Peruvians BY: KATLYN WIATER
Population Over 24 million people make up the population in Peru. 15% of these people are white. 37% of these people are Mestizo or mixed. 45% of these people are of the Indian Indigenous ethnicity. And the remaining 3% of Peruvians are black and Asian.
Language The Inca selected Quechua as the lingua franca of the Inca state and the language spread rapidly. It is the most common language in the Peruvian region on the eve of the Spanish conquest.
Religion More than 80% of the Peruvians are Roman Catholic, with Protestants, Evangelicals, and other Christian denominations are also present in common Peruvian practices.
Ethnicity Peruvian history is defined by people from seemingly distinct ethnic groups. However, in all reality, the nation has experience much more ethnic mixing over the course of the years.
Indigenous Ethnicity Nearly half of Peru s people identify themselves as Indigenous, primarily as Quechua Indians. The Indigenous ethnicity makes up a total of 45% of the Peruvian population.
This is a picture of some children who take part In the Indian influenced Indigenous ethnicity. Indigenous Ethnicity
Aymara Ethnicity More than 2 million people who live in the Andean highlands of Southwestern Peru (near Lake Titicaca) identify themselves as Amara.
This is a picture of a group of people who are all part of the ethnicity of the Aymara. Aymara Ethnicity
Ethnic Diversity 5% of the Peruvian population live in the Amazonian lowlands. Peru s ethnic diversity is due to the area s form of geographic isolation. There is estimated to be around 545 different Ethnolinguistic groups found in Peru.
Culture Divide In Peru, 53% of the population can be found in the costal region, 36% can be found in the Andean region, And the remaining 11% are found in the Eastern Rain Forest.
Urbanization There is a lack of job opportunities for Peruvians. Many of them were forced to move to urban areas. This caused a rise in unemployment, poverty, and sanitation issues. Soon areas called Shanty Towns were formed.
Shanty Towns Shanty towns lack running water. They have no sewer systems, electricity, or other infrastructures. The Peruvians who resign in these towns, have horrible housing conditions. Their homes are made out of such things as cardboard, cane, and scraps of metal.
This is an example of a house found in a shanty town. It is made of wood, stone and other natural resources. Shanty Town
Drug Production Peru is the 2 nd leading producer of cocaine. They produce around 100,000 tons. Only 10% of this production is used for medical purposes. The rest is sold and is used for the consumption of Western Nations.
Natural Resources Peru is the 2 nd largest producer of silver, The 3 rd largest producer of zinc, And the 4 th largest producer of lead in the world.
Rivers The rivers in Peru flow east from the Andes to the Amazon. They are used to create hydroelectric power which provides 81.4% of Peru s electricity needs.
This is a picture of a hydroelectric power plant in Peru. It converts the flow of the river into electricity used by the Peruvians. Hydroelectric Power Plant
Fishing One of the world s most extensive fishing industries is found in Peru. More than 50 species can be found there and many Peruvians catch bonito, drum, swordfish, yellow fin, shark, and many others.
Amazon Rain Forests Trees found in the Amazon Rain Forest in Peru include cedar, tornillo, and mahogany. Mahogany is the most important lumber for Peruvians. They much a big profit from selling it to the United States and Europe.
This is a picture of a Mahogany tree. Many can be found in the Amazon Rain Forest of Peru. Mahogany Trees
Social Problems The worst human rights record in the world is found in Peru. The government fought against a violent terrorist group called the Shining Path, killing many of their sympathizers. However Peruvians are still treated horrible.
Gender Issues Income for females in Peru is only 27% of what the men make. And 8.1% of women in urban areas are jobless. Not only is work an issue for Peruvian women, But 1 in 3 women become infected with HIV.
Farming 5,000 peasant communities located in the Andean highlands maintain their lives through the farming economy. Raising llamas, alpacas, and guanacos and harvesting grains such as quinoa and amaranth.
Foods Seafood is a dominant food on the coast while yucca and plantains can be found in the jungle. Potatoes are popular in the Andes.
Ceviche is the national dish of Peru. It is a spicy dish of onions and seafood. Ceviche
Potatoes originated in Peru and there are over 4000 different types of potato that can be found there. Peruvian Potatoes
Hungry but Poor The high cost of living has led many mothers living in lowincome neighborhoods to organize and form communal kitchens. Currently, the government has taken over and controls these organizations.
Communal kitchens in Peru cook and provide for 100 or so people daily, for a small fee. Communal Kitchen
Rite of Passage Baptism of infants, first communion and confirmation of children is common but birthdays may not necessarily be celebrated. Instead, it is more traditional to celebrate the days of death.
Relationships Tardiness of more than an hour shows you have poor manners. When greeting women, you are to kiss her on the cheek. Men greet by shaking hands. Giving the okay sign with your fingers is very rude.
Family Life Households include parents, children, and in many cases grandparents or aunts and uncles. Middle class houses usually have a nanny. Godparents are commonly a part of a family and are expected to help support them.
Education Classes are held in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Only one session is to be attended. Students are to wear solid gray uniforms. The ability to read and write in Peru are high for both genders. However, only 3% of the population are able to attend the university.
Literacy Peru has a literary tradition, one of the most revered contemporary writers in Peru is the novelist Mario Vargas Llosa.
Recreation Having fun in Peru includes going to bars, discos, and peñas where folk music is played. There are also various music halls, theatres, book shops, and art galleries.
This is a picture taken during a peña. Folk music and traditional dancing is celebrated during this festival. Peñas
Holidays There is a month long holiday celebrated in Peru called Lord of the Earthquakes. It takes place in October. Peru also celebrated Independence Day on July 28 th. It is required by law to fly the Peruvian flag outside your house on this day.
This is a picture of the Peru flag, posted in the ground and flowing proudly in the wind. Peruvian Flag
Fokelore The Incas believed that they descended from the Sun God, Inti, and that the reigning Inca was an offspring on the Sun.
Sports Peru is passionate about the sport of soccer. Their teams have qualified for the World Cup multiple times. People in Peru also enjoy to swim and surf on their beautiful beaches.
This is a picture of a man having a great time catching some waves on a beach in Peru. Gnarly man! Surfing
Soccer Teams The 2 teams, Alianza Lima and Universitario have an intense rivalry. In 1987, a plane carrying the members of Alianza Lima crashed while landing, leaving no survivors.
These are the logos of the two Peruvian soccer teams, Alianza Lima and Universitario. Alianza Lima and Universitario
Clothing In urban areas, clothing is typically western. In churches, formal outfits are worn. And in rural areas, they are famous for more traditional dress clothing.
This is a picture of some Peruvian women in traditional Andean clothing. Peruvian Clothing
Peruvian Poncho Peruvian ponchos can be made from wool or cotton. They can be long or short and worn by women and men of all ages. They are usually very colorful and are handmade and sold.
This is an example of a common colorful child sized poncho found in Peru. Child Poncho
Television Soap operas are very popular in Peru. Evening shows attract a wide following. Soap operas are also produced in magazine form with a series of photos and captians.
Music In Peru, traditional music is common in people of all ages, especially youth. Fire dances are also performed to attract and amaze tourists.
This is a picture of a fire dance performance in Peru. Not only is the fire real, but the danger is real, too. Fire Dance