Peru is located in the western part of the South American continent and offers a wide variety of landscapes from the deserts of the Pacific coast to the Andes Mountains. The ruins of the Inca Empire that flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries remain here and there, especially the aerial city of Machu Picchu and Cusco, the capital of the empire. There are also many interesting ruins such as Nazca and Chavín, which date back to even older times. Along with Peruvian cuisine such as ceviche and lomo saltado, visitors can enjoy festivals and folk music that carry on the traditions of a land with a rich history.