Peru

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

10 (2000)

Internet country code

.pe

Internet users

3 million (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

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

Telephones - main lines in use

1.8 million (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

504,995 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Agriculture - products

coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish

Budget

revenues: $10.4 billion expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

Currency

nuevo sol (PEN)

Currency code

PEN

Debt - external

$29.2 billion (2002 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.2 (1996)

Economic aid - recipient

$895.1 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the 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. The following year was again 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 growth in 2000. The downturn in the global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO, who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in 2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas sectors.

Electricity - consumption

19.15 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

20.59 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% other: 0.8% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates

nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998)

Exports

$7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton

Exports - partners

US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 10% industry: 27% services: 63% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)

Imports

$7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%, Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2002 est.)

Industries

mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force

7.5 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services

Natural gas - consumption

370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

245.1 billion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption

161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

614.7 million bbl (37257)

Population below poverty line

50% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.)

Area

total: 1,285,220 sq km water: 5,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Climate

varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Coastline

2,414 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

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

Geographic coordinates

10 00 S, 76 00 W

Geography - note

shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

Irrigated land

11,950 sq km (1998 est.)

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

Land use

arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.)

Location

Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200 NM territorial sea: 200 NM

Natural hazards

earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Natural resources

copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Terrain

western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

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: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1 constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25 administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over the course of several years

Capital

Lima

Constitution

31 December 1993

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSON 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington (DC) FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869

Executive branch

chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (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 Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (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 Canseco (since 28 July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001) note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December 2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days later elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001, with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006 election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9% cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

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 vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath

Government type

constitutional republic

Independence

28 July 1821 (from Spain)

International organization participation

ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Legal system

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%, APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others 17 elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Political parties and leaders

Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [Luis SOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]

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)]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government.

Military branches

Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, Security Police, and Technical Police)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.8% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 281,717 (2003 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008) 15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072) 65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.)

Birth rate

22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate

5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups

Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,900 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

53,000 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.88 years male: 68.45 years female: 73.43 years (2003 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.9% male: 95.2% female: 86.8% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.7 years (2002)

Nationality

noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian

Net migration rate

-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population

28,409,897 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate

1.61% (2003 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 90%

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 (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Disputes - international

Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884

Illicit drugs

until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600 hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa

Airports

233 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 49 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002)

Highways

total: 72,900 km paved: 9,331 km unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: US 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1

Pipelines

gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003)

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

Railways

total: 1,829 km standard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)

Waterways

8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca