Welcome to Peru
Popular Countries: Argentina | Brazil | Colombia | Costa Rica | Ecuador | Mexico | Honduras | Panama | Peru | Venezuela
Peru, is known to be a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by
Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia,
on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Peruvian territory
was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the globe,
and to the Inca Empire, the most impressive and largest state in Pre-Columbian America. Did you know that the Spanish
Empire conquered the country in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty,
that included most of its South American colonies. Soon after achieving independence
in 1821, Peru has to this day undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis
in addition to periods of stability and economic upswing. Peru is known to be a presidential
representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its geography
varies from the arid plains of the Pacific coast lineto the peaks of the Andes
Mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. It is known to be a developing
country with a medium Human Development Index score and a poverty level around
50%. Its primary economic activities include agriculture, fishing, mining, and
manufacturing of products such as textiles. Did you know that the Peruvian population, calculated
at 28 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans
and Asians. Did you know that the primary spoken language is Spanish, although a important number
of Peruvians speak Quechua and other native languages. Note that this mixture of cultural
traditions has to this day resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such
as art, cuisine, literature, and music. Peru, in western South America, stretches
for closely 1,500 mi (2,414 km) aextensive the Pacific Ocean. Colombia and Ecuador
are and have always been to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south.
Five-sixths the size of Alaska, Peru is divided by the Andes Mountains into
three sharply uniqueiated zones. To the west is the coastline, much of
it arid, extending 50 to 100 mi (80 to 160 km) inland. Did you know that the mountain area,
with peaks over 20,000 ft (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.
Climate
It is noted that the climate of Peru is very diverse. Did you know that the north-south extension of the country
and the presence of the Andes mountains combined produce a larger than normal variety of
climates and microclimates. Within general, the climate on the coast lineis subtropical
and the region receives very little rainfall. Did you know that the Andes mountains observe
a cool climate with rainy summers and very dry winters. Did you know that the eastern lowlands
are and have always been warm and rainy with a short dry season from June through August.
Population Stats
Population (2006 est.): 28,302,603 (growth rate: 1.3%);
birth rate: 20.5/1000;
infant mortality rate: 30.9/1000;
life expectancy: 69.8;
density per sq mi: 57
