Introduction

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors 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. Elections in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. However, that president was ousted in 2000. Alan Garcia Perez was elected in 2006 and has overseen a robust macroeconomic performance. Peru faces several environmental issues including deforestation - the result of illegal logging; overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra, leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in the capital city of Lima; and pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes.

Geographical Location

Peru is located in western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean between Chile and Ecuador. It has a total area of 1,285,216 sq. km. or slightly smaller than Alaska. The terrain is western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in the center (sierra), and eastern lowland jungle of the Amazon Basin (selva). It's lowest point is the Pacific Ocean 0 m and the highest point is Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m. Peru has natural resources of copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower and natural gas. Agricultural products include asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mango, barley, medicinal plants, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans, poultry, beef, dairy products, fish, and guinea pigs. Industries include mining and refining of minerals, steel, metal fabrication, petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas, fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, and food processing.

Climate

The climate in Peru varies from tropical in he east to dry desert in the west, and temperate to frigid in the Andes. Only 2.88% of the land is arable, with only .47% used for permanent crops. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, and mild volcanic activity.

Population

The population is 29,546,963 (July 2009 est.). The growth rate is 1.229% (2009 est.), with a birth rate of 19.38 births per 1000 and a death rate of 6.14 deaths per 1000. Life expectancy at birth is 70.74 years. The labor force by occupation: agriculture 0.7%, industry 23.8%, and services 75.5% (2005). Over 44.5% of the population lives below the poverty level. Ethnic groups include Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese and other 3%. Infectious diseases include bacterial, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever and leptosirosis.

Languages

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages with Aymara and a large number of minor Amazonian languages used as well. 92.9% of the population age 15 and over can read and write.

Religion

Religions include Roman Catholic, 81:3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none, 2.9% (2007 Census)