History
Nazca Lines
Ica Region, Peru
Giant figures of animals and geometric lines scratched into the desert floor by the Nazca people, best seen from the air or nearby hills.
Period: c. 500 BCE – 500 CE
Peru: leaders, famous people, culture and history
6 places on the atlas covering history, architecture, language, culture, festivals and crafts. Highlights include Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu, Quechua and Andean textiles.
See Peru on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- History Nazca Lines
- Architecture Machu Picchu
- Language Quechua
- Culture Andean textiles
- Festivals Inti Raymi
- Crafts Ayacucho retablos
Who leads Peru?
| President (head of state and government) | Keiko Fujimori |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Peru’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Peru
- Pachacuti Inca emperor
- Mario Vargas Llosa Nobel-winning novelist
- Cesar Vallejo poet
- Tupac Amaru II leader of an indigenous uprising
- Chabuca Granda composer and singer
- Hiram Bingham (American) the explorer who made Machu Picchu famous
- Julio C. Tello archaeologist
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Peru
- Greeting A handshake or a single cheek kiss among friends is common. Greet each person in a room.
- Dining Hosts offer lots of food; accept and try a little of everything. Lunch is a major meal.
- Public Ask before photographing people in traditional dress; a tip is often expected.
History in Peru
Architecture in Peru
Architecture
Machu Picchu
Cusco Region, Peru
An Inca mountain estate with precisely fitted stone terraces and buildings, high above the Urubamba valley.
Built: 15th century · Style: Inca stonework
Language in Peru
Language
Quechua
Cusco, Peru
The language of the Inca empire is still spoken by millions of people across the Andes.
Say hello: Rimaykullayki · Script: Latin
Culture in Peru
Culture
Andean textiles
Pisac, Cusco Region, Peru
Quechua communities weave bright patterned textiles in alpaca and sheep wool, with designs that differ from village to village.
Tradition: Woven ponchos and mantas
Festivals in Peru
Festivals
Inti Raymi
Cusco, Peru
A theatrical recreation of the Inca sun festival, held at the Sacsayhuamán fortress above Cusco at the winter solstice.
Usually: 24 June · Theme: Festival of the sun · Months: June
Crafts in Peru
Crafts
Ayacucho retablos
Ayacucho, Peru
Small portable boxes with scenes made of painted figures, a tradition that began with religious altarpieces and now also shows village life.
Craft: Painted wooden altarpieces
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Peru today, a short selection of well-known people from Peru, and the 6 places pinned for Peru on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Peru on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the history page, architecture page, language page, culture page, festivals page and crafts page.
Questions about Peru
Who is the leader of Peru?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Keiko Fujimori. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Peru?
Well-known people connected with Peru include Pachacuti (Inca emperor), Mario Vargas Llosa (Nobel-winning novelist), Cesar Vallejo (poet), Tupac Amaru II (leader of an indigenous uprising) and Chabuca Granda (composer and singer).
What festivals are celebrated in Peru?
Festivals on the atlas for Peru include Inti Raymi. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in Peru?
Notable buildings and sites in Peru on the atlas include Machu Picchu. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are important historical places in Peru?
Historical places in Peru on the atlas include Nazca Lines. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is Peru known for?
Language entries for Peru on the atlas include Quechua. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Peru known for?
Traditional crafts from Peru on the atlas include Ayacucho retablos. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Peru known for?
Food and customs from Peru on the atlas include Andean textiles. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Peru on the map?
Choose See Peru on the map above, or search for Peru on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Peru?
Greeting: A handshake or a single cheek kiss among friends is common. Greet each person in a room. Dining: Hosts offer lots of food; accept and try a little of everything. Lunch is a major meal. These are general customs, not legal advice.