Country name conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru Background Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. 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. Nevertheless, the president"s increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government.Location Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Area total: 1,285,220 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km Area - comparative slightly smaller than Alaska Coastline 2,414 km Climate varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Terrain western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m Natural hazards earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity Environment - current issues deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes Geography - note shares control of Lago Titicaca, world"s highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River Population 28,409,897 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008)
15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072)
65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.) Median age total: 23.5 years
male: 23.2 years
female: 23.7 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian Ethnic groups Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions Roman Catholic 90% Languages Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara Internet country code .pe Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.2%
female: 86.8% (2003 est.) Government type constitutional republic National holiday Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Legal system based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction International organization participation ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Economy - overview Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97 and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino"s impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again lean year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI"s subsequent departure from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in the global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO, who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in 2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas sectors. Exports - partners US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002) Currency nuevo sol (PEN) Currency code PEN Exchange rates nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998) Airports 233 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 49
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 2 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways total: 184
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 61
under 914 m: 100 (2002) Disputes - international Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884 |
