Quechua People

Indigenous peoples · South America · Andes Mountains · languages

Mountain home. Quechua people live high in the Andes Mountains of South America, mainly in Peru but also in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. They've adapted to life at super high altitudes where few other people can survive.

Living languages. Quechua people speak Quechua languages, which are living languages still used by millions of people today. These languages started in Peru thousands of years ago and have been passed down through families for generations.

Huge population. There are millions of Quechua people living today across South America. While most live in Peru, significant communities exist in neighboring countries, keeping their cultures and traditions alive.

Ancient heritage. The Quechua people are descendants of the Inca Empire and other ancient Andean civilizations. Their ancestors built impressive cities, farms, and roads in the mountains long before European explorers arrived.