Major FAQ-peru
GEROGRAPHY
The coastal zone
The Cost is an arid, misty hilly region between the Pacific shore, much of which is bordered by high cliffs, and the Andes farther east. In the north, it is characterized by a low, extr em ely faulted plateau, a substantial part of which is an almost flat, arable land where water for irrigation is available. Because of the nature of the terrain and its aridity, settl em ent is almost entirely confined to river valleys and small sections of the coast, mostly near the mouths of rivers.
A narrow coastal mountain range rises steeply just behind the Pacific shore in the southern part of the Peruvian coastal zone. It is composed mainly of a very rugged surface, much of which is covered by bare hard rocks with deeply incised narrow gorges. Trough like basins running parallel to this range separating it from the Andes . These flat-bottomed basins are covered with a thick mantle of sediment in which rivers have cut deep valleys. Agricultural settl em ents that irrigate and cultivate small areas of these valleys are actually oases in this desert like environment. Unlike other parts of the coastal belt, most of the population in the south resides along its eastern margins, away from the coast and close to the foot of the Andes .
The Highlands: the Andes
The highlands in Peru are generally considered to consist of two parallel ranges, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental , extending in a northwest to southeast direction. Valleys and basins, which follow the same direction and in the south broaden into the Altiplano (with lake Titicaca and a few smaller lakes), are generally cited as the structural features that separate the western range from the eastern one. Both the western range and eastern ranges, with peaks rising over 20,000 feet are not continuous, which are in most cases arranged in echelon. The high peaks and slopes are permanently snow-covered, with some r em nants of glaciers. Volcanoes, active and dormant, are confined mainly to the southern part of the highlands.
The basins and valleys wedged high between the Peruvian Andes are an integral high level surface over which, historically, the majority of Peru 's population has been concentrated. Most of th em , which lie at altitudes between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, are broad and covered with a mantle of sediment washed down from the neighboring mountains. They are crossed by rivers whose sources are in the Cordillera Occidental or in the basins th em selves and which are, in fact, the tributary headwaters of the Amazon River .
The Altiplano of the southern Peruvian Andes (which extends into Bolivia ) is made up of some basins and valleys of the high level surface, including Peru 's share in Lake Titicaca , with its densely inhabited environs. Only the lower basins and valleys of the high level surface are climatically within the zone suitable for agriculture. The altitude of most of this surface is outside the limit of cultivation or is marginal for some crops, such as potatoes, barley and corn. Much of the high level surface is used mainly as pasture for sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas .
The Eastern lowlands
The eastern lowlands are generally divided in the selva alta, the higher hilly areas at the foot of the Andes, and the selva baja, the lower areas farther east (especially in the northeast) that slope toward the boundaries of Colombia and Brazil . The selva alta is dominated by low, gently sloping eastern spurs of the Andes (1,200-3,000 feet) with broad valleys that have potentially arable land. There is a gradual transition to the selva baja , a much lower undulating plain where the relief is dominated by a dense network of rivers and river terraces. It slopes gently northeastward from approximately 1,200 feet to 300-400 feet. The eastern lowlands are covered with dense tropical rain forest. Over large areas the forest is so dense that access is possible only via the rivers. The eastern lowlands of Peru are, in fact, part of the western margin of the huge Amazon plain.
Source: (http://www.ddg.com/LIS/aurelia/pergeo1.htm)
CUISINE
Peruvian cooking differs by region. All over potatoes, corn and rice are still the staples of everyday cuisine; the three varying climates each have their own influences on what is cooked.
Along the costal region, as one might expect, the concentration is on seafood and shellfish with other favorites being kid and chicken. In the central highlands, a more substantial style of cooking prevails: meat served with rice or potatoes being the mainstay of the diet. In the Amazon jungle regions, the diet consists mainly of fish such as river trout, suppl em ented with tropical fruit and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and plantains. Wild boar, turtle, monkey and piranha fish are some of the more exotic ingredients used.
A common ingredient used throughout Peru is Ají, a hot chili pepper which is used to spice up many dishes.
Source: (http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Cooking%20by%20Country/Peru.htm)
PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE
Most Peruvians are very busy simply doing the necessary things to survive and earn their keep. That does not leave much time for travel. Many have not seen more than the surrounding villages or the next city over. There are very few Peruvians that ever have left the country (although the rich often go to Miami for shopping), although many have relatives living abroad. This may explain why Peruvians tend to be quite curious about other countries and lifestyles. And don't be too astonished when you are asked where in the US Germany is located. Ideas about the rest of the world are often interesting.
Generally, people are very friendly, peaceful and helpful. When in trouble, you mostly can rely on getting help. But as with any setting, it is always good to watch out for yourself and try to avoid bad situations. If you get into an argument, it is a good idea to r em ain amicable, but firm. Most of the time, you can find a compromise that satisfies everyone.
Source: (Let's Go Peru )
CULTURE AND RELIGION
Peruvian society is divided into three categories, the wealthy, the working class and the poor. A huge portion of the population lives in poverty, small villages pop up overnight on government land. Here the people have banded together to build small houses of brick and metal, some use branches and grasses. These homes have no electricity nor windows nor facilities. Often they are no more than dirt floors, open fire pits for cooking, and very primitive construction. Families also unite to put a roof over their heads and live as many as seven or more in small apartments. Parents, their children, and their children's children share rooms and facilities and hopefully one or two of the adults will have a regular job that will pay the bills. Working class Peruvians get low wages that allow minor luxury which isn't more than a decent furnished home. The wealthy is not more than 3% of the population and mainly lives in luxury areas of Lima .
Peru is rich in traditional dress, dance and music. Almost the entire population is Catholic and the family structure is well maintained and respected. Peruvian culture is on display more in the rural regions like in the Andes where traditional dress is maintained over the jeans and shirts you'll witness in the cities. In the mountains women wear billowing skirts of many colors with their dark hair kept neat in braids. The men where thick, well worn pants with brimmed hats and their faces show the generations of hard work that is a part of their traditional dress.
HISTORY
Peru 's history begins long before the Incan Empire though it is the most significant society of Peruvian history. The Incan Empire ruled for just barely a century but left a lasting legacy with archeological ceramic and architecture, style and color of dress, rituals and beliefs. The Incans are r em em bered as an innovative Native American people who designed a highly accurate calendar, tracked the seasons and the sun and were able to conquer many lands and bring people under a unified rule.
The Incans fell to a Spanish conquistador plot though they fought to regain their Empire, they never did recover it after the assassination of their ruler and the establishment of Spanish rule. The Spaniards took the capital of Peru to the ocean side and founded Lima in 1535. Peru r em ained under Spanish colonial rule until Independence in the mid 1800's.
What followed was a series of dictatorships and revolutionaries in the early years of cont em porary government. Fujimori became president during an active terrorist campaign that was plaguing the country during the 1980's and early 1990's. He succeeded in ending this campaign and catalyzed much social and political change. He was seen by some as a corrupt leader but he had the backing and was popular with a large majority of the population. Government in Peru proceeded as a constitutional republic and after Fujimori, another president elect was designated to run the country. Peru maintains its Republic with d em ocratically appointed presidents.
Language and Culture week
The Language and Culture week offers volunteers the opportunity to familiarize with Cusco . You will have a chance to visit the Plaza de Armas and local artisan shops. The city of the ancient Incan Empire will open up to you as you wander through local markets in a town of Spanish colonial architecture and Ancient Incan ruins that testify to eras long past. Every Peruvian will tell you that Cusco is the place not to miss because of its mystery and life. This celebrated city will be the backdrop for your Language learning and your playground for free time.
Spanish School
Your language lessons will be tailored to your Spanish language level through plac em ent tests and ongoing assessments. Beginner to Advanced students will have professional teachers who will develop their written and spoken Spanish during two hours of daily lessons. There are intensive courses available that offer four hours daily lessons. There are classes to meet every students needs. Moreover, the Language School is in a modern facility with 11 classrooms for group or private classes, a small library, and modern laptop computers running Windows XP, all with high-speed Internet connections.
Every classroom is equipped with comfortable chairs, a whiteboard, and a cassette and CD player. The main teaching room has a surround sound syst em , DVD player, cassette player and TV.
Spanish Levels
Basic
Basic classes are for volunteers with no previous experience in Spanish. Volunteers will be taught basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, and will immediately begin speaking in Spanish, thereby gaining a concrete foundation in the language.
High Basic
For volunteers with an el em entary knowledge of the Spanish language, these classes focus on reinforcing grammar, teaching new vocabulary, and increasing speaking capacity, enabling you to express yourself clearly in daily situations.
Pre-Intermediate I & II
These classes build on volunteers' previous experience with Spanish, reinforcing all areas of the language, with an increasing importance placed on speaking, reading, and vocabulary building.
Intermediate I & II
At this point, volunteers likely speak Spanish, but are still struggling with the more difficult grammar points. These classes focus primarily on conversation, reading, and vocabulary building; as well as on increasing your grammatical accuracy by reinforcing areas such as the use of the 'subjunctive' and 'indefinite past'. Focus is on the ability to express yourself spontaneously and to interact across a variety of social situations with increasing accuracy.
High Intermediate I & II
These classes build on volunteers conversational base in Spanish, and begin to more finely tune communicative competence by building vocabulary and introducing students to idioms, slang, and points of 'common usage' in Spanish. High Intermediate classes also include em phasis on written expression.
Advanced I& II
Advanced classes at the first and second level continue to fine tune volunteers' Spanish skills. Emphasis is placed on advanced communicative competence - the ability to communicate completely in the Spanish language, across all kinds of situations. Classes em phasize oral skills, sophisticated vocabulary, and increasing students' understanding and ability to use idiomatic Spanish. |
