It is made up of a variety of landscapes, from mountains and beaches to deserts and rain forests. Most people live along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where the capital, Lima, is located. Along Peru’s west coast is a narrow strip of desert 1,555 miles (2,500 kilometers) long.

Peru’s landscape consists of three regions stretched north to south: the dry coastal plain (locally called the Costa) in the west, the Andes Mountains (also called the Sierra) in the center, and, in the east, the vast Amazon rainforest (usually called the Selva, and sometimes La Montaña).

The country has three main geographic zones: the Andean highlands, the desert coast and the largely unpopulated Peruvian Amazon.

The geographic positioning of Peru adjacent to the adjoining Nazca and South American tectonic plates – converging in the Atacama trench off the Pacific coast – serves as the catalyst to many of Peru’s natural hazards. Peru shares control of Lake Titicaca, world’s highest navigable lake, with Bolivia.

Peru is a colorful land of textiles, ancient ruins, and incredible culture. It’s also home to one of America’s favorite foods – and an interesting national dish! It comes in 22 natural colors and its wool is considered the world’s most luxurious fabric. Roasted guinea pig – Cuy – is the national dish of Peru.

Adventure, culture and food: 9 things Peru is famous for

1. Machu Picchu. The citadel of Machu Picchu during its reopening in Cuzco on April 1, 2010.
2. Colca Canyon. A group of tourists enjoying the view at Colca Canyon in Peru.
3. Rainbow Mountains.
4. Amazon jungle.
5. Nazca Lines.
6. Cusco.
7. Dune Hiking.
8. Pisco.

The character of the city Perhaps the best clue to the significance of Lima to the country of Peru can be found in its most popular nickname: El Pulpo (“The Octopus”).

When greeting someone they know very well, it is common for Peruvians to simply use a quick buenas in passing or the standard hola, meaning “hello.” These greetings are friendly and informal and can be used along with other informal phrases such as: ¿Cómo estás? – This standard question means “How are you?”

In Peru, it is cat meat that is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Most Peruvians, however, see cats only as pets and believe that cows, chickens and pigs are what should be served for dinner.

South America. Elsewhere in the world, rat meat is considered diseased and unclean, socially unacceptable, or there are strong religious proscriptions against it. Islam and Kashrut traditions prohibit it, while both the Shipibo people of Peru and Sirionó people of Bolivia have cultural taboos against the eating of rats …

Ceviche. It’s Peru’s national dish, the best versions of this marinated fish dish are in Lima and it’s the freshest, zestiest and healthiest dish you will ever have.

Guinea pigs at a farm for the animals in Puno, Peru, where they’re considered a delicacy. The animals — called cuyes in Spanish — are usually cooked whole, often grilled, sometimes deep fried. Many diners eat every last morsel, literally from head to toe.

Guinea pigs are called quwi or jaca in Quechua and cuy or cuyo (plural cuyes, cuyos) in the Spanish of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Cuy (pronounced “kwee”), which is…guinea pig. While it might seem unconventional to tuck into furry critters better known as domesticated pets in the West, this indigenous mammal has been a staple in Peru’s Andean diet for around 5,000 years.

cuy

Generally speaking, guinea pig pet parents have found that male guinea pigs tend to be a little more confident or bolder than females. This can sometimes lead to training males and being able to handle them a little easier than their shyer counterparts.

Dolphin meat is consumed in a small number of countries world-wide, which include Japan and Peru (where it is referred to as chancho marino, or “sea pork”). Cooked dolphin meat has a flavor very similar to beef liver. Dolphin meat is high in mercury, and may pose a health danger to humans when consumed.

Horse meat is commonly eaten in many countries in Europe and Asia. Horse meat is consumed in some North American and Latin American countries, but is illegal in some others.

Taco Bell has officially joined Club Horse Meat. The fast-food chain and subsidiary of Yum Brands says it has found horse meat in some of the ground beef it sells in the United Kingdom. Sure, the mastermind behind the Double-Decker Taco Supreme is a fast-food mainstay in the US.

Aldi said tests on random samples demonstrated that the withdrawn products contained between 30% and 100% horse meat. “This is completely unacceptable and like other affected companies, we feel angry and let down by our supplier. If the label says beef, our customers expect it to be beef.”

U.S. horse meat is unfit for human consumption because of the uncontrolled administration of hundreds of dangerous drugs and other substances to horses before slaughter. These drugs are often labeled “Not for use in animals used for food/that will be eaten by humans.”

Burger King cut off one of its suppliers in response. But as the AP reported at the time, Burger King said it conducted DNA tests on its burgers and found no traces of horse meat.

Horse meat, or chevaline, as its supporters have rebranded it, looks like beef, but darker, with coarser grain and yellow fat.

Camel is eaten as a staple, everyday meat in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, while it is considered a gourmet meat in other countries and used only for special occasions, such as ceremonies and wedding feasts.

Although camel meat is tougher than cow meat, the flavor is similar to beef or veal, with a subtle, sweet aftertaste. Camel hump fat helps give the patties moisture, and cilantro, mint, cumin and paprika add a bold, herbaceous quality.

Camel meat is healthier because the carcass contains less fat and has lower levels of cholesterol in the fat than other meat animals. Camel meat is also relatively high in polyunsaturated fatty acid in comparison to beef (Dawood and Alkanhal 1995. Nutrient composition of Najdi-camel meat.

Camel milk protects against diabetes and improves its symptoms by: Controlling blood sugar levels. Reducing fasting blood sugar. Decreasing insulin resistance.

Normally it has a sweet and sharp taste, but sometimes it is salty (Rao, 1970). At times the milk tastes watery. In certain countries there are prejudices among the urban population concerning camel milk. It is considered as having an unpleasant taste (Yasin and Wahid, 1957).