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Peru

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Map of Peru Last reviewed: 09 October 2009

Country information

Map of Peru

PERU TODAY

Country facts

Full country name: Republic of Peru
Area: 1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles)
Population: 28.22 million (2007 estimate)
Capital city: Lima (population: 8.45 million in metropolitan area)
People: Indigenous (45%), Mestizo (37%), European/White (15%), African, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Language(s): Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara and a number of minority Amazonian languages
Religion(s): Roman Catholic (81.3%)
Currency: Nuevo Sol
Major political parties: Unión por el Perú (UPP), Partido Aprista Peruano (APRA), Unidad Nacional (UN), Alianza por el Futuro, Peru Posible, Partido Nacionalista Peruano
Government: Constitutional system of presidential democracy. The 1993 constitution, approved by referendum, provides for an executive for 5 years. The principal executive body is the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, appointed by the President. A unicameral 120-member Congress is elected at the same time as the President and also sits for 5 years. It is the main legislative branch of government with the President holding a veto. An 18 member Supreme Court based in Lima heads the judicial branch.
Head of State: President Alan Garcia Perez (APRA) since 28 July 2006.
Prime Minister: Javier Velásquez Quesquén
Foreign Minister: Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Peru holds membership of the UN; WTO; G-11; G-15; G-19; G24; G77; Organisation of American States (OAS); Asia Pacific Economic Community (APEC); Andean Community (CAN); Rio Group; Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Inter-American Developmental Bank (IADB); IMF.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Paddington Bear is from 'deepest darkest Peru'.
  • The mysterious lost Inca city of Machu Picchu was uncovered in 1911. More than 58,000 British tourists visited it last year.
  • Peru is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, containing 83 of a possible 103 types of ecological zone. 13% of the Amazon jungle is located in Peru.
  • The remains of the largest adobe city in the world are located at Chan Chan in northern Peru.
  • The area around Nasca, famous for its geometric lines, is also home to the highest sand dune in the world (2,078m).
  • The Colca Canyon in southern Peru is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
  • The UK is the second largest foreign investor in Peru.

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