At a Glance

Official Name: Republic of Peru

Continent: South America

Area: 496,222 square miles (1,285,220 sq km)

Population: 27,483,864

Capital City: Lima

Largest City: Lima (7,450,000)

Unit of Money: Nuevo Sol

Major Languages: Spanish, Quechua (both official)

Natural Resources: Copper, silver, gold

The Place

Peru is the third-largest country in South America. It is in western South America along the Pacific Ocean.

Peru's coastline is a dry, rugged desert. The snow-capped Andes Mountains, in the Eastern Highlands, extend the length of the country. The highlands consist of grassy narrow valleys and plateaus. Huascaran, an extinct volcano, is the area's highest peak at 22,205 feet (6,768 m). Few trees grow in the highlands. Lake Titicaca, Peru's largest lake, is in the southern highlands. At 12,507 feet (3,812 m) above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. Rain forests and jungles lie east of the Andes. The Amazon River—the world's largest river—flows through this part of the country.

Coastal Peru has an average temperature of 73°F (23°C) from November to April and 61°F (16°C) from May to October. Temperatures in the highlands are cooler, with the highest elevations not rising above freezing. Jungle areas have an average yearly temperature of 80°F (27°C). The coast receives about 2 inches (5 cm) of rain a year, while eastern parts of the country may get at least 40 inches (100 cm) of rain a year. Earthquakes occur frequently in Peru.

The People

Peru has more Indians than any other country in South America. About 45% of Peruvians are Indians. People of mixed Indian and white ancestry make up the next largest group at 37%. About 15% of the population is of white ancestry. A number of Peruvians have Japanese ancestry.

The country has a population density of 54 people per square mile (20 people per sq km) and an annual population increase of 1.9%. Life expectancy is 70 years.

Most of the population lives in cities or towns. Many people work in agriculture, mining, quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and services.

Rural families live in one-room houses. Some have adobe walls and thatch or tile roofs while other houses have twig or bamboo walls and thatch roofs. Many lower-class families in urban areas live in crowded squatter communities. Squatters first build their homes out of cardboard and metal, but after saving money, build a house out of adobe or concrete blocks. Upper-and middle-class people,

Education

Peruvian children ages 6 to 12 must attend school. Many rural children do not attend school, however, because there is a shortage of schools and teachers. Almost all

Government

Type: Republic

Structure: Executive

Leader: President

Popular Culture/Daily Life

Music and dancing are very popular in Peru. Radio stations play Peruvian music, as well as songs from the United States. Indian musicians play drums, flutes, rattles, and a small instrument similar to a harp. Mestizo music consists of those instruments and guitars, fiddles, and horns. Mestizo bands perform in cafés and dance halls around the country.

Many people enjoy going to the movies. Soccer, basketball, volleyball, and bullfights are also popular. Indians are known for their sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and textiles.

Cities and towns hold an annual festival called fería to honor their patron saints.