Peruvians are immigrants from the diverse and mountainous South American nation of Peru. Peruvians come from a wide diversity of backgrounds and climates. Some Peruvians are indigenous and wear traditional clothing, while others are ethnically mixed and wear modern Western clothing. The official language of Peru is Spanish, but many Peruvians still speak traditional languages such as Quechua.

Peruvians have emigrated mainly due to the political turmoil and economic hardships Peru faced during the 1980s and have come to the USA to pursue a better quality of life. As such, Peruvian Americans are primarily recent immigrants, as most of them have moved to the United States since 1990. Paterson, New Jersey is considered by many to be the capital of the Peruvian Diaspora in North America. Market Street, the "Little Lima" in downtown Paterson, is the largest Peruvian American enclave and is lined with Peruvian-owned restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens, travel agencies, and other businesses.

View Enlarged Map of this People Group

Peruvian food is becoming increasingly well known in North America, particularly the traditional roasted chicken, or Pollo, as well as cebiche (raw fish "cooked" in lime juice). Peruvian cuisine is often recognized for being one of the most diverse and appreciated of the Latin American cuisines. Inca Kola, a soda that originated in Peru, is sold in many heavily concentrated Latino areas.

The predominant religion of Peruvians is Roman Catholicism.