Rolf, ND0T will be active as OA4O Team from Peru in CQ WW DX CW Contest, 25 - 26 November 2023.
He plans to operate on 20 and 15m.
Recent DX Spots OA4O
QSL via LOTW.
Peru – a dream destination for the well-rounded tourist
The Republic of Peru, a country in South America, attracts foreign visitors not only with its picturesque desert-like Pacific beaches. According to statistics, there are more than 100,000 archaeological sites here. Tour operators from all over the world promise a diverse audience of curious travelers a vacation to suit every taste: exploring historical and cultural attractions, eco-tourism, extreme sports, beach tourism, gastronomic tourism, and many other interesting and unusual experiences for people living in Europe.
The country's population is just over 31 million people, who have found a place under the Peruvian sun on a territory of 1.28 million square kilometers. The country has five closest neighbors: Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile. The largest river in the country is the legendary Amazon, and everyone has heard of the lakes of Chanin and Titicaca, whose name was formed by merging two words from the language of the Quechua tribe, meaning “rock” and “puma.”
It is noteworthy that the relief, climatic conditions, and vegetation of different regions of the country are characterized by instability. While the western part is dominated by desert coastal plains with beaches along the Pacific coast, the eastern part of the country is home to the Amazonian lowlands (Selva) and the Montaña, a foothill plain of the Andes that stretches across seven South American countries.
The highest point in Peru is Mount Huascarán, which is 6,768 meters high. The northern slopes of the mountains are covered with dense evergreen forests, while the southeastern plateaus and semi-desert steppes are home to cacti and rare shrubs. While the temperature in the coastal areas is perfect for a beach vacation, it's not too hot in the mountains, even in summer: around 6768 feet during the day and 5618 feet at night.
In recent years, meteorologists and environmentalists in the country have sounded the alarm due to the intensive melting of high-altitude glaciers. A state campaign has been launched to prevent undesirable processes, but scientists are unable to cope with nature. At present, the area of ice cover on the peaks has decreased by 40%. That's not all: tourists who buy trips to Peru should be ready for earthquakes at least once a year. The reason for the seismic activity is the collision of two tectonic plates, in this case the South American plate and the Nazca plate.
Machu Picchu, Peru. Author - Pedro Szekely.
Peru – the largest empire in pre-Columbian America
Many visitors to Peru are attracted by the historical past of the Inca Empire, which was the largest state in Tawantinsuyu from the 12th century. It is home to the famous Machu Picchu fortress, a pilgrimage site for people interested in the mysteries of the Inca ethnic group. It should be noted that this interest is well deserved, as the ancient people were colorful and distinctive not only in appearance, but also in their philosophy, state structure, and way of life.
The Incas were skilled and successful farmers. Despite the fact that people plowed the land with sticks rather than plows, they managed to grow and harvest rich crops of corn, potatoes, beans, cassava, and tomatoes. For their own needs and for sale, they grew cotton, tobacco, and coca, and raised llamas, from whose wool they made wool. Somehow, craftsmen made pottery without a potter's wheel, and blacksmiths worked metals without the aid of bellows, blowing fire through copper pipes. Even the Incas wrote letters differently from other peoples, inventing codes and ciphers for a unique knot writing system.
In 1532, the territory of Peru was conquered by Spanish conquistadors, despite resistance from the Indians, who desperately rebelled against the invaders. The following three hundred years were also turbulent, marked by struggles, uprisings, coups, strikes, and armed clashes. The rebellious spirit and fiery temperament of the country's inhabitants can be seen in the large number of political parties and communist guerrilla groups. The current president of the Republic of Peru is a representative of the Peruvian People's Party.
Ollantaytambo, Peru. Author - Vasilis Tsikkinis.
Tourism in modern Peru
The authorities' caring attitude towards visitors can be seen in the organization of a special 24-hour assistance service for tourists who come to the country with the intention of spending a certain amount of money. However, travelers are not particularly upset about this, as there is plenty to do and see here.
Beach lovers should head to the Pacific coast, where there are protected areas and popular resorts in Peru, such as Punta Sal and Mancora. You can swim in the ocean at one of the many beaches in the capital city of Lima, but the water here is not as clean as on the north coast. This is where surfers flock to ride the longest and highest (up to 10 m) waves in the world. Every spring, the port city of Trujillo hosts a surfing championship. The richness and colorfulness of the underwater world will not leave divers indifferent, with new diving centers opening every year.
Macaws, Manu Wildlife Center, Peru. Author - ClaDae.
Ecotourism, hiking, mountain climbing, and volcano climbing
The nature of Peru is beautiful in all its manifestations. Here you will find desert steppes where only cacti grow and virgin tropical forests where several tribes of indigenous Indians live in seclusion. The purity of the ecosystems is protected by the state, and many protected areas have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. All the wonderful tourist trails can be explored during the dry season, which lasts from May to September. You can tickle your nerves and enjoy the exhilarating feeling of extreme adventure by visiting one of the active volcanoes, Misti or Ubinas.
Sights in Peruthat are unlikely to be seen on a single tour
- The sacred city of Machu Picchu.
- The pyramid city of Ollantaytambo.
- The village of Chinchero, where the rainbow originated.
- The ancient city of Cusco, according to UNESCO, is a cultural treasure of all mankind.
- Sacsayhuaman - the ruins of a complex of religious and military structures of the Incas.
- The Temple of the Sun and Pachacamac - a religious center of the pre-Inca period.
- The Marcahuasi Plateau.
- The remains of the Chavin civilization, including the ruins of the fortress of the same name and Mount Lanzan.
- The geoglyphs and aqueducts of Nazca, which turned out to be a complex hydraulic system.
- The ruins of the capital of the ancient Chimu Empire, Chan Chan.
