Peru

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14° 29′ S, 72° 44′ W

After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.

Its geography varies from the arid plains of the Pacific Coast to the peaks of the Andes Mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin.

Its main economic activities include agriculture, fishing, mining, and manufacturing of products such as textiles. Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions:

Amazonas, Ancash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martín, Tacna, Tumbes

The Peruvian population, estimated at 29.5 million, is multi-ethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages.

This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.