Write Jordan a three-paragraph letter in English, and compare Peruvian culture and American culture, especially in terms of foods, sports, transportation, population, and demographics. How is your culture similar to Peruvian culture? How is it different? Use a lot of details to help Jordan prepare for the trip, and have fun! You can use the CultureGram link to get ideas and information. (5 points per paragraph)

The answer is below :)

Explanation:

Hey Jordan!

You know, there are more different than similar things from both cultures. Peru as a country is at heart three cultures. The high Andean region is still largely inhabited by descendants of the Inca empire. Many still choose to communicate in Quechua and are impacted by their cultural experiences. They were and to some degree still, are exploited by initially the Spanish, and now the government out of Lima. The Andiam people are mainly agrarian but also work at labor kinds of jobs. Many were and sometimes still are employed in mining. There is a distrust of the government but occasionally leaders have emerged that can tap into this distrust. The labor movement has been a force for change but not as successful as the labor movement in the US so there is not a strong middle class. There were no reservations as we had in the US but instead the hacienda system that kept indigenous people in a kind of slavery. Some similarities to the Plantation system in the US. Peru is nominally Catholic but the Catholic church in Peru is different from the US Catholic church. It is imbued with Andean Mysticism.

There is the Amazonian or jungle area that is different from the Andes. The jungle peoples are different culturally and speak different languages. They were not conquered by the Incas so have a distinctly different culture. This area is not as rich in minerals but there are some oil deposits near Ecuador.  The coastal area is more cosmopolitan in outlook especially Lima. The population is more Spanish and as they call themselves mestizo or mixed race. There is a system of prejudice in favor of more European looking people. Spanish is the language of choice. There has been a migration from the Andes to the cities resulting in slums growing slowly into functioning cities. These can be very crowded.

Peru threw off the Spanish in the early 1800 ’s and Simon Bolivar is the hero of that venture. Things did not improve a great deal for the common man. Peru is nominally a democracy but has had a military coup that resulted in the nationalization of oil and mining in the early 70’s The net result for a while was a decrease in the effectiveness of these industries.  Peru's governments have been famous for the level of corruption they spawned.  Peru has had a prolonged internal struggle with terrorists the Shining Path that was able to recruit from disgruntled Andean Peoples. There was also an urban revolution that was not as successful but was bloody. The response of the authorities led to the jailing of Alberto Fujimori a past president who was accused of human rights violations.

In the past 10 years, Peru is experiencing a period of growth and is one of the more prosperous countries in South America but is still by US standards poor  Peruvians and US peoples have some similarities in Culture. both have somewhat Democratic governments, some shared values but their histories are different. Both had a kind of slave history but the US killed most of its indigenous population, The Spanish used the hacienda system to essentially enslave indigenous peoples. There were some Africans brought into Peru but not in significant numbers.  Peru has benefited from immigration from China, Japan and just after WWII Germans.  Peruvians are warm and friendly but also in the Andes cautious. They like Americans but distrust our government. The US has intervened in Central America and South America many times so they are justified in this concern

Hope that helps:D

-Jazz