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Introduction
Western South America.
Area : 1,285,216 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
Population : 27.15 million (2004 estimate).
Population Density : 21.1 per sq km.
Capital : Lima. Population: 8.27 million (2004).
Government : Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.
Recent history: Ex-president Alan Garcia 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.
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, running roughly north to south. 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 6000m (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 uplands, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. Sections of a proposed international highway are at present being built through it, with some sections already in use. 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.
Language : Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymará is spoken in some areas of the region of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
Religion : 89 per cent Roman Catholic, 7 per cent Evangelical and 4 per cent other denominations.
Time : GMT - 5.
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. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace.
Electricity : 220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels).
Head of State : President Alan Garcia since 2006.
Western South America.
Area : 1,285,216 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
Population : 27.15 million (2004 estimate).
Population Density : 21.1 per sq km.
Capital : Lima. Population: 8.27 million (2004).
Government : Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.
Recent history: Ex-president Alan Garcia 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.
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, running roughly north to south. 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 6000m (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 uplands, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. Sections of a proposed international highway are at present being built through it, with some sections already in use. 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.
Language : Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymará is spoken in some areas of the region of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
Religion : 89 per cent Roman Catholic, 7 per cent Evangelical and 4 per cent other denominations.
Time : GMT - 5.
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. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace.
Electricity : 220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels).
Head of State : President Alan Garcia since 2006.
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Inscrita en el R.M. de Madrid Tomo 15.973, F. 206, Sec. 8, Hoja M-270179 . C.I.F. B82826991 Gran Vía, 22 Dcdo. 4º Madrid, 28013 Spain.
Tel. (+34) 913 605 670 Fax: (+34) 902 196 339
Inscrita en el R.M. de Madrid Tomo 15.973, F. 206, Sec. 8, Hoja M-270179 . C.I.F. B82826991 Gran Vía, 22 Dcdo. 4º Madrid, 28013 Spain.
Tel. (+34) 913 605 670 Fax: (+34) 902 196 339