Tourism and transportation in Peru
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Peru |
Tourism has contributed significantly to Peru’s revenues. However, political unrest, guerrilla activity in the sierra, and cholera outbreaks slowed tourism during the 1980s and 1990s. It began to pick up again in the early 2000s. Many tourists come to see the remains of Peru’s Inca and pre-Inca civilizations. The Inca stronghold at Machu Picchu high in the Andes is a major attraction. Ruins of pre-Inca societies are found around Lake Titicaca. Archaeological museums in Lima and other Peruvian cities display pre-Columbian art—art objects from cultures that flourished before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. |
Scenic villages in the Andes provide opportunities for visitors to observe Native American traditions and culture today. Cuzco, a picturesque city in southern Peru, reflects both the country’s Inca heritage and its Spanish colonial past and is also popular with tourists. Francisco Pizarro built his palace at Cuzco, which had been the capital of the Inca Empire. Despite many earthquakes, the historic center of Lima still has buildings of interest from the period when Spain’s empire in the Americas was ruled from Peru. Peru’s system of railroads, highways, and airports was expanded considerably in the second half of the 20th century. |
The country’s mountains make surface transport difficult, however. In 2004 Peru had about 78,829 km (about 48,982 mi) of roads, of which 14 percent were paved. The main artery is a section of the Pan-American Highway, which traverses Peru from Ecuador to Chile, covering a distance of about 2,495 km (about 1,550 mi). The Central Highway links Lima and Pucallpa. Peru also has about 2,177 km (about 1,353 mi) of railroads. One trans-Andean line, the Central Railroad, ascends to some 4,815 m (15,800 ft) above sea level, the highest point reached by any standard-gauge line in the world. The most notable inland waterway is the Amazon River, which is navigable by ship from the Atlantic Ocean to Iquitos in Peru. |
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Tourism in Peru. livinginperu.com |
Lake Titicaca also serves as a waterway. Leading Peruvian seaports include Callao, Salaverry, Pacasmayo, Paita, and San Juan. Callao, the port for nearby Lima, is the most important by far. The country’s main international airports are situated near Lima, Cuzco, Iquitos, and Arequipa. Aeroperú, the national airline, offers domestic and international service. Encarta |
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