The Spanish dominated most cultural aspects, including language and religion. Plus the Spanish and indigenous people often intermarried, creating a new ethnicity and culture, which was generally Spanish-dominated. However, the indigenous people maintained their languages to varying degrees as well as other cultural aspects of life. This was especially true in the more rural and mountainous parts of the country where Spanish influence was less pronounced. Even today many of the Quechua speakers as well as groups of people who live along the Amazon River continue to keep many cultural traditions, languages, and lifestyles alive today.
The Spanish dominance is best seen today, and in the past, in the cities, where Spanish culture, language, lifestyle, and architecture rule. Additionally, many of the mestizos also tend to cling more closely to Spanish traditions than indigenous cultures, making the Spanish culture of the past still present and dominate in the country today.