Description: The biodiversity and rich cultural heritage of Peru are an important focus of this book. Peru is described as a country that has many wonderful treasures to explore, from the ruins of the ancient Inca civilization at Cusco, to the tropical rain forests, to the mighty Andes Mountains. The text features important geographical features such as Huascaran, an extinct volcano and Peru's highest peak, and Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. Endangered species, such as the vicuna, and fascinating fish and reptiles, such as the anaconda and the piranha, are mentioned. The author shows how Peru is a land of contrasts, with three geographical regions having distinct climates and ways of life. In a chapter on history and government, the Incas and their fabulous empire are discussed. The reader learns about the Spanish conquest, led by Francisco Pizarro in 1532. A simple overview of the centuries of political and military instability leads up to the 1990s, with Alberto Fujimori's presidency and his attempts to reform Peru's government and military.

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