Peru 1-SOL (KM248)¶
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Reverse: Vicuña
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Obverse: Coat of arms
- Composition
- Brass
- Country
- Peru
- Approx. Size
- 27.9mm
- Area
- South America
- Animal Class
- Mammals
- Species
- Vicuña
- KM#
- 248
The Vicuña is one of two wild camelids native to South America. They live in high alpine areas of the Andes Mountains and are a relative of the llama and are believed to be an ancestor of domesticated alpacas. Vincuñas produce an extremely small amount of extremely fine wool, and can only be shorn once every three years. Apparently, the Incas valued vicuña wool so much that it was illegal for anyone but royalty to wear garments made from it.
Peru¶
- Area
- South America
The Republic of
Peru was home to the Norte Chico civilization -- one of the oldest in the world -- and to the Inca Empire. The land varies from arid plains on the Pacific coast, to the Andes mountains, and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. Peru is a multi-ethnic country, formed by the combination of different groups over five centuries. Today, tourism is the third-largest industry in the country with tourists visiting for the archaeological monuments, ecotourism in the Amazon, and cultural tourism in the colonial cities. Tourists also enjoy the food, adventure tourism, and the beaches.
