Peru in a nutshell

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República del Peru

Lima (8.2 Mio inhabitants)

Republic

Spanish, Quechua, Aymara

1 285 220 km²/ 496 230 sq mi. This corresponds to more than twice the area of France or more than 1.5 times the area of US state of Texas.

Peru lies at the west coast of South America between the equator and 18° southern latitude.

Huascarán, 6768 m (22 200 ft)

Amazon

28.3 mln (2006), of which 50% live on the Andean highlands, 45% at the dry coast of the Pacific Ocean and 5% in the Amazon rainforest. In Peru, like in Bolivia and Guatemala, the native population forms the majority in population. About 45% are of indigenous origin, mostly Quechua. 37% are Mestizo and 15% have European ancestors.

In average 22 inhabitants/km². For comparison: in Switzerland 170 inhabitants share one km², in Denmark 125.

70 years

9%

93% Catholics, 7% others

USD 3850 per capita (2007).

Peru's economy mainly depends on farming, logging, fishing, mining (gold, copper), oil production and tourism. The nation's economy is mainly regulated by the government; however, the last few years have seen some privatization. Most of the privatized firms are in hands of North American and European companies which tend to control the Peruvian market like monopolies.