ARCHIVE // PE // 2002
Peru
2002 Edition — sovereign
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Communications
Internet users
(Internet Service Providers (ISPs))
[time series]
10 (2000)
Internet country code
[time series]
.pe
Internet users
[time series]
3 million (2002)
Broadcast media
(Radio broadcast stations)
[time series]
AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)
Radios
[time series]
6.65 million (1997)
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
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 - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
1.8 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
504,995 (1998)
Broadcast media
(Television broadcast stations)
[time series]
13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions
[time series]
3.06 million (1997)
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $10.4 billion expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) (2002 est.)
Exchange rates
(Currency)
[time series]
nuevo sol (PEN)
Exchange rates
(Currency code)
[time series]
PEN
Debt - external
[time series]
$33.1 billion (2001 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
(Distribution of family income - Gini index)
[time series]
46 (1996)
Economic aid
(Economic aid - recipient)
[time series]
$895.1 million (1995) (1995)
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Thanks to strong 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. 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. 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 depressed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO, who assumed the presidency in July 2001, is working to reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in 2002 is projected to be 3 to 3.5%.
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
18.301 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production
[time series]
19.679 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source
[time series]
fossil fuel: 18% hydro: 81% other: 1% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Exchange rates
[time series]
nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.4400 (November 2001), 3.509 (2001), 3.4900 (2000), 3.3833 (1999), 2.9300 (1998), 2.6642 (1997)
Exports
[time series]
$7.3 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton
Exports - partners
[time series]
US 28%, UK 8%, Switzerland 8%, China 6%, Japan, Chile, Brazil (2000)
Fiscal year
[time series]
calendar year
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP)
[time series]
purchasing power parity - $132 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 10% industry: 35% services: 55% (2001 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita)
[time series]
purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2001 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
-0.3% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 35% (1996) (1996)
Imports
[time series]
$7.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners
[time series]
US 27%, Chile 8%, Spain 6%, Venezuela 4%, Colombia, Brazil, Japan (2000)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
1.5% (2001 est.)
Industries
[time series]
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
1.5% (2001 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
7.5 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, transport, services
Population below poverty line
[time series]
50% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
9%; widespread underemployment (2001 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 1,285,220 sq km water: 5,220 sq km land: 1.28 million sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
slightly smaller than Alaska
Climate
[time series]
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes
Coastline
[time series]
2,414 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
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
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
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
[time series]
10 00 S, 76 00 W
Geography - note
[time series]
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; remote Lake McIntyre is the ultimate source of the Amazon River
Irrigated land
[time series]
11,950 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
[time series]
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
[time series]
arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 0.38% other: 96.77% (1998 est.)
Location
[time series]
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Map references
[time series]
South America
Maritime claims
[time series]
continental shelf: 200 NM territorial sea: 200 NM
Natural hazards
[time series]
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Natural resources
[time series]
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Terrain
[time series]
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
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
[time series]
Lima
Constitution
[time series]
31 December 1993
Country name
[time series]
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
[time series]
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
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto DANINO 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
[time series]
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 Luis SOLARI DE LA FUENTE (since 12 July 2002) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president; DANINO resigned 11 July 2002 and was replaced by Luis SOLARI 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
(Flag description)
[time series]
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
[time series]
constitutional republic
Independence
[time series]
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
International organization participation
[time series]
ABEDA, APEC, CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Legal system
[time series]
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
[time series]
unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congresso 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
[time series]
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
American Popular Revolutionary Alliance or APRA (now Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP as of April 2001) [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 parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
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
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
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
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
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
[time series]
$1 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures
(Military expenditures - percent of GDP)
[time series]
1.8% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability
[time series]
males age 15-49: 7,356,395 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service
[time series]
males age 15-49: 4,944,952 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age
[time series]
17 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually
[time series]
males: 276,458 (2002 est.)
People
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 34% (male 4,820,892; female 4,671,205) 15-64 years: 61.1% (male 8,598,328; female 8,492,830) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 627,601; female 738,783) (2002 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
23.36 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
0.35% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
4,100 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
48,000 (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
38.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Languages
[time series]
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 70.59 years female: 73.12 years (2002 est.) male: 68.18 years
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.3% male: 94.5% female: 83% (1995 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian
Net migration rate
[time series]
-1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Population
[time series]
27,949,639 (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate
[time series]
1.66% (2002 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 90%
Sex ratio
[time series]
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 (2002 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
2.89 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
dispute with Chile over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Colombian drug activities penetrate Peruvian border area
Illicit drugs
[time series]
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
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
239 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
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
[time series]
total: 184 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 100 (2002)
Roadways
(Highways)
[time series]
total: 72,900 km paved: 8,700 km unpaved: 64,200 km (1999 est.)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: United States 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1
Pipelines
[time series]
crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km
Ports
(Ports and harbors)
[time series]
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
[time series]
total: 2,102 km standard gauge: 1,695 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 407 km 0.914-m gauge (2001)
Waterways
[time series]
8,808 km note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca