Peru ( Spanish: Perú Quechua: Piruw Aymara: Piruw), officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to its south and west.

Peru is known for its amazing variety of plants and animals. It has a population of about 32 million people. Its capital and largest city is Lima. Peru is the 19th largest country in the world and the third largest in South America. It covers about 1.28 million square kilometers (0.5 million square miles).

Peru is a republic where people choose their leaders. The country is divided into 25 regions. Peru is a member of important groups like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the World Trade Organization.

The people of Peru come from many backgrounds. These include people of mixed heritage (Mestizo), native groups, Europeans, Africans, and Asasians. The main language spoken is Spanish. Many Peruvians also speak Quechuan languages, Aymara, or other Indigenous languages.

History of Peru
Exploring Peru's Geography
- Peru's Climate
- Wildlife in Peru
Government and Politics in Peru
People of Peru
Peru's Economy
- Mining in Peru
- Agriculture in Peru
Peruvian Culture
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

History of Peru

Peru has a very long history, going back to 10,000 BCE. It was home to many ancient civilizations. Some of the most famous include the Caral–Supe civilization, which was one of the first civilizations in the Americas. Other important groups were the Nazca culture, the Wari and Tiwanaku empires, and the Inca Empire. The Inca Empire was the largest known state in the Americas before Europeans arrived.

In the 1500s, the Spanish Empire took control of the region. They set up a large colony called the Viceroyalty of Peru, with its capital in Lima. The first university in the Americas, the National University of San Marcos, was started in Lima in 1551.

Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821. After several battles, like the decisive Battle of Ayacucho, Peru became fully independent in 1824. For many years, Peru faced political problems. However, it later had a time of economic growth thanks to selling guano (bird droppings used as fertilizer). This period ended with the War of the Pacific (1879–1884).

Throughout the 1900s, Peru continued to have political and social challenges. There were also periods of economic growth. In the 1990s, the country moved towards a more free-market economy. More recently, the 2000s saw economic growth and less poverty. However, Peru has faced new political challenges and protests since 2022.

Exploring Peru's Geography

Manú National Park in the Amazon, the mountain peak Alpamayo and Paracas National Reserve.

Peru is located on the central western coast of South America, next to the Pacific Ocean. It is in the Southern Hemisphere. The country covers about 1.28 million square kilometers. It shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south.

The Andes mountains run through Peru, parallel to the Pacific Ocean. These mountains divide the country into three main regions:

The costa (coast) is a narrow, mostly dry plain in the west.
The sierra (highlands) is the Andes mountain region. It includes the high Altiplano plateau and Peru's highest peak, Huascarán, which is 6,768 meters (22,205 feet) tall.
The selva (jungle) is a large, flat area covered by the Amazon rainforest in the east. This region makes up almost 60% of Peru's total area.

Peru has many rivers. Most of them start in the Andes mountains. Some flow into the Pacific Ocean, while others, like the mighty Amazon River, flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon River, which is 6,872 km (4,270 miles) long, is the longest and most powerful river in the world. About 75% of Peru's land is part of the Amazon basin. Peru also holds 4% of the planet's fresh water.

The largest lake in Peru is Lake Titicaca. It is located high in the Andes mountains, on the border between Peru and Bolivia.

Peru's Climate

Peru has a wide variety of climates. This is because of its location near the equator, its mountain ranges, different land types, and two ocean currents (the Humboldt Current and El Niño).

The coastal region has mild temperatures, not much rain, and high humidity.
In the mountain region, it often rains in the summer. Temperatures and humidity drop as you go higher up the Andes.
The Amazon jungle has heavy rainfall and high temperatures.

Wildlife in Peru

Peru is a megadiverse country, meaning it has a huge variety of life. As of 2003, there were 21,462 reported species of plants and animals, with 5,855 of them found only in Peru.

Peru is home to over 1,800 species of birds, with 120 found nowhere else. It also has 500 species of mammals and over 300 species of reptiles. Rare mammals include the puma, jaguar, and spectacled bear. The Birds of Peru produce a lot of guano, which is an important export. The Pacific Ocean off Peru's coast is full of fish like sea bass, flounder, anchovies, and tuna. It also has many crustaceans, shellfish, sharks, and whales.

Peru's plants are just as diverse.

The coastal deserts mostly have cacti, except for special "fog oases" and river valleys with unique plants.
The high mountain grasslands, called puna, have bushes, cactus, and tough plants like ichu. They also have the giant Puya raimondii, which is the largest species of bromeliad.
The cloud-forest slopes of the Andes are home to moss, orchids, and bromeliads.
The Amazon rainforest is famous for its huge variety of trees and plants that grow high in the canopy.

Government and Politics in Peru

Palacio de Gobierno, in Lima

Peru is a republic with a system where the president shares power with the parliament. It has many political parties. The country follows a democratic system based on its 1993 Constitution. This constitution gives more power to the president. Peru is also a unitary republic, which means the central government has most of the power.

The Peruvian government has three main parts:

Legislature: This is the Congress of Peru. It has 130 members who make laws.
Executive: This includes the president and the Council of Ministers. The president is both the head of state and the head of government. The president appoints ministers who lead 18 government departments.
Judiciary: This is the Supreme Court of Peru and other courts. Their job is to interpret laws and make sure justice is served.

The president of Peru is elected for a five-year term and cannot be immediately re-elected. Citizens aged 18 to 70 must vote in elections.

The Congress of Peru, in Lima

People of Peru

Peru is the fourth most populated country in South America, with over 33 million people.

Peru is a multiethnic nation. This means its population is made up of many different groups of people who have come together over five centuries. Native Americans lived in Peru for thousands of years before the Spanish arrived in the 1500s.

In a 2017 census, people were asked about their ethnic background:

60.2% identified as mestizo (mixed heritage).
22.3% identified as Quechua.
5.9% identified as white.
3.6% identified as black.
2.4% identified as Aymara.
2.3% identified as other ethnic groups.
3.3% did not state their ethnicity.

Most of Peru's largest cities are on the coast, such as Lima, Trujillo, and Chiclayo. In the mountains, important cities include Arequipa, Cusco, and Huancayo. In the jungle, Iquitos is the biggest city.

Largest cities or towns in Peru National Institute of Statistics and Informatics - INEI (Estimated 2024)
Rank	Name	Pop.
1	Lima	10,213,900 (Metro pop.)
2	Arequipa	1,177,200 (Metro pop.)
3	Trujillo	1,048,800 (Metro pop.)
4	Chiclayo	615,700 (Metro pop.)
5	Piura	586,300
6	Huancayo	563,400
7	Cusco	490,900
8	Iquitos	458,300
9	Pucallpa	428,700
10	Chimbote	410,300

Peru's Economy

Peru has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Its main economic activities are mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and fishing. Other growing areas include telecommunications and biotechnology. Peru's main trading partners are the United States, China, Brazil, and Chile.

Mining in Peru

Peru is a major producer of many important minerals. In 2019, it was the second-largest producer of copper, silver, and zinc in the world. It was also the third-largest producer of lead, the fourth-largest producer of tin, and the fifth-largest producer of boron. Peru also produces gold and molybdenum, as well as natural gas and oil.

Agriculture in Peru

Peru's agriculture is very diverse. It is the world's largest producer of quinoa. It is also one of the top 5 producers of avocado, blueberry, artichoke, and asparagus. Peru is among the top 10 producers of coffee and cocoa, and among the top 15 producers of potato and pineapple. Other important crops include grapes, sugarcane, rice, bananas, maize, and cassava. In terms of livestock, Peru is one of the top 20 producers of chicken meat globally. In 2016, Peru was the world's largest supplier of fishmeal.

Peruvian Culture

Peruvian culture is a mix of native Amerindian and Spanish traditions. It has also been shaped by influences from Asian, African, and other European groups.

Peruvian art goes back to the ancient Pre-Inca cultures. These cultures created amazing pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculptures. The Incas continued these traditions and also built impressive structures like Machu Picchu. During the time of Spanish rule, most art was religious and in the Baroque style, but it also included native influences.

Visual Arts in Peru

Peruvian art began with the Andean civilizations that lived in Peru before the Spanish arrived. After the Spanish conquest, European art styles were added.

Ancient Art (Pre-Columbian)

A detail of the Raimondi Stela. This stone carving was found at the ancient site of Chavín de Huantar.

The earliest art in Peru came from the Cupisnique and Chavín cultures around 900 BCE. Their art was symbolic and religious. Artists used gold, silver, and ceramics to make sculptures and carvings. These cultures were also known for their buildings and wood carvings.

Later, the Paracas cultures (around 9th century BCE to 2nd century CE) created colorful pottery and complex textiles with geometric patterns.

The Moche culture (3rd century BCE) built impressive structures like the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna. They were skilled farmers who used terraces and irrigation. They also made unique pottery, textiles, and paintings.

The Wari civilization (8th to 12th centuries) developed advanced town planning. The Tiwanaku empire (9th to 13th centuries) introduced monumental stone architecture and sculpture. They used bronze to make their tools.

'Quipus' were recording devices made from strings used by ancient cultures in the Andes region.

The Chimú Culture (14th to 15th centuries) built the large city of Chan Chan. They were skilled goldsmiths and engineers.

The Inca Civilization took over Peru just before the Spanish arrived. They used many ideas from the cultures before them. You can still see their amazing artwork and buildings in cities like Cusco, and at sites like Sacsahuaman and Machu Picchu.

Colonial Art

The Virgin of the Pilgrims and Child, an 18th-century painting from the Cusco School.

After the Spanish arrived, Peruvian sculpture and painting were influenced by European styles, especially the Baroque style from Seville, Spain. The Cusco School was an important art center where Quechua artists learned European painting techniques. Famous artists from this school include Diego Quispe Tito and Marcos Zapata.

Art during this time often mixed European and native influences. Most art focused on religious themes.

Literature in Peru

Peruvian literature includes stories and writings from before the Spanish conquest, during the colonial period, and after Peru became independent. Before the Spanish arrived, many native groups like the Quechua and Aymara had rich oral traditions (stories passed down by speaking).

Mario Vargas Llosa

Inca Garcilaso de la Vega

Delicious Peruvian Cuisine

Ceviche is a popular lime marinated seafood dish which originated in Peru.

Peruvian food is a mix of native Amerindian and Spanish cooking. It also has strong influences from Chinese, African, Arab, Italian, and Japanese foods.

Some common Peruvian dishes are anticuchos (skewered meat), ceviche (marinated seafood), and pachamanca (food cooked in an earth oven). Peru's varied climate allows many different plants and animals to grow, which is great for cooking. Peruvian food is becoming famous around the world.

The four main traditional foods in Peru are corn, potatoes and other root vegetables, Amaranthaceaes (like quinoa), and legumes (like beans). The Spanish brought new foods like rice, wheat, and meats (beef, pork, and chicken).

Many traditional Peruvian foods, like quinoa and chili peppers, have become very popular again recently. This shows a renewed interest in native Peruvian ingredients and cooking styles.

Peruvian Music

Marinera Norteña

Peruvian music has roots in Andean, Spanish, and African traditions. Before the Spanish arrived, different regions had their own music styles. The quena (a type of flute) and the tinya (a drum) were common instruments.

The Spanish brought new instruments like the guitar and harp. This led to new instruments like the charango, which is a small stringed instrument. African influences brought new rhythms and the cajón, a box-shaped drum. Popular Peruvian folk dances include marinera, tondero, and huayno.

The charango is a very important instrument in Peruvian music. It was created during the time of Spanish rule, inspired by the Spanish vihuela. The charango was once seen as an instrument of the poor, but it became very popular after the 1959 revolution. Other instruments played in Peru include the Spanish guitar, bandurria, violins, and harps.

Images for kids

Remains of a Caral/Norte Chico pyramid in the arid Supe Valley
Moche earrings depicting warriors, made of turquoise and gold (1–800 CE)
Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena in Arequipa
Main façade of the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral and the Archbishop's palace, Lima
The Battle of Ayacucho was decisive in ensuring Peruvian independence.
The Battle of Angamos, during the War of the Pacific.
The signing of the Rio Protocol in January 1942.
Palacio de Gobierno, in Lima
A map of Peru's region and departments
The headquarters of the Andean Community is located in Lima
Peruvian marines in the VRAEM in 2019
Map of Köppen climate classification zones in Peru
Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru's national bird
Real GDP per capita development of Peru
Jorge Chávez International Airport, in Callao
Casa de Osambela, headquarters of the Academia Peruana de la Lengua (APL) in Lima
Quri Kancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, Cusco
National University of San Marcos, Lima
Saint Joseph and the Christ Child, Anonymous, Colonial Cusco Painting School, 17th–18th century