Yanachaga Chemillen: a National Park rich in flora and fauna

The Yanachaga Chemillen National Park was established in 1986, it occupies 122,000 hectares in Oxapampa, a province of the region of Pasco in the Peruvian central Andes. It is a refuge of wildlife from the Pleistocene, a time when severe climate changes induced a great diversity in flora and fauna in the area.

The park protects habitats high in the eastern Andean slopes and down into the Amazon rainforest. The dense vegetation, unexplored in many sections, is a haven for many species without a scientific registration yet. Among the known species are 59 mammals, 427 birds, 16 reptiles, 31 fish and 1,956 of plant life.

Peruvian Cuisine: a Cultural Heritage

Originality, quality, and the variety of ingredients used in the Peruvian cuisine lead to the National Cultural Institute (INC) to declare it a National Cultural Heritage. According to a news report from the INC, Peruvian gastronomy has been considered one of the world’s best. Furthermore, the Madrid Fusion in Europe has awarded the title of 'Latin American Gastronomy Capital' to the city of Lima.                   

The INC pointed out that the Peruvian cuisine has a long tradition. And that on pre-Columbian time, Peruvian Cuisine had a magical and religious character, which grants its symbolic and cultural content.

Meals thousands of years old are still on the menu, such as “Carapulcra,” “Humitas,” and the “Pachamanca”. The many restaurants in Peru with their creative chefs have made the country an important culinary destination for tourists from all over the world.  Among the most popular dishes in Peru are: “Cebiche,” “Papa a la Huancaina,” and “Aji de Gallina”.

http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2007-10-26/declaran_a_la_cocina_peruana_p.html

Pachacamac reveals more of its secrets

The archaeological site of Pachacamac, once the most important religious and spiritual center for ancient Peruvian cultures, has gone through an important restoration program that has extended the areas for tourists to visit. Visitors could learn more about the life of the people that live here long time ago. As well as find out about the pilgrims who used to travel great distances to worship their gods and also to bury their love ones.

Pachacamac stands on top of an arid hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Lima. Among the new areas open to the public are: the Acllahuasi or Temple of the Mamacona, an Inca building that hosted high-status maids that were sent from all over the empire to worship the Sun and to work on fine textiles; the pyramid with a ramp No. 2, one of the 17 pyramids that have been uncovered, which were own by different high-status family groups who used them as lodgings while worshiping and giving offerings in the sanctuary; and the East-West and North-South streets, where visitors can easily imagine how the site looked during its peak years.

Juanito Bar: more than 70 years of memories

Juanito Bar has become a tourist attraction by itself, where locals and foreign visitors enjoy its traditional menu and drinks, which have been served for decades by its owner Don Juan Casusol and currently by his sons Rodolfo, Juan, and Cesar.

Situated in the bohemian and cultural district of Barranco, south of downtown Lima, it preserves its original design and decoration, as it was in 1937, with its faded ceramic floor; liquor bottles piled up in the shelves; walls filled with theater posters and cultural event signs. The sound of the traditional Creole guitarist playing the songs that brings up good memories to the patrons complements the ambience.

Juanito Bar has become a get-together-point for artists and musicians; it has seen many celebrities stopping by to enjoy one of its traditional roast meat or ham sandwiches as well as its drinks such as the Chilcano, made with pisco, the Peruvian liquor. It is indeed the most legendary and bohemian bar in Lima.

Readers’ Choice

Passengers at the Jorge Chavez International Airport, in Lima, can enjoy shopping quality Peruvian products at the Café Britt Peru outlets, which have been recognized as the best airport stores in the world by an opinion poll done by the Moodie Report publication. Moodie Report describes the outlets as a treasure that combines quality products and an excellent service, where customers can buy exquisite jewelry, beautiful handicrafts, music CDs, coffee, chocolates stuffed with fruits, alpaca garments, and more.

http://www.cafebrittcoffeecorp.com/eng/company/award.html

More Gold for the Peruvian Liquor

The international awards for pisco, the Peruvian liquor, keep coming due to its excellent quality and traditional ways of production that haven’t changed much since the 16th century. In this occasion, Pisco Mosto Verde Tres Generaciones was awarded with a Gold Medal and a Trophy at the Andalucia International Wine and Liquors Competition 2007 in Spain. For many at the event, this is a gourmet pisco, a bottled jewel, fine and delicate boutique liquor.

A funeral bale was uncovered in Lambayeque

The funeral bale of a noble member of the Sican Culture that may have live between the years 750 and 800 A.D. was found in a funeral chamber inside a “huaca” at the Sanctuary of Bosque de Poma in Lambayeque, in northern Peru. The noble man was found with a golden copper mask and a rod.

Peruvian Paso horse exhibition closes the EU-LAC

The EU-LAC II Business Summit that was held this year in Lima, which gathered authorities from Latin American, Caribbean and European countries came to an end with a graceful and stylish exhibition of Peruvian Paso horse at the horse-breeding ranch of Mamacona, in the southern outskirts of Lima city.

During the sixty minutes of the exhibition, the audience never stop praising the performance of the horses lead by their riders, the “chalanes”, who rode their horses sporting the traditional ponchos and big Panama hats. The most impressive act came when a girl danced the picaresque and grace Northern Marinera, a National Peruvian dance, with one of the horses and it’s “chalan”.

The Spaniards introduced horses in Peru, since then the Peruvian Paso horse has evolved as one of the purest breeds in the world due to its isolation for over 400 years. The Peruvian Paso horse is the smoothest riding horse in the world because of its inborn four beat lateral gait.

Star spotting in Cusco

Machu Picchu draws thousands of visitors every year from all over the world. Backpackers and spiritual searchers mingled with the standard and high-class tourists that come to admire in awe this extraordinary natural and archaeological site. Lately, Machu Picchu has become a magnet for world celebrities who come to enjoy its culture and history. In their way to the sanctuary, visitors also enjoy Cusco and the sacred valley of the Urubamba River.

Among the celebrities that have been spot in the region are: Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson that came to visit the orphan shelter they support. The movie-stars spent several hours with the children before moving on to Machu Picchu. Other celebrities visiting the region went unnoticed such as Julia Roberts, Leonardo Di Caprio, Renee Zellweger, Olivia Newton John, Gisele Bundchen, Kim Basinger and John Galliano. And some show up in public such as Bill Gates at the Inti Raymi festival, and Cameron Diaz who came to film a documentary for MTV.

http://www.terra.com.pe/entretenimiento/articulo/html/oci219954.htm
http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2007/06/19/uhora/faran_2007061915173210.shtml
http://peru21.pe/impresa/noticia/desde-hollywood-al-cusco/2007-12-06/96173
http://agutie.homestead.com/FILEs/wonder_world/index.html

Canada and Peru Free-Trade Agreement

A new free-trade agreement with another of the 7 largest economies in the world, confirmed that Peru’s economy is in the right direction in terms of growth. The trade ministers of both countries completed the negotiations in Davos, Switzerland, on January 26, 2008.

Potato: Treasure of the Andes for the World

Potatoes originated in the Andes, particularly in Peru, where the most genetic diversity is concentrated. They have become the world’s most widely grown tuber crop, and the fourth largest food crop in terms of fresh produce. Their versatility and easy preparation make them an important ingredient for gourmet dishes. Potatoes are known for their high carbohydrate and protein content; they also contain a number of important vitamins and minerals. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, aiming to revalue, increase, and promote, the investment and development of the production of this tuber. Since Peru has the greatest diversity of potatoes in the world, the event was launched at the Botanical Garden of Moray, Urubamba, in the region of Cusco.

The importance of potatoes as food staple in Inca times was shown in special ceremonies and festivities. Nowadays, in May 30, Peruvians celebrate the benefits of this produce in the National Day of Potatoes.

Future discoveries beyond our planet may benefit with potatoes as a food staple for astronauts on long-term voyages through the universe: in 1995, potato become the first vegetable grown in space.

Year of the World Summits

Since several international conventions will be held in Peru this year, the Peruvian government has declared 2008 as the “Year of the World Summits”. Among the main events are: the V Latin American and the Caribbean – Europe Union Head of State and Government Summit, which was attended by 60 heads of States/Government from both regional blocs; and the XVI Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) that will gather officials from the 21 member economies of the region.

Peru Ahora, Peru Now

The Peruvian government was given the rights to use the concept of “Peru Now”, which will be from now on the brand name to promote investment and international trade in Peru in the “Year of the World Summits.”

The Peruvian government declared 2008 as the “Year of the World Summits” since Peru host this year’s V Latin American and the Caribbean – Europe Union Head of State and Government Summit and the XVI Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) among others. These events will welcome more than 40,000 visitors such as head of states, ministers, investors and business people from around the world.

This project, Peru Now, promoted by the National Confederation of Private Business Institutes (Confiep) and Scotiabank Peru, is a joined effort made by the public and private sectors aimed to create civic conscience in the population and show the world a country that its economy is growing fast and solid. At the events, Peru Now will deliver publications in different formats such as “Peru Now & Out” that introduces the production sectors and growth indicators, a DVD with complete information about the country, and the legal security unit for investments among others.