Chapter 16
South America,
Section 2 Peru
An Ancient Land
Looks to the
Future
Review Some Facts About Peru and Its People
Peru has 3 different Geographic Regions,
which are the Coastal Region, Sierra and
Selva.
Coastal Region
Sierra Region
Selva Region
The Selva Region is mostly
rain forest and takes up
nearly 2/3 of Peru’s land
area. It is usually hot and
humid. People live by
fishing, hunting and
gathering.
The dry, Coastal
Plain is Peru’s
second region.
It has very little
rain each year.
It only makes up
th
about 1/10 of
Peru’s land area.
The Sierra Region
is the final region
of Peru. It is made
up the Andes
Mountain.
Within the Andes
Mountains, a high
plateau is located.
It is called the
altiplano.
Native
Americans
make up
over 50%
of Peru’s
population.
Mestizo
make up
over 30% of
Peru’s
population.
Asians,
Africans and
European
make up the
remaining
population
of Peru.
Life in the cities is a
mix of old Incan
styled buildings.
Along with…
Spanish colonial
and modern
buildings can be
found in Cuzco.
Lima, Peru has
a mix of
historic Spanish
buildings and
modern
skyscrapers.
Life in the rural areas has many people who are
Aymara.
Life in the rural areas also has many people who are
Quechua.
It’s hard to imagine, but life in the rural villages do not
have telephones or busses. Young people learn about
modern technology in school.
Reviewing Key Terms
Altiplano
Sierra
Oasis
The altiplano is the
name given to
Peru’s high plateau.
It is found in the
Andes Mountains.
The mountain
region of
Peru is known
as the sierra.
An oasis is a
fertile area in
a desert that
has a source
of water. (But
what are the meanings
of fertile and source?)