Peru

Half of Peru’s population is Amerindian – specifically of Inca descent. The Inca were able to domesticate many plants and animals prior to the Columbian Exchange. Some examples include: potatoes (over 1,000 varieties); llama (pack animal); alpaca (the fur is used in sweaters, but softer than wool); and guinea pigs (for meat).

The Inca are typically short people who live in a harsh climate (11,000 to 15,000'). Through time they have developed shorten appendages and barrel chests. They can inhale three times as much oxygen as people who live at lower elevations. Their hemoglobin can transfer oxygen to a blood gas quicker than most people. If a normal lowlander such as yourself were to ascend to these elevations quickly, altitude sickness would occur (termed soroche by the natives). You would die in very short order.