Peru Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in Peru

Location
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly smaller than Alaska

Geographic Coordinates
10 00 S, 76 00 W

Capital
Lima

Nationality
Peruvian(s)

Currency
nuevo sol (PEN)

Languages Spoken
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Population
27,949,639 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.01 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic 90%

Geographic Areas
Total :: 1,285,220 sq km
Land :: 5,220 sq km
Water :: 1.28 million sq km
Coastline :: 2,414 km

Bordered By
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador

Argentina Climate
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Terrain
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva

Natural Resources
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Natural Hazards
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Brief Geography Notes
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; remote Lake McIntyre is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

Government
constitutional republic

Administrative Districts
24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province (provincia constitucional)