1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 1,285,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km water: 5,220 sq km
Area--comparative
slightly smaller than Alaska
Climate
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Coastline
2,414 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Environment--current issues
deforestation; 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 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
Irrigated land
12,800 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries
total: 6,940 km border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Land use
arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 21% forests and woodland: 66% other: 10% (1993 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
Terrain
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 35% (male 4,786,048; female 4,637,280) 15-64 years: 60% (male 8,045,747; female 7,939,760) 65 years and over: 5% (male 557,252; female 658,495) (1999 est.)
Birth rate
26.09 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate
5.7 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Ethnic groups
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Infant mortality rate
38.97 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 70.38 years male: 68.08 years female: 72.78 years (1999 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.7% male: 94.5% female: 83% (1995 est.)
Nationality
noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian
Net migration rate
-1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Population
26,624,582 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
1.93% (1999 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic
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 (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.23 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Government
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: the 1979 constitution mandated the creation of regions (regiones, singular--region) to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 of the 24 departments--Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities; the 1993 constitution retains the regions but limits their authority; the 1993 constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments
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
Data code
PE
Executive branch
chief of state: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government note: Prime Minister Victor JOYWAY (since 4 January 1999) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: President FUJIMORI reelected; percent of vote--Alberto FUJIMORI 64.42%, Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR 21.80%, Mercedes CABANILLAS 4.11%, other 9.67%
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 llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
Government type
republic
Independence
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
International organization participation
APEC, CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo V. LUNA MENDOZA chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis C. JETT embassy: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Lima mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000
Judicial branch
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary Political parties and leaders: Change 90-New Majority or C90/NM Political pressure groups and leaders: leftist guerrilla groups RAMIREZ Durand (top leader at-large)]; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary (top leader at-large)]
Legal system
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
unicameral Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--C90/NM 52.1%, UPP 14%, other parties 33.9%; seats by party--C90/NM 67, UPP 17, APRA 8, FIM 6, CODE-Pais Posible 5, AP 4, PPC 3, Renovation 3, IU 2, OBRAS 2, other parties 3
National holiday
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture--products
coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Budget
revenues: $8.5 billion expenditures: $9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2 billion (1996 est.)
Currency
1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Debt--external
$25.7 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid--recipient
$895.1 million (1995)
Economy--overview
The Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a short-lived contraction of economic activity, but the slide came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 7% in 1993, about 13% in 1994, and 6.8% in 1995. Growth slowed to 2.8% in 1996 as the government adopted tight fiscal and monetary policy to reduce the current account deficit and meet its IMF targets. Growth then rebounded to 7.3% in 1997 even as inflation fell to its lowest level in 23 years. Capital inflows surged to record levels in early 1997 and have remained strong. In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. While Lima publicly projects a rebound to 5% in 1999, private sector analysts believe this figure is overly optimistic.
Electricity--consumption
16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports
0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports
0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--production
16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: 19.25% hydro: 80.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Exchange rates
nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1--3.250 (January 1999), 2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996), 2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994)
Exports
$6.8 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports--commodities
copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton
Exports--partners
US 20%, Japan 7%, UK 7%, China 7%, Germany 5% (1996)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP
purchasing power parity--$111.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture: 7% industry: 37% services: 56% (1997)
GDP--per capita
purchasing power parity?$4,300 (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate
1.8% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 34.3% (1994)
Imports
$10.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports--commodities
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports--partners
US 31%, Colombia 7%, Chile 6%, Venezuela 6%, UK 6% (1996)
Industrial production growth rate
1.2% (1996)
Industries
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.7% (1997 est.)
Labor force
7.6 million (1996 est.)
Labor force--by occupation
agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Population below poverty line
54% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate
8.2%; extensive underemployment (1996)
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 273, FM 0, shortwave 144
Radios
5.7 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system
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)
Telephones
779,306 (1990 est.)
Television broadcast stations
13 (in addition, there are 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions
2 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Airports
244 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 200 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 99 (1998 est.)
Highways
total: 72,146 km paved: 7,353 km unpaved: 64,793 km (1998 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,518 GRT/75,018 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.)
Pipelines
crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km 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: 2,041 km standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1997)
Waterways
8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca
Military and Security
Military branches
Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police
Military expenditures--dollar figure
$913 million (1998); note--may not include off-budget purchases related to military modernization program
Military expenditures--percent of GDP
1.4% (1998)
Military manpower--availability
males age 15-49: 6,913,471 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 4,657,649 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--military age
20 years of age
Military manpower--reaching military age annually
males: 268,624 (1999 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
on 26 October 1998, Peru and Ecuador concluded treaties on commerce and navigation and on boundary integration, to complete a package of agreements settling the long-standing boundary dispute between them; demarcation of the agreed-upon boundary was scheduled to begin in mid-January 1999
Illicit drugs
until recently the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru has reduced the area of coca under cultivation by 26%, from 68,800 hectares in 1997 to 51,000 hectares at the end of 1998; most of cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia and Brazil for processing into cocaine for the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are increasing