Western South America.

GMT - 5.

1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles).

29.2 million (2008).

22 per sq km.

Lima. Population: 8.5 million (2007).

Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America that borders 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, as does the majority of the population. 

The highland 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 borders with Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador. 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. Even today roads barely penetrate the region. 

The population of the country is largely Indian and Mestizo with a noticeable influence from African, Chinese, Japanese and European (mainly Spanish) settlers.

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.

President Alan Garcia since 2006.

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 leftist President Hugo Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales. Garcia previously served as president from 1985-1990, but left the country's economy in tatters.

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in the Lake Titicaca area. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.

81% Roman Catholic, 2.7% other denominations, 16.3% unspecified or none.

220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.)

Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Kissing on one cheek between women and between women and men is common in coastal cities. 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.