| Background: |
After a dozen
years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic
leadership in 1980. In recent years, bold reform programs
and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity
and drug trafficking have resulted in solid economic growth. |
| Location: |
Western South
America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile
and Ecuador |
| Geographic
coordinates: |
10 00 S, 76 00 W |
| Map
references: |
South America |
| Area: |
total:
1,285,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km
water: 5,220 sq km |
| Area
- comparative: |
slightly smaller
than Alaska |
| Land
boundaries: |
total:
5,536 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560
km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km |
| Maritime
claims: |
continental
shelf: 200 NM
territorial sea: 200 NM |
| 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) |
| Elevation
extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m |
| Natural
resources: |
copper, silver,
gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate,
potash, hydropower |
| Land
use: |
arable land:
3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 21%
forests and woodland: 66%
other: 10% (1993 est.) |
| Irrigated
land: |
12,800 sq km
(1993 est.) |
| Natural
hazards: |
earthquakes,
tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity |
| Environment
- current issues: |
deforestation
(some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the
slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion;
desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers
and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes |
| Environment
- international agreements: |
party to:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol |
| Geography
- note: |
shares control of
Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia |
| Population: |
27,483,864 (July
2001 est.) |
| Age
structure: |
0-14 years:
34.41% (male 4,803,464; female 4,654,890)
15-64 years: 60.8% (male 8,408,210; female
8,302,943)
65 years and over: 4.79% (male 603,309; female
711,048) (2001 est.) |
| Population
growth rate: |
1.7% (2001 est.) |
| Birth
rate: |
23.9 births/1,000
population (2001 est.) |
| Death
rate: |
5.78 deaths/1,000
population (2001 est.) |
| Net
migration rate: |
-1.08 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2001 est.) |
| Sex
ratio: |
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2001
est.) |
| Infant
mortality rate: |
39.39
deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) |
| Life
expectancy at birth: |
total
population: 70.3 years
male: 67.9 years
female: 72.81 years (2001 est.) |
| Total
fertility rate: |
2.96 children
born/woman (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- adult prevalence rate: |
0.35% (1999 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- people living with HIV/AIDS: |
48,000 (1999
est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- deaths: |
4,100 (1999 est.) |
| Nationality: |
noun:
Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian |
| Ethnic
groups: |
Amerindian 45%,
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black,
Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% |
| Religions: |
Roman Catholic
90% |
| Languages: |
Spanish
(official), Quechua (official), Aymara |
| Literacy: |
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.7%
male: 94.5%
female: 83% (1995 est.) |
| Country
name: |
conventional
long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru |
| Government
type: |
constitutional
republic |
| Administrative
divisions: |
24 departments (departamentos,
singular - departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia
constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa,
Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco,
Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de
Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna,
Tumbes, Ucayali
note: the 1979 constitution mandated the
creation of regions (regiones, singular - region) to
function eventually as autonomous economic and
administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been
constituted from 23 of the 24 departments - Amazonas (from
Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin),
Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from
Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac),
La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from
Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua,
Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque,
Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali
(from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed
by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao
to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate
funding from the central government and organizational and
political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major
responsibilities; the 1993 constitution retains the regions
but limits their authority; the 1993 constitution also
reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal
governments |
| Independence: |
28 July 1821
(from Spain) |
| National
holiday: |
Independence Day,
28 July (1821) |
| Constitution: |
31 December 1993 |
| Legal
system: |
based on civil
law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: |
18 years of age;
universal |
| Executive
branch: |
chief of
state: President Alejandro TOLEDO (since 28 July
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government; additionally two vice presidents are
provided for by the Constitution, First Vice President Raul
DIEZ Conseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President
David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO
(since 28 July 2001); note - the president is both the chief
of state and head of government; additionally two vice
presidents are provided for by the Constitution, First Vice
President Raul DIEZ Conseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second
Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
note: Prime Minister Roberto DANINO (since 28
July 2001) does not exercise executive power; this power is
in the hands of the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the
president
elections: president elected by popular vote
for a five-year term; special presidential election held 8
April 2001 with runoff election 3 June 2001); next to be
held NA 2006
election results: President TOLEDO elected in
runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO 53.1%,
Alan GARCIA 46.9% |
| Legislative
branch: |
unicameral
Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente
Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 9 April 2000 (next to be
held 8 April 2001)
note: many congressmen defected to and then
from former President FUJIMORI's coalition in 2000
election results: percent of vote by party -
Peru 2000 42.16%, Peru Possible 23.34%, FIM 7.56%, Somos
Peru 7.2%, APRA 5.5%, others 14.24%; seats by party - Peru
2000 52, Peru Possible 29, FIM 9, others 30 |
| Judicial
branch: |
Supreme Court of
Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed
by the National Council of the Judiciary) |
| Political
parties and leaders: |
American Popular
Revolutionary Alliance or APRA [Alan GARCIA]; Andean Rebirth
[Ciro GALVEZ Herreria]; Avancemos [leader NA]; Democratic
Cause [Jorge SANTISTEVAN]; Independent Moralizing Front or
FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Solidarity or SN [Luis
CASTANEDA Lossio]; National Unity [Lourdes FLORES Nano];
Peru 2000 [leader NA]; Peru Posible or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO
Maniquez]; Popular Action or AP [leader NA]; Popular
Agrarian Front of Peru or Frepap [leader NA]; Popular
Solution [Carlos BOLONA Behr]; Project Country [Mario
Antonio ARRUNATEGUI]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE];
Union for Peru or UPP [leader NA]; Vamos Vecinos or VV [Absalon
VASQUEZ] |
| Political
pressure groups and leaders: |
leftist guerrilla
groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso
(imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY
(imprisoned), Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)] |
| International
organization participation: |
ABEDA, APEC, CAN,
CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL,
OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
| Diplomatic
representation in the US: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador Alfonso RIVERO Monsalve
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San
Francisco |
| Diplomatic
representation from the US: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador John HAMILTON
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n,
Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1;
American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000
FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037 |
| Flag
description: |
three equal,
vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the
coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source
of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold
coins, all framed by a green wreath |
| Economy
- overview: |
The Peruvian
economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major
privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining,
electricity, and telecommunications industries. Thanks to
strong foreign investment and the cooperation between the
FUJIMORI government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was
strong in 1994-97 and inflation was brought under control.
In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial
crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets
undercut growth. And 1999 was another lean year for Peru,
with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis
working its way through the economy. Political instability
resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's
subsequent departure from office limited economic growth in
2000. |
| GDP: |
purchasing power
parity - $123 billion (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- real growth rate: |
3.6% (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- per capita: |
purchasing power
parity - $4,550 (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- composition by sector: |
agriculture:
15%
industry: 42%
services: 43% (1999) |
| Population
below poverty line: |
49% (1994 est.) |
| Household
income or consumption by percentage share: |
lowest 10%:
1.9%
highest 10%: 34.3% (1994) |
| Inflation
rate (consumer prices): |
3.7% (2000 est.) |
| Labor
force: |
7.6 million (1996
est.) |
| Labor
force - by occupation: |
agriculture,
mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction,
transport, services |
| Unemployment
rate: |
7.7%; extensive
underemployment (1997) |
| Budget: |
revenues:
$8.5 billion
expenditures: $9.3 billion, including capital
expenditures of $2 billion (1996 est.) |
| Industries: |
mining of metals,
petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing,
cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal
fabrication |
| Industrial
production growth rate: |
8.5% (2000 est.) |
| Electricity
- production: |
18.886 billion
kWh (1999) |
| Electricity
- production by source: |
fossil fuel:
23.04%
hydro: 76.43%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0.53% (1999) |
| Electricity
- consumption: |
17.565 billion
kWh (1999) |
| Electricity
- exports: |
0 kWh (1999) |
| Electricity
- imports: |
1 million kWh
(1999) |
| Agriculture
- products: |
coffee, cotton,
sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry,
beef, dairy products, wool; fish |
| Exports: |
$7 billion
(f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Exports
- commodities: |
fish and fish
products, copper, zinc, gold, crude petroleum and
byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton |
| Exports
- partners: |
US 29%, EU 25%,
Andean Community 6%, Japan 4%, Mercosur 3% (1999) |
| Imports: |
$7.4 billion
(f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Imports
- commodities: |
machinery,
transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals |
| Imports
- partners: |
US 32%, EU 21%,
Andean Community 6%, Mercosur 8%, Japan 5% (1999) |
| Debt
- external: |
$31 billion (2000
est.) |
| Economic
aid - recipient: |
$895.1 million
(1995) |
| Currency: |
nuevo sol (PEN) |
| Exchange
rates: |
nuevo sol per US
dollar - 3.5230 (January 2001), 3.4900 (2000), 3.383 (1999),
2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996) |
| Fiscal
year: |
calendar year |
| Telephones
- main lines in use: |
1.509 million
(1998) |
| Telephones
- mobile cellular: |
504,995 (1998) |
| Telephone
system: |
general
assessment: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay
system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth
stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable |
| Radio
broadcast stations: |
AM 472, FM 198,
shortwave 189 (1999) |
| Radios: |
6.65 million
(1997) |
| Television
broadcast stations: |
13 (plus 112
repeaters) (1997) |
| Televisions: |
3.06 million
(1997) |
| Internet
country code: |
.pe |
| Internet
Service Providers (ISPs): |
10 (2000) |
| Internet
users: |
400,000 (2000) |
| Railways: |
total:
1,988 km
standard gauge: 1,608 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 380 km 0.914-m gauge |
| Highways: |
total:
72,900 km
paved: 8,700 km
unpaved: 64,200 km (1999 est.) |
| Waterways: |
8,808 km
note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of
Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca |
| Pipelines: |
crude oil 800 km;
natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km |
| Ports
and harbors: |
Callao, Chimbote,
Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado, Salaverry, San
Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all
on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries |
| Merchant
marine: |
total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,623 GRT/61,769 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1
(2000 est.) |
| Airports: |
233 (2000 est.) |
| Airports
- with paved runways: |
total:
46
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
| Airports
- with unpaved runways: |
total:
187
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 65
under 914 m: 95 (2000 est.) |
| Military
branches: |
Army (Ejercito
Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval
Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del
Peru), National Police (Policia Nacional) |
| Military
manpower - military age: |
20 years of age |
| Military
manpower - availability: |
males age
15-49: 7,205,675 (2001 est.) |
| Military
manpower - fit for military service: |
males age
15-49: 4,847,250 (2001 est.) |
| Military
manpower - reaching military age annually: |
males:
276,458 (2001 est.) |
| Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$1 billion (FY00) |
| Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
1.9% (FY00) |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
| Illicit
drugs: |
until 1996 the
world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru reduced the area of
coca under cultivation by 64% to 34,200 hectares between
1996 and the end of 2000; much of the cocaine base is
shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine
for the international drug market; increasing amounts of
finished cocaine, however, are being shipped to Europe or to
Brazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or
transshipped to world markets |
|
