Peru

Peru

AREA	1,285,216 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
POPULATION	25,232,000 (1999).
POPULATION DENSITY	20.0 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Lima
CAPITAL POPULATION	7,060,600 (1998).
GEOGRAPHY	Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west. There are three natural zones, running roughly north to south: Costa (Coast), Sierra (the Highlands) and Selva (Amazonian Jungle). The Costa region, which contains Lima (the capital) is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so far exploited oil fields lie in this area. The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks over 6000m (20,000ft), most of the country's mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical uplands, lies between the Andes and the jungles of eastern Peru. Sections of a proposed international highway are at present being built through it, with some sections already in use. The Amazonian jungle of eastern Peru has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full-scale oil exploration began in 1973. The population is largely Indian and Mestizos with a noticeable influence from European (mainly Spanish), Chinese and African settlers.
GOVERNMENT	Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824. Head of State: President Alberto Fujimori since 1990. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vícot Joy Way since 1999.
LANGUAGE	Spanish is the official language. Quechua is the most important native language and is spoken in the majority of the Andean cities. Aymará is spoken in some areas of the department of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
RELIGION	90% Roman Catholic.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 5
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 60Hz.

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