Theme: Words related to Peru

From ancient civilizations and Andean traditions to rainforest, wildlife, food, and textiles, these nine answers explore Peru, home to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

9 themed words All 26 letters covered Vowels shown in gold Consonants hidden in blue
1
  A     A
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  1. This ancient culture flourished on Peru's southern coast.
  2. It is famous for enormous designs made across the desert floor.
  3. Many figures are best appreciated from above.
  4. The mysterious geoglyphs include animals and geometric forms.
Reveal answer
N A Z C A
Background information
The Nazca culture flourished in southern Peru and is especially famous for the Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs created on the desert surface.
2
  U E   A  
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  1. This archaeological site stands high in northern Peru.
  2. It was built by the Chachapoya culture.
  3. Massive stone walls surround the settlement.
  4. It is sometimes described as a fortified mountaintop city.
Reveal answer
K U E L A P
Background information
Kuelap is a monumental archaeological site built by the Chachapoya culture in northern Peru. Its high stone walls enclose numerous structures on a mountain ridge.
3
  O     E E
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  1. This crop grows particularly well in some of Peru's highland regions.
  2. Most production involves Arabica varieties.
  3. Small farms play an important role in cultivation.
  4. Peruvian beans are exported around the world.
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C O F F E E
Background information
Peru is an important producer of Arabica coffee, much of it grown by smallholders in high-altitude regions along the eastern slopes of the Andes.
4
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  1. This vast tropical wilderness covers much of eastern Peru.
  2. It forms part of the Amazon rainforest.
  3. It contains extraordinary plant and animal diversity.
  4. Major rivers provide important transportation routes through it.
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J U N G L E
Background information
A large portion of eastern Peru lies within the Amazon rainforest, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and home to many indigenous communities.
5
  U E     U A
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  1. This indigenous language family is deeply connected with the Andes.
  2. It was widely used in the Inca world.
  3. Millions of people continue to speak varieties of it.
  4. It remains an important part of Peruvian cultural identity.
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Q U E C H U A
Background information
Quechua is an indigenous language family of the Andes. It was widely used during the Inca period and remains spoken by millions of people, including large communities in Peru.
6
  E A   I    
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  1. This craft has deep roots in Andean culture.
  2. Colorful fibers are arranged into intricate patterns.
  3. Traditional techniques have been passed through generations.
  4. Clothing, belts, blankets, and other textiles can be produced this way.
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W E A V I N G
Background information
Andean weaving traditions in Peru have developed over thousands of years. Weavers use fibers such as alpaca, llama, and sheep wool to create textiles with distinctive colors and patterns.
7
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  1. Peru has an exceptionally long tradition of producing these.
  2. Ancient examples can preserve complex patterns and techniques.
  3. Cotton and camelid fibers are important materials.
  4. They provide evidence about the art and culture of past Andean societies.
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T E X T I L E S
Background information
Peruvian textiles are renowned for their technical sophistication and cultural significance. Archaeological textiles reveal highly developed weaving and dyeing traditions extending back thousands of years.
8
I     I   A     I
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  1. This celebration honors the Sun.
  2. Its roots lie in the Inca world.
  3. A major modern reenactment takes place in Cusco each June.
  4. Its name comes from Quechua.
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I N T I R A Y M I
Background information
Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is an Inca celebration that is dramatically reenacted in and around Cusco each June, drawing on traditions honoring Inti, the sun deity.
9
A     E A     E A  
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  1. This is South America's only native bear species.
  2. Pale markings around the face give it another common name.
  3. It inhabits Andean forests.
  4. Peru is part of its natural range.
Reveal answer
A N D E A N B E A R
Background information
The Andean bear, also called the spectacled bear, is the only living bear species native to South America. It inhabits a range of Andean ecosystems, including forests in Peru.

Peru Trivia

🏔 Peru contains dramatic altitude changes.
Its landscapes range from Pacific coastal desert through the high Andes to the Amazon rainforest.
🦙 Andean fibers have ancient importance.
Alpaca and other camelid fibers have long been used to produce warm and intricate textiles.
☀️ Inti was central to Inca religion.
The Sun held major religious importance in the Inca state, and Inti Raymi celebrated this connection.
🗿 Peru has many major archaeological sites.
Machu Picchu is the most internationally famous, but sites such as Kuelap and the Nazca Lines reveal the diversity of pre-Columbian cultures.