Peru

In South America, among other countries you will find the fantastic Peru, with many different civilisations that makes it very intriguing. It contains a preserved legacy from the Spanish conquistadors which you can see traces of visiting cities like the capital Inca. The landscapes offers you an amazing varied scenery with the Peruvian Andes, mountains and a highland that houses many Indians who have maintainted the ancient, traditional way of living.

Area: 1.285.556 Km²
Population: 27.484.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 21 pop/Km²

System of government: Presidential Republic
Capital: Lima (6.740.000 pop.)
Major cities: Arequipa 980.000 pop., Callao 648.000 pop., Trujillo 500.000 pop., Chiclayo 400.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Amerindian 48%, Mestizo 35%, White 13%, Black and mulatto 4%
Border countries: Ecuador and Colombia NORTH, Brazil and Bolivia EAST, Chile SOUTH

Principal mountains: Nevado Huascarán 6768 m
Principal rivers: Rio Ucayali 1900 Km, Rio Marañón 1800 Km
Principal lakes: Lake Titicaca 8300 Km² (total, with bolivian part)
Principal islands: Isla Lobos de Tierra
Climate: Temperate - arid

Language: Spanish, Quechua (officials), Aymará
Religion: Catholic 90%
Currency: Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 1/5, 29/6, 18/7, 29/7, 30/8, 8/10, 1/11, 8/12, 25/12
Dialling code: 0051
GMT: -5

World Heritage List:

• City of Cuzco (1983)
• Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (1983)
• Chavin (Archaeological Site) (1985)
• Huascaran National Park (1985)
• Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (1986)
• Manu National Park (1987)
• Historic Centre of Lima (1988, 1991) 14
• Rio Abiseo National Park (1990, 1992)
• Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana (1994)
• Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa (2000)