Introduction
Background
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980.
Geography
Area
total : 1,285,216 sq km
land: 1,279,996 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
Climate
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes
Natural resources
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
People and Society
Population
total: 32,600,249
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 60.2%, Indigenous 25.8%, White 5.9%, African descent 3.6%, other (includes Chinese and Japanese descent) 1.2%, unspecified 3.3% (2017 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 82.9%, Quechua (official) 13.6%, Aymara (official) 1.6%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages (includes many minor Amazonian languages) 0.8%, other 0.2%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.7% (2017 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 66.4%, Protestant 22.4% (Evangelical 19.6%, other Protestant 1.3%), other 1.9%, agnostic/atheist none 6.8%, unspecified 1.2% (2023 est.)
Population growth rate
0.48% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Lima
Executive branch
chief of state: President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra (since 7 December 2022)
head of government: President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra (since 7 December 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Congress (130 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Santiago Carlos FERRERO DIEZ CANSECO (since 27 February 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires John T. McNAMARA (since 8 September 2023)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income South American economy; hit hard by political instability and COVID-19 but rebounding quickly; second-largest cocaine producer; current account balance improving; persistent income inequality; diversified exporter
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$517.644 billion (2023 est.)
$520.507 billion (2022 est.)
$506.697 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$15,100 (2023 est.)
$15,300 (2022 est.)
$15,000 (2021 est.)
Exports
$73.326 billion (2023 est.)
$71.129 billion (2022 est.)
$66.061 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 30%, US 15%, Japan 5%, Canada 5%, South Korea 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
copper ore, gold, natural gas, refined copper, refined petroleum (2022)
Imports
$62.99 billion (2023 est.)
$69.44 billion (2022 est.)
$58.509 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 27%, US 24%, Brazil 6%, Argentina 4%, Chile 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, trucks (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 05, 2024
