000 square kilometers. It is the third-largest country in South America by land area.
3. Peru is bordered by the countries of Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile.
Peru Facts for Kids – Geography of Peru
4. The Andes Mountain Range cuts through the country of Peru near the coastline. The Andes Mountains create uneven and challenging terrain in the country, but also leads to a beautiful landscape. Peru’s highest mountain is Huascaran, which has an elevation of 6,768 meters. That’s more than 20,000 feet tall!
5. Parts of the Amazon River flow through Peru. The Amazon River is the longest river in the world! You can also see the world’s largest rainforest in Peru. Parts of the Amazon Rainforest, or the Amazon Jungle, are also located in Peru. In fact, the second-largest portion of the rainforest spans the country of Peru, second only to Brazil.
6. Peru shares Lake Titicaca with Bolivia. The lake lies on the border of Peru and Bolivia and it is the second largest lake in all of South America!
7. Peru is home to some of the world’s deepest canyons, including the Colca Canyon and the Cotahuasi Canyon. The Cotahuasi canyon is currently recognized as the world’s deepest canyon with a depth much greater than the famous Grand Canyon in the US. It is almost double the size of the Grand Canyon with a depth of almost 3,400 meters at its deepest point. That’s more than 10,000 feet deep!
The Climate of Peru
8. Peru has a very tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius (64 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
9. Peru experiences two main seasons: the rainy season (from November to April) and the dry season (from May to October).
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Peru Facts for Kids – Peruvian Goods and Exports
10. Agriculture is an important part of Peru’s economy, with crops such as coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, and corn being grown.
11. Peru is one of the world’s leading producers of gold and silver.
12. Peru is also a major producer of copper, zinc, lead, and tin.
The Population of Peru
13. Peru has a population of approximately 31 million people.
14. The capital city of Peru is Lima. The city of Lima is also the largest city in Peru with about 9 million inhabitants. That’s almost a third of the total population of Peru!
Peru Facts for Kids – The Culture of Peru
15. The official language of Peru is Spanish. Approximately 84% of Peruvians speak Spanish, although other people of Peru speak languages such as Quechua and Aymara.
16. The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. One sol is worth just twenty-seven cents in US dollars.
17. The national dish of Peru is ceviche, which is fish or seafood marinated in citrus or lime juice. Have you ever tried ceviche?
The Ancient History of Peru
18. Peru is sometimes referred to as the “Land of the Incas” after the Incas who lived there hundreds of years ago.
19. The Inca Empire was founded by the ninth Inca emperor, Pachacuti, in the early 15th century and it grew to become the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. 24. At its peak, the Inca Empire had a population of around 10 million people!
20. The Inca Civilization was located in what is now Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina.
21. After being long sought after by Spanish conquistadors, the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1533.
Breaking Free from Spanish Rule
22. Peru remained under Spanish rule for over 250 years until gaining their independence in 1821. José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar were two of the main leaders of Peru’s independence movement.
23. Today, Peru is a member of the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the Andean Community of Nations.
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More Interesting Peru Facts for Kids
24. Peru is home to a variety of animals, including llamas, alpacas, guinea pigs, and several species of bird including the Andean condor.
25. Peru is also home to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Would You Visit Peru?
Peru is a beautiful country with something to offer everyone. Whether you’re interested in its ancient ruins, stunning scenery, or friendly people, Peru is sure to be a place you’ll never forget! Would you visit the country of Peru? What part of its rich culture and history would you be most interested in seeing? Let us know and make sure to send us all the pictures!
WANT MORE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS?
Check out these fun facts for kids here and browse all the other topics at the bottom of the post.
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