Peru, situated on South America's western edge, shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia (north), Brazil (east), Bolivia (southeast), Chile (south), and the Pacific Ocean (west). Its geography is characterized by the Andes mountains running parallel to the Pacific, dividing the country into three distinct regions: the costa (coast), a narrow, mostly arid plain with fertile valleys; the sierra (highlands), home to the majestic Andes; and the selva (jungle), encompassing the vast Amazon rainforest. Despite its tropical location, Peru experiences diverse climates and biodiversity due to variations in latitude, topography, and the influence of the ocean currents, resulting in over 25,000 recorded species of plants and animals. Peru's history spans millennia, with evidence of civilization dating back to the 10th millennium BCE. It has been home to remarkable cultures, including the Caral-Supe civilization, one of the earliest in the Americas, the Nazca culture, and the Inca Empire, the largest pre-Columbian state in the Americas. Today, Peru's culture is a vibrant blend of indigenous heritage, colonial and modern influences and its cuisine, which reflect that fusion, is celebrated worldwide. Peru is the ninth-largest producer of cocoa, with over 50,000 Peruvians earning a living from cocoa cultivation, typically on small 2-hectare farms. The country's Cocoa and Chocolate Salon has helped establish Peru as a major player in the fine chocolate community, showcasing the country’s cocoa diversity (including six out of ten genetic varietals) and quality (home to some of the world’s rarest, oldest, and most sought-after beans).
