Peru

National name

República del Perú

Government

Constitutional rep.

Geography

Peru, in western South America, extends for nearly 2,414 km along the Pacific Ocean. Colombia and Ecuador are to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. Peru is divided by the Andes Mountains into three sharply differentiated zones. To the west is the coastline, much of it arid, extending 80 to 160 km inland. The mountain area, with peaks over 6,096 m, lofty plateaus, and deep valleys, lies centrally. Beyond the mountains to the east is the heavily forested slope leading to the Amazonian plains.

Historical Background

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Elections of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government - the first democratically elected president of Quechua ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, returned to the presidency with promises to improve social conditions.

Facts & Figures

Name

PERU

Capital

Lima

Government

Presidential republic

Language

Spanish

Religion

Peru is divided into 25 regions and the province of Lima. Each region has an elected government composed of a president and a council, which serves for a four-year term.

Area

1,285,216 km2

Population

2010 estimate 29,496,000  2007 census 28,220,764

Currency

Nuevo Sol

GDP(PPP)

2010 estimate Total  $274.276 billion

GDP(nominal)

2010 estimate Total $153.549 billion

Time Zone

PET (UTC-5)