Peru’s politics may be in disarray at present, but this beautiful country (the third largest in South America) has a lot to teach us on how to look after our natural world and wildlife. Home of the ancient Inca culture (Machu Picchu is an ancient citadel set high in the Andes mountains), this is home to 70% of the world’s alpaca population and a unique world where many people live on floating islands made of grass.
Potatoes rule Peru! Like us in England, everything’s about the humble spud and it’s the most popular dish by far. There are over 4000 varieties that grow in the highlands, and even grown in colours like yellow and pink! The country even has a National Potato Day!
Peru is one of the countries that houses the Amazon river which obviously means it’s part of the Amazon rainforest. The ‘lungs of the planet’ are responsible for most of the world’s oxygen and a good portion of its fresh water, yet people in the western world are destroying their plants and homes by purchasing unsustainable ‘rainforest beef and soy’, which is when areas are burned and slashed to raise cattle or grow soy for western consumers (most soy is actually sold to livestock farmers, rather than to humans). But if you eat tofu, ensure it’s a sustainable brand (some like Oumph! now source from Europe).
Why are Peru’s mountains coloured like rainbows? It’s simple minerology that creates a marble effect with weather, environment and sedimentary deposits.
