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Peru

Alternate uses: Peru (disambiguation)
República del Perú
   
(In Detail)
National motto: Libertad y Orden
(Spanish; "Liberty and Order")
 
Official language Spanish, Quechua
Capital Lima
President Alejandro Toledo Manrique
Prime Minister Carlos Ferrero Costa
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 19th
1,285,220 km²
8.8%
Population
 - Total (2002)
 - Density
Ranked 39th
28,409,897
22/km²
Independence
 - Date
From Spain
July 28, 1822
Currency Sol
Time zone UTC -5
National anthem Somos libres, seámoslo siempre
(We Are Free, Let Us Remain So Forever)
Internet TLD .PE
Calling Code 51

Peru (Spanish Perú) 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.

Table of contents

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 arrived to Peruvian coasts 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 independence from Spain on July 28, 1821.

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 Lourdes Flores Nano led Unidad Nacional (17 seats).

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, Lima Metropolitana, Lima Provincias, 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

Holidays
Date English Local name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day Año Nuevo
March-April Holy Week Semana Santa Two days, working holiday
May 1 May Day, Labour Day Día del Trabajo
June 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul San Pedro y San Pablo
July 28-July 29 Peruvian Independence Day Día de la Independencia del Perú
August 30 Saint Rose of Lima Santa Rosa de Lima
October 8 Battle of Angamos Combate de Angamos
November 1 All Saints Day Día de Todos Los Santos
December 8 Day of the Immaculate Conception Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
December 25 Christmas Navidad

International rankings

Miscellaneous topics

  • Communications in Peru
  • Transportation in Peru
  • Military of Peru
  • Foreign relations of Peru
  • List of famous Peruvians

External links





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