Thanks to its strategic
location, Peru is a privileged
destination for tourism
and one of the most attractive markets for investment.
Heir to ancient cultures
and a rich colonial tradition, Peru is a magical spot
which involves one of the richest
biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of
different cultures who together are forging the promise
of a better future.
SURFACE
AREA
With
an area of 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third-largest
country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking
it amongst the world's 20 largest nations. Peru also holds
sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast
and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares
in the Antarctic.
Peru is divided into 24 departments, plus the Constitutional
Province of Callao. Lima is the capital of Peru.
POPULATION
25,662,000 inhabitants
Urban: 72.3%
Rural: 27.7%
Peru is a nation of mixed ethnic origins. Throughout its
history, Peru has been the meeting ground for different
nations and cultures. The Spaniards joined the indigenous
population, 500 years ago. As a result of this encounter,
and later enriched by the migration of African blacks,
Asians and Europeans, Peruvian man emerged as the representative
of a nation whose rich ethnic mix is one of its leading
characteristics.
LANGUAGE
Official languages:
Spanish: 80.3%
Quechua: 16.2%
Other languages: 3.0%
Foreign languages: 0.2%
As part of its rich cultural tradition, Peru features
many different languages. Although Spanish is commonly
spoken across the country, Quechua
is a major legacy of the Inca Empire, and is still spoken
with regional dialects in many parts of Peru. In addition,
other languages are spoken such as Aymara
(in Puno) and a startling variety of dialects in
the Amazon jungle, which are divided up into 15
linguistic families and 38 different languages.
CURRENCY
The official currency in Peru
is the Nuevo Sol (S/.),
which is divided into 100 centimos. The currency includes
coins for 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimos and 1, 2 and 5 sol
coins. There are bills in the denomination of 10, 20,
50, 100 and 200 soles
GOVERNMENT
Peru is a democratic republic.
The president and members of Congress are elected every
five years by universal suffrage. The current constitutional
president of Peru is Alan García Pérez.
RELIGION
Roman Catholic: 89%
Evangelical: 7%
Other religions: 4%
Peru is a naturally religious country: a diversity of
beliefs and freedom of worship
can be seen from the wide range of festivals and
rituals that feature both Catholic fervor and the mysticism
of age-old pre-Hispanic cultures.
GENERAL INFO .
With
an area of 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third-largest
country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking
it amongst the world's 20 largest nations. Peru also holds
sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast
and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares
in the Antarctic.
