1,285,216 sq.km(496,225 sq. miles)

28,220,764 (2007). The population is largely Indian and Mestizos with a noticeable influence  from European (mainly Spanish), Asian and African settlers.  

22/sq. km

Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west.
 
There are three natural zones, running roughly north to south. Costa (Coast), Sierra (The Highlands) and Selva (Amazonian Jungle).
 
The Coast region, which contains Lima ( the capital) is a narrow coastal plain consisting of the large tracts of deserts broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so far exploited oil fields lie in this area.
 
The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks of over 6000 m (20,000 ft), most of the country's mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. Potato is one of the principal crops of the zone, well -known in the world.  

The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical uplands, lies between the Andes and the jungles of eastern Peru. Sections of a proposed international highway are at present being built through it, with some sections already in use. The Amazonian Jungle of eastern Peru has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full scale oil exploration began in 1973.

The Peruvian sea is the fourth important region for its fish and sea products richness thanks to the Peruvian Humboldt Current.

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages, Aymara is spoken in some areas of the department of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.

Catholic: 81.3%

Protestant: 12.5%

Others: 3.3%

None: 2.9%

(2007)

GMT -5/-13 hours Taiwan Time

220 Volts AC, 60Hz

Varies according to area. On the coast winter lasts from June to September. During this period the mountains areas are often sunny. Heavy rains in the mountains and jungle last from December to April.
 

Required clothing

Lightweight during summer with warmer clothes worn in upland areas. Medium weights are advised during cooler months.

Telephone

International Direct Dialing Country code: 51.
City codes: Lima 1; Cusco 84; Arequipa 54; Chiclayo 74; Puno 54; Iquitos 94
Outgoing international code: 00
 

Fax

Airmail Private telecom companies offer fax services throughout the country, small public booths and services are found on commercial areas, the main hotels also have facilities.
 

Telex/Telegram

Airmail Facilities area available in main hotels (available to guests) and in the branches of the telecom companies in Lima and other cities. Country code is PE.

Post

Airmail to East Asia takes up to ten days. The main post office (Correo Central de Lima) is near the Plaza de Armas and opens 08.00-20.00 Monday to Saturday, 09.00-14.00 Sunday. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima.

Press

Newspapers are in Spanish. Morning dailies include El Comercio, Ojo, Expreso, La Republica, El Peruano, El Mundo, Gestión, Síntesis.

The English language monthly is the "Lima Times" and it is possible to get it in main hotels and bookstores where you can also find international press.

International Radio

BBC MHz 17.84 15.26 15.22 9.915

Voice of America MHz 15.21 11.58 9.775 5.995

TV-Cable

There are nine TV channels in Lima which broadcast in Spanish. International TV via cable is available on major hotels.

Currency

Nuevo Sol (S/.)=100 céntimos.
Bill notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 20 and 10 Nuevos Soles. Coins of 5, 2 and 1 (nuevo sol ), 0.5, 0.20, 0.10, 0.05 (céntimos).

Currency exchange

Changing currencies other than US Dollars can be difficult. Banks, hotels and shops easily accept US Dollars. Casas de Cambio (exchange offices) are recommended for their rates, speed and security.

Credit Cards

American Express, Access/Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa are all accepted, but usage facilities may be limited outside the main cities. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
 

Traveler's Cheques

American Express state that they will trade traveler's cheques in Lima Tours Office of Lima (Belen 1040). Banks also trade traveler's cheques. Outside Lima, changing traveler's cheques might be a slow process.

Exchange Rate

December, 2009
S/. 2.88 = US$ 1.00 (There are no currency restrictions)

Banking Hours

Most of banks open from 09.30 to 16.00 hours, Monday to Friday. Some bank agencies open Saturdays from 9.30 to 12.30 hours.

Duty Free

The following items may be imported into Peru without incurring customs duties: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 3 liters of spirits or 3 liters of wine, a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Drinking bottled water is recommended.

Main water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upset. Eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Avoid eating from street vendors.

Medical insurance is recommended.

Regulations and requirements may be subject to changing with short notice, and you are advised to contact your doctor well in advance of your intended date of departure. If you are planning to go to the Highlands, check your blood pressure.

Yellow Fever

A vaccination certificate is required of travelers over six months of age arriving from infected areas. Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note vaccination which is recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if outbreak has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

Malaria almost exclusively in the benign vivax form exists throughout the year in the rural areas below 1500 m. (4922 ft.). Falciparum malaria occurs sporadically in areas bordering Bolivia (Madre de Dios), Brasil (Yaravi and Acre River), Colombia (Putumayo River), Ecuador (Napo River) and in Zarumilla Province (Tumbes) and in areas where petroleum deposits are being exploited. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine of the falciparum strain has been reported. 

The purpose of The Tourist Bureau of Complaints is to protect consumer rights of tourists visiting Peru by helping them solve any problem that may arise regarding the services they hire.

24 hours Hot Line: 224-7888