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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)

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)

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.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

nuevo sol (PEN)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

PEN

Debt - external [time series]

$29.2 billion (2002 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

46.2 (1996)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$895.1 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

19.15 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

20.59 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

$7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 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 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

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

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

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

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.3% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

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 [time series]

6.5% (2002 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]

0.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

7.5 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

245.1 billion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption [time series]

161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

614.7 million bbl (37257)

Population below poverty line [time series]

50% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 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; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, 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: 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 [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 (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 [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 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 (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, 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 [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 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 [time series]

Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 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: 7,510,882 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

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

Military manpower - military age [time series]

17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 281,717 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 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]

0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

3,900 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

53,000 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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 [time series]

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

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

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Population [time series]

28,409,897 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.61% (2003 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 (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

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]

233 (2002)

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: 9,331 km unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

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 [time series]

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

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

Waterways [time series]

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