2000 Edition

Background

After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. In recent years, bold reform programs and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity and drug trafficking have resulted in solid economic growth.

Area

land

1.28 million sq km

total

1,285,220 sq km

water

5,220 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

highest point

Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 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 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

border countries

Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km

total

5,536 km

Land use

arable land

3%

forests and woodland

66%

other

10% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

0%

permanent pastures

21%

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 35% (male 4,776,074; female 4,628,899) 15-64 years: 61% (male 8,224,829; female 8,119,751) 65 years and over: 4% (male 579,465; female 683,881) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

24.48 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Infant mortality rate

40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.5 years (2000 est.)

male

67.63 years

total population

70.01 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

83% (1995 est.)

male

94.5%

total population

88.7%

Nationality

adjective

Peruvian

noun

Peruvian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

27,012,899 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.75% (2000 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 (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.04 children born/woman (2000 est.)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador John HAMILTON

embassy

Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Lima

mailing address

P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000

telephone

(1) 434-3000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Alfonso RIVERO Monsalve

telephone

(202) 833-9860 through 9869

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

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; additionally there are two vice presidents

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%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held 9 April 2000)

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; additionally there are two vice presidents

note

Prime Minister Alberto BUSTAMANTE (since 13 October 1999) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president

FAX

(202) 659-8124

(1) 434-3037

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco

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

constitutional 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

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 Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

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 Party 3, IU 2, OBRAS 2, other parties 3

elections

last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held 9 April 2000)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Political parties and leaders

American Popular Revolutionary Alliance or APRA ; Change 90-New Majority or C90/NM [Alberto FUJIMORI]; Civic Works Movement or OBRAS ; Democratic Coordinator or CODE-Pais Posible [Jose BARBA Caballero and Alejandro TOLEDO]; Independent Agrarian Movement or MIA ; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM ; Peru 2000 [Alberto FUJIMORI]; coalition of C90/NM and Vamos Vecino; Popular Action Party or AP ; Popular Christian Party or PPC [Luis BEDOYA Reyes]; Renovation Party ; Union for Peru or UPP ; United Left or IU ; Vamos Vecino or VV

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

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2 billion (1996 est.)

revenues

$8.5 billion

Currency

1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos

Debt - external

$31 billion (1998 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. Thanks to strong foreign investment and the cooperation between the FUJIMORI 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. And 1999 was another lean year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial crisis working its way through the economy. Lima did manage to complete negotiations for an Extended Fund Facility with the IMF in June 1999, although it subsequently had to renegotiate the targets. Pressure on spending is growing in the run-up to the 2000 elections. Nevertheless, improved commodity prices and the recovery of the fishing sector should help drive GDP growth above the 5% mark in 2000.

Electricity - consumption

17.002 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

2 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

18.28 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

24.53%

hydro

74.79%

nuclear

0%

other

0.68% (1998)

Exchange rates

nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1 - 3.500 (January 2000), 3.383 (1999), 2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996), 2.253 (1995)

Exports

$5.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 25%, China 8%, Japan 7%, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Brazil (1997)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $116 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

13%

industry

42%

services

45% (1998)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $4,400 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 34.3% (1994)

Imports

$8.4 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 19%, Colombia 6%, Venezuela 5%, Chile 4%, Brazil 4% (1997)

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)

5.5% (1999 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

7.7%; extensive underemployment (1997)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

15 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

Radios

6.65 million (1997)

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); Pan American submarine cable

Telephones - main lines in use

1.509 million (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

504,995 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

3.06 million (1997)

Airports

234 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

44 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

190 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 67 under 914 m: 94 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

8,700 km

total

72,900 km

unpaved

64,200 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 1, cargo 6 (1999 est.)

total

7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 65,193 GRT/100,584 DWT

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

narrow gauge

380 km 0.914-m gauge

standard gauge

1,608 km 1.435-m gauge

total

1,988 km

Waterways

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

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 (Policia Nacional)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.3 billion (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 7,059,079 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 4,752,112 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

268,646 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

demarcation of the agreed-upon border with Ecuador was completed in May 1999

Illicit drugs

until recently the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru has reduced the area of coca under cultivation by 24% to 38,700 hectares at the end of 1999; most of cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil for processing into cocaine for the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are increasing by maritime conveyance to Mexico, US, and Europe

PHILIPPINES