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Location
Lima District, southwest Peru.

Dialling code
51.

Population
6.3 million (city); 7.5 million (metropolitan area).

Time zone
GMT - 5.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 60Hz, flat two-pin plugs are standard but round two-pin plugs usually work.

Average January temperatures
25°C (77°F).

Average July temperatures
17°C (63°F).

Annual rainfall
50mm (2 inches).

Language
Introduction
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in some areas of the district of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in the main tourist areas.

Phrases
Yes -
No - No
Hello - Hola
Goodbye - Adiós
Please - Por favor
Thank you - Gracias
My name is ... - Me llamo ...
How are you? - ¿Qué tal estás?
I’m very well - Estoy muy bien
I feel ill - Me encuentro mal
How much does it cost? - ¿Cuánto es?
Do you speak English? - ¿Habla inglés?
I don’t understand - No entiendo
Where is ...? - ¿Dónde está?
Entrance - Entrada
Exit - Salida
Danger - Peligro
Open - Abierto
Closed - Cerrado
Toilets - Servicios
Doctor - Médico
Hotel - Hotel
Restaurant - Restaurante
Beer - Cerveza
Wine - Vino
Menu - Carta
Today - Hoy
Tomorrow - Mañana
Monday - Lunes
Tuesday - Martes
Wednesday - Miércoles
Thursday - Jueves
Friday - Viernes
Saturday - Sábado
Sunday - Domingo
One - Un / uno / una
Two - Dos
Three - Tres
Four - Cuatro
Five - Cinco
Six - Seis
Seven - Siete
Eight - Ocho
Nine - Nueve
Ten - Diez
Twenty - Veinte
Thirty - Treinta
Forty - Cuarenta
Fifty - Cincuenta
Sixty - Sesenta
Seventy - Setenta
Eighty - Ochenta
Ninety - Noventa
One Hundred - Cien
One Thousand - Mil

Cost of Living:

In addition to Peru’s Nuevo Sol, US Dollars are also in use and accepted for payment, particularly in tourist areas. While effectively interchangeable, it is always good for tourists to have some local currency in small denominations, to pay for buses, taxis and goods in some small establishments. There is not usually any price advantage to be gained by paying in Dollars rather than the Nuevo Sol, however.

1 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN1) = £0.16; US$0.31; C$0.36; A$0.39; €0.24
Currency conversion rates as of April 2007

Special Events:

El Aniversario de Lima (Anniversary of Lima), anniversary of the founding of Lima, celebrated with fireworks and shows, 18 Jan, throughout the city
Carnavales, pre-Easter carnival, celebrated with street parties, concerts and the gleeful throwing of water-filled balloons at friends and unsuspecting passers-by, Feb, throughout the city
Semana Santa (Holy Week), celebrations consist of colorful processions through Lima, mid-Apr, throughout the city
Fiestas Patrias (Independence Day), celebrations include music, military and school processions and fireworks in Plaza de Armas the night before, 28-29 Jul, throughout the city
Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima (St Rose of Lima), public holiday celebrated with processions and music, 30 Aug, Lima Centro
Mes del Señor de los Milagros (Month of Our Lord of the Miracles), processions occur on three separate days in honor of the patron saint of Lima, Oct, throughout the city
International Bullfighting Competitions, 1-30 Nov, Plaza de Acho


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