HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE IN PERU

In the attempt to break the bond of submission with the Spanish crown, the
patriotic defenders of liberation faced the royalists who sought to maintain the
Viceroyalty of Peru.

Although the demonstrations and revolts continued for more than a decade, it
was only in 1820 with the arrival of José de San Martín and his Liberating
Expedition that independence began to be thought of as a possibility.

On July 15, 1821, the city council met and the Act of Independence of Peru was
drafted, after the troops of the viceroyalty abandoned the territory. The written
document was supported by more than three thousand Lima residents from all
social classes.

Days later, on Saturday, July 28, 1821, José de San Martín proclaimed the
country's independence before the thousands of people gathered in the Plaza
Mayor. However, it was not until 1824 that the royalists gave in to the new
prevailing system.

"From this moment, Peru is free and independent by the general will of the
people and by the justice of its cause that God defends" José de San Martín

What did Independence mean?

Independence involved cutting all ties with the Spanish Crown, ending
economic relations and improving the situation in which the country's
indigenous people lived.

Independence Day Traditions in Peru

Throughout the month of July (especially the Declaration of Independence Day
in Lima) Peruvian flags are present in all types of offices, businesses and family
homes. In the same way as happens with other national holidays, local
celebrations are held in centers that bring together the inhabitants of the
different cities of the country.

THE PERUVIAN FAUNA

Peru being one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world, there
is no doubt that the fauna it houses is one of the best examples of this. The
diversity of fauna species that exists in our country and especially in protected
natural areas is impressive, which is why we are leaders in several categories
and world rankings, such as:

- First place in marine and continental fish species with nearly 2 thousand
species (10% of the world total) (Peru, megadiverse country)

- Record in butterfly species with 4 thousand species

- Second place in bird species with more than 1816 species (see full list)

- Third place in amphibians with 449 species, 185 endemic

- Third place in mammals with 515 species, 109 endemic

- Of the 83 species of cetaceans in the world, 36 are found in Peru

You can listen to and download songs from our birds here.

This is due, thanks to the number of ecosystems and diversity of climates that
exist in our country. What's more, scientists continue to carry out research in
different parts of Peru, including the ANP, to describe new species or
subspecies that inhabit our territory waiting to be discovered.
This shows that in the following months, years and decades, Peru will continue
to increase its records of new species for science, thus preserving it as one of
the countries with the greatest potential in biodiversity.

It is very important that we all know that Peru is home to a large number of
endemic species of both flora and fauna, that is, they only exist in our country.
This positions us even more as one of the most megadiverse countries on the
planet, of which we should feel very proud and committed to its conservation.

- Peru has 115 endemic species of birds (the highest endemism on the
continent and 6% of the world total)

- We also have endemic species of mammals with a total of 109 (27.5% of the
world total)

- As for amphibians, we have 185 endemic species (48.5% of the world total)

- Our 59 species of endemic butterflies are equivalent to 12.5% of the world

total
Thanks to all this, Peru occupies 9th place in the countries with the highest
amount of endemism.
Peruvian flora
THE PERUVIAN FLORA
Peru has 10% of the flora species on the planet, this is because it is home to
around 25 thousand different species thanks to the 11 ecoregions that exist in
our territory; Likewise, 30% of them are endemic, that is, unique in the world.
In addition, we are the first country in the number of plant species with known
properties with 4,400 and the first in domesticated native species with 128
specimens. (National Commission on Biological Diversity)
Likewise, it is the first country in varieties of potatoes (9 domesticated species
and about 3,000 varieties), chili peppers (5 domesticated species and dozens of
varieties), corn (36 ecotypes), Andean grains, tubers and roots.

It is the largest center of genetic diversity of cotton in South America or

Peruvian cotton (Gossypium barbadense), which is an essential input of genetic
material for the improvement of cultivated cottons, such as pima and tangüis.
And it has a very high place in fruits with 623 species, cucurbits, medicinal
plants with 1,408 species and ornamental plants with 1,600 species, and food
plants with about 1,200 species.
And without a doubt, it is very notable that Peru occupies first place in the world
ranking of countries with the highest number of orchid species with 1,816.

Our endemic flora, a privilege

As with fauna species, there is flora that can be endemic, that is, it only exists
and is found in a certain part of the world.

Although the extreme richness of Peruvian endemic flora is a source of pride for
all Peruvians, at the same time it represents a very great challenge for the State
and its allies in their conservation. For this reason, protected natural areas such
as the Historical Sanctuary of Machupicchu, the Abiseo River National Park and
the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve preserve important populations of
these species inside.

Can a floristic species be in danger of extinction?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The loss of habitats, overgrazing, species

trafficking, among others, are the most notable causes for this condition of
vulnerability not only being inherent to fauna species, but also to flora.

Currently, some 777 species of wild flora are threatened, of which 404
correspond to the orders Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, 332
species belonging to the Orchidaceae family, and 41 species are from the
Cactaceae family, distributed indistinctly in the categories: Critically Endangered
(CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) and Near Threatened (NT). (see full
list)

That is to say, flora species such as balsam, several species of endemic

orchids, cedar, wild cotton, rosemary, carob, white mangrove, among others
could disappear forever in the coming years.