Peru
- For other uses, see Peru (disambiguation)
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| National Motto: Libertad y Orden (Spanish: "Liberty and Order")</small> | |||||
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| Official languages | Spanish, Quechua, Aymará | ||||
| Capital | Lima | ||||
| Largest city | Lima | ||||
| President | Alejandro Toledo Manrique | ||||
| Prime Minister | Carlos Ferrero Costa | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | World ranking: 19th 1,285,220 km² 8.80% | ||||
| Population - Total (2002) - Density | World ranking: 39th 28,409,897 22/km² | ||||
| Independence - Declared | From Spain July 28, 1821 | ||||
| Currency | Nuevo Sol (S/.) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC -5 | ||||
| National anthem | "Somos libres, seámoslo siempre" | ||||
| Internet TLD | .pe | ||||
| Calling Code | 51 | ||||
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The Republic of Perú (Spanish: Perú; Quechua, Aymara: Piruw) is a country in western South America, bordering with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the east, south-east and south, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Peru is rich in cultural anthropology, and is well-known as the cradle of the Inca empire.
History
Main article: History of Peru
Before the Spanish arrived, Peru was home to various Pre-Inca cultures and later, to the Inca Empire. Francisco Pizarro landed on the Peruvian coast in 1532, and by the end of the 1530s Peru became a Viceroyalty and a major source of gold and silver for the Spanish Empire. Peru declared its independence from Spain on July 28, 1821. Between 1879 to 1883 Peru and Bolivia made an alliance and fought against Chile in the War of the Pacific.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Peru
The current president is Alejandro Toledo, leader of Perú Posible. This governing party is, with 45 seats, the largest in the 120-seat parliament.
The second and third largest parties are in opposition; respectively Partido Aprista Peruano (short: Apra, 28 seats) and Unidad Nacional (17 seats), which is led by Lourdes Flores Nano.
Regions
Main article: Regions of Peru
Peru's territory, under Law No. 27867 of 16 November 2002, is divided in 26 regions:
Amazonas, Ancash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, El Callao, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Metropolitana de Lima, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, San Martín, Puno, Tacna, Tumbes, and Ucayali.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Peru
Peru is located in Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. It also shares borders with Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia.
The western coastal plains (costa) are separated from the eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) by the high and rugged Andes in center (sierra). On the border with Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca, the worlds highest navigable lake at 3821 m.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Peru
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Peru
Culture
Main article: Culture of Peru
International rankings
- Reporters without borders world-wide press freedom index 2004: Rank 123 out of 167 countries (2 way tie)
- UN Human Development Index 2004: Rank 85 out of 177 countries
Miscellaneous topics
- Surfing in Peru
- Communications in Peru
- Transportation in Peru
- Military of Peru
- Foreign relations of Peru
- List of famous Peruvians
- Public holidays in Peru
External links
- Peru travel guide at Wikitravel (http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Peru)
- Destination: Peru (http://www.destination360.com/peru.htm) — Explore the regions of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Cusco, Lima, Lake Titicaca, and Northwern Peru
- Peruvian Tourism Authority's Official Site (http://www.promperu.gob.pe)
| Countries in South America |
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| Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador | Guyana | Paraguay | Peru | Suriname | Uruguay | Venezuela |
| Dependencies: Falkland Islands | French Guiana |
 | Organization of American States (OAS) |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Bolivia | Brazil | Canada | Chile | Colombia | Costa Rica | Cuba | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | El Salvador | Grenada | Guatemala | Guyana | Haiti | Honduras | Jamaica | Mexico | Nicaragua | Panama | Paraguay | Peru | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | St. Kitts and Nevis | Suriname | Trinidad and Tobago | United States | Uruguay | Venezuela |
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