Peru
Culture and Language
Peru’s culture is a mix of Spanish, Incan, and other indigenous influences. The Incas are the best-known pre-European culture, and their ruins such as Machu Picchu, and cities such as Cuzco, are dramatic, intricate, and colorful. Other native cultures pre-dated the Incas and their influence is still apparent in some parts of the country.
The floating islands of Uros are inhabited by a centuries-old culture that learned to build the islands out of Lake Titicaca’s reeds in order to escape other warring civilizations on the mainland, and the Aymara community of Isla Taquile prides itself on its fine decorative weavings; the men wear knitted hats whose colors signify whether they are married or single. They often knit while carrying on conversations or business.
Spanish is the main language of Peru, although in rural areas some people speak only one of the indigenous languages, such as Quechua in the highlands and Aymara near Lake Titicaca. In popular tourist areas such as Cuzco you'll find some people who speak English, but not many.
