"Located in western South America, Peru is formally known as the Republic of Peru. Ecuador and Colombia abut it to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. With habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastline region in the west to the Andes mountain ranges that stretch from the country's north to its southeast, to the tropical Amazon basin rainforest in the east with the Amazon River, Peru is a megadiverse nation. Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, which is home to more than 32 million people. Peru is the third largest country in South America and the 19th largest country in the world, with 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi). With one of the longest histories of civilization of any nation, dating back to the 10th millennium BCE Caral–Supe civilization—the earliest in the Americas and regarded as one of the cradles of civilization—Peruvian territory was home to a number of cultures during the ancient and medieval eras. The Nazca culture, the Wari and Tiwanaku empires, the Kingdom of Cusco, and the Inca Empire—the biggest state in pre-Columbian Americas—are notable examples of successive cultures and civilizations. Following the Spanish Empire's 16th-century conquest of the area, Charles V created a viceroyalty with the official name of the Kingdom of Peru, which included the majority of its South American lands and had Lima as its capital.The National University of San Marcos was formally founded in Lima in 1551, marking the beginning of higher education in the Americas. Following the military campaigns of Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín, and Bernardo O'Higgins, as well as the pivotal battle of Ayacucho, Peru officially declared its independence from Spain in 1821 and achieved full independence in 1824. Peru saw phases of economic expansion intermingled with political and social instability during the 20th century, including internal strife between guerrilla groups and the state. Under the authoritarian leadership of Alberto Fujimori and Vladimiro Montesinos in the 1990s, the implementation of Plan Verde moved Peru toward neoliberal economics; the political philosophy of the former, Fujimorism, left a lasting mark on the nation's government that persists to this day. A representative democratic republic with 25 regions, Peru is a sovereign state. Mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and fishing are its primary economic pursuits; other, expanding industries include biotechnology and telecommunications.The nation is a member of the Pacific Pumas, a political and economic alliance of nations on the Pacific coast of Latin America that have similar tendencies toward greater governance, steady macroeconomic underpinnings, positive growth, and openness to international integration. Peru is regarded as a medium power and has a high social freedom rating. It is also an active member of the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Alliance, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Mestizos, Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Asians make up Peru's population. Although a sizable portion of Peruvians speak Quechuan languages, Aymara, or other Indigenous languages, Spanish is the primary language spoken there. A vast range of expressions in disciplines like art, music, literature, and food are the outcome of this blending of cultural traditions. Peru's dynamic cuisine, which combines Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian elements, has recently won praise from all over the world. With restaurants like Central and Maido that have won awards, Lima is today regarded as a gastronomic center of the world.

When you think of Australia’s capital, you might picture politics and parliament. But Canberra is so much more—it’s a city that mixes national history, art, nature and food into one smart and surprisingly lively package. If you’re searching for things to do in Canberra, Canberra travel guide, or visit Canberra Australia, you’re in the right place.