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Location
Western South America.
Time
GMT - 5.
Area
1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
Population
28.7 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density
22 per sq km.
Capital
Lima. Population: 8.27 million (2004).
Geography
Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west.
There are three natural zones. The Costa region, which contains Lima (the capital), is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so-far exploited oil fields lie in this area. The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks over 6,000m (20,000ft), most of the country’s mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical land, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. The Amazonian jungle has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full-scale oil exploration began in 1973. The population is largely Indian and Mestizo with a noticeable influence from African, Chinese and European (mainly Spanish) settlers.
There are three natural zones. The Costa region, which contains Lima (the capital), is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so-far exploited oil fields lie in this area. The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks over 6,000m (20,000ft), most of the country’s mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical land, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. The Amazonian jungle has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full-scale oil exploration began in 1973. The population is largely Indian and Mestizo with a noticeable influence from African, Chinese and European (mainly Spanish) settlers.
Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.
Head of State
President Alan Garcia since 2006.
Recent History
Alejandro Toledo (in office from 2001 to 2006) was Peru's first indigenous president, but this did not stop his time in government being characterised by street protests, a string of scandals and plummeting popularity. Ex-president Alan Garcia then won the 2006 presidential elections, beating nationalist rival Ollanta Humala, who had received support from Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Garcia previously served as president from 1985-1990. Coastal Peru was hit by a devastating earthquake in August 2007.
Language
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in some areas of the region of Lake Titicaca. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
Religion
81% Roman Catholic, 2.1% other denominations, 16.3% unspecified or none.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.)
Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie.