Peru

Peru is located on the South American continent. This is the fourth largest continent in the world. The Amazon, South America's longest river and the second largest river in the world, flows through Peru.

Facts and Figures

Peru is bordered by Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Brazil. After Brazil and Argentina, it is the third largest country in South America.

The longest mountain range on the Earth, the Andes runs through Peru

Date of Independence: 1826, from Spain (Spain recognized it in 1879). Officially it is the Republic of Peru (Republica del Peru).

Capital City: Lima

Form of Government: Republic

Peru has a population of over almost 24 million people. 71% of the population live in urban settlements while 29% live rurally.

Peru has the highest percentage of indigenous people of any south American country at 80%.

Languages: Spanish, Quechue, Aymara

Peru has three main land regions: The coast, the highlands and the selva (jungle). The long narrow coast has a desert drier than the Sahara in Africa

Peru is a world leader in the production of copper, silver, lead, and zinc, as well as fishing.

Information

Less than 20% of Peru is paved which has preserved much of the area called the 'Selva' or 'Jungle'. Most trade and communication is accomplished on rivers.

Petroleum is the major threat to Pucallpa. There is much exploration and development in the area. This means more roads.

Peru is working on a road called the 'Carretea Marginal de la Selva' which will connect Peru, Columbia, Bolivia and Ecuador. Again, this means more destruction of rainforest.

3/5 of Peru is considered 'La Selva' or the jungle.

Peru protects 5% of its' total land in 24 national Parks.

In 1976 a billion dollar pipeline was constructed over the Andes and through the rainforest. This pipeline pumps 250,000 barrels of oil per year.

Mining accounts for 40% of the gross national income, yet it employs only 2% of the Peruvian population.

Chavin Indians developed the first known civilization in the area known as Peru. It reached its peak about 900 B.C. They tamed the llama and cultivated potatoes. The llama is used as a pack animal. It is useful in cold mountainous areas because of its agility and ability to keep warm.

There were other groups of people , but probably the most famous were the mighty Incas. They founded a kingdom in the 1200's in the southern area of Peru. They were master architects and road builders. They were also very accurate astronomers and great warriors.

The Incas were at their peak in the early 1500's when the spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro began to explore the west coast of South America. He was looking for riches to take back to Spain. Pizarro and his men are considered to be the first white men to set foot in what is Peru today.

Pizarro conquered the Incas. Spain ruled the territory of Peru for nearly 300 years. The two main heros in Peru's fight for independence were Jose de San Martin of Argentina and Simon Bolivar of Venezuala.