Posts tagged "bolivia"

Miguel Grau and the Battle of Angamos

Miguel Grau and the Battle of Angamos

Known as the Gentleman of the Seas, Admiral Miguel Grau is remembered by friends and enemies alike as not only a great tactician in naval warfare, but also for his chivalry, the like of which had not been seen before or since. He died in combat defending Peru against invading aggressors at the Battle of Angamos on the 8th of October 1879, and is remembered on this day each year with a public holiday.

October 8, 2009 | Beyond Peru, Modern Peru

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Tacna’s double independence celebrations

Tacna’s double independence celebrations

For Peru’s southern-most region of Tacna, independence celebrations last twice as long as in the rest of the country. For it was this region that gained its freedom twice, the first time from the Spanish, and the second time from Chilean oppression.

September 1, 2009 | Modern Peru, Tacna & Moquegua Guide

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Uru Chipaya face extinction through climate change [Featured]

Uru Chipaya face extinction through climate change [Featured]

Its members belong to what is thought to be the oldest surviving culture in the Andes, a tribe that has survived for 4,000 years on the barren plains of the Bolivian interior. But the Uru Chipaya, who outlasted the Inca empire and survived the Spanish conquest, are warning that they now face extinction through climate change.

April 24, 2009 | News

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Quechua

Quechua

It is often considered to be the language of the Incas, invented by them and spread across the Andes. The truth is that this family of languages is much older, far more diverse and far more interesting than you imagined.

August 21, 2008 | Modern Peru

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The Chaski

The Chaski

Chaskis (Chasquis) were the famous Inca messengers, highly athletic runners who were capable of running great distances along the Inca’s extensive network of roads called the Qhapaq Ñam – the royal roads.

June 14, 2008 | Commentary/Opinion, History

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Puya Raimondii

Puya Raimondii

The largest plant in its family, its also the largest thing able to grow at an altitude of 4000m+. This endangered plant, found only in the highest regions of Peru and Bolivia, flowers once in 100 years then dies.

March 23, 2008 | Nature

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United Nations demands Peru abandon culture and traditions

United Nations demands Peru abandon culture and traditions

Stop producing coca leaves and abandon traditions established millennia ago by banning your people’s coca consumption, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board has demanded of Peru and Bolivia.

March 6, 2008 | Modern Peru, News

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The Gringo Tax

The Gringo Tax

Phil from Bolivia Blog explains the concept of the Gringo Tax.
“Although living in La Paz as a gringo is great it can have its problems not least of which is the constant battle against the “gringo tax” that the locals constantly try applying. Whilst not every single local increases the price it is certainly common place as they assume all gringos are rich and they assume all gringos are tourists that don’t know the price of things. A sure sign they are going to ‘up a price’ is when there is a pause after you ask how much something is whilst they weigh up how much they are going to ask for. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are trying to remember how much something is, they are trying to decide how much it is for YOU. “

March 18, 2007 | Commentary/Opinion

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¡Pisco es Perú! – That’s Pisco Peruano…

¡Pisco es Perú! – That’s Pisco Peruano…

WIPO, the World Intellectual Property Organization, charged with protecting intellectual property around the world, has handed over Peru’s intellectual property to the Chileans. They have again agreed that the 476 year old Peruvian grape brandy called Pisco was invented by, and all rights to the name are owned by, the 465 year old Chilean nation.

August 18, 2006 | Commentary/Opinion, News, Peruvian Food

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