Peru

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Alternate uses: Peru (disambiguation)

Republica del Peru

(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 27,949,639 22/km²
Independence  - Date	From Spain July 28, 1822
Currency	Sol
Time zone	UTC -5
National anthem	Somos libres, seamoslo siempre (We Are Free, Let Us Remain So Forever)
Internet TLD	.PE
Calling Code	51

Peru (Spanish Peru) 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

1 History 2 Politics 3 Regions 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 International rankings 9 Miscellaneous topics

History

Main article: History of Peru Before the Spanish arrived, Peru was home to the Incan Empire. This was conquered by the 1540s and 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 Peru 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 The Peruvian territory is divided in 26 Regions, accoreling to the Law N° 27867 of the 16 of November of year 2002: Amazonas Ancash Apurimac Arequipa Ayacucho Cajamarca Callao Cusco Huancavelica Huanuco Ica Juni­n La Libertad Lambayeque Lima Metropolitana Lima Provincias Loreto Madre de Dios Moquegua Pasco Piura San Marti­n Puno Tacna Tumbes 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	Ano Nuevo
March-April	Holy Week	Semana Santa	Two days, working holiday
May 1	May Day, Labour Day	Dia del Trabajo
June 29	Saint Peter and Saint Paul	San Pedro y San Pablo
July 28-July 29	Peruvian Independence Day	Dia de la Independencia del Peru
August 30	Saint Rose of Lima	Santa Rosa de Lima
October 8	Battle of Angamos	Combate de Angamos
November 1	All Saints Day	Dia de Todos Los Santos
December 8	Day of the Immaculate Conception	Dia de la Inmaculada Concepcion
December 25	Christmas	Navidad

• Music of Peru

International rankings

• world-wide press freedom index Rank 36 out of 139 countries (2 way tie)
• Human development index Rank 82 out of 173 countries

Miscellaneous topics

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