South American country, presidential representative democratic republic, crossed by the Andes, the birthplace of the Amazon and Lake Titicaca. 

Location: In the central and western part of South America and, along the Pacific Ocean, bordering Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile.
Altitude: From sea level up to 6,768 masl (Nevado Huascaran).
Joined: XII Millennium A.C. (Caral Civilization).
Independence: From Spain 28 July 1.821
Population: 28'220, 764 (2.007) Multiethnic and Mestiza.
Area: 1,285,215 km2 (Excluding possession in Antarctica)
Languages: Castilian and official Quechua (80 and 17%), other foreign native (3.00%)

History:

Oldest archaeological remains attributed to human presence in Peru belong to the twelfth millennium BC, long after the first humans, hunters and gatherers from Siberia (Asia), cross the Bering Strait. This Paccaicasa remains based in the cave of Piquimachay (Ayacucho).

There is evidence of the origin of American agriculture in the Cave Guitarrero (Yungay) from 12,000 years ago (10,600 BC). At the beginning of the third millennium BC were established the first city-state of theocracy. The civilization of Caral, the oldest in the Americas, on a par with others such as China, Egypt, India and Mesopotamia, having already become that time in a city state. Subsequent to this, and approximately to 327 BC C was built Chavin de Huantar, which prevailed among others, which led to the development of larger states in the basis of new cultures: Moche, Lima, Nazca, Wari and Tiwanaku or Tiahuanaco that expanded to the eighth century, thereafter, imperial states are erecting new regional scope along the Andes and Chimu, with greater development of territorial states. Of these domains highlights of the Incas, which was annexed by the fifteenth century all Andean towns between the rivers and Ancasmayo Maule, reaching an area of 3 million km2, (present territory of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile), forming what is now known as the Inca Empire, Cusco was the capital. Besides its military power, highlighted in architecture, building magnificent structures such as Machu Picchu or Choquequirao, Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Ollantaytambo and cities like Cuzco and Cajamarca, are only some legacies of the empire.

Period Virreynal

In the mid-sixteenth century the Spanish led by Francisco Pizarro and the support of some peoples ruled by the Inca Empire conquered the Great Tahuantinsuyo. In 1.542, we established the Viceroyalty of Peru, which spanned from the start what is now Panama to the southern tip of the continent. The Spanish empire meant for Peru a profound social and economic transformation. Mercantilist system was implemented, supported by mining gold and silver trading monopoly and exploitation of Indian labor under a form of mite.

In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the colonial power was slowly undermined by commercial smuggling and the separatist insurgency, primarily indigenous (such as Tupac Amaru II) and later also Creole. Being strongly repressed and colonial rule that lasted more than 03 centuries.

Independence

On 28 July 1.821, the independence movement led by the Argentine José de San Martín, from Chile, declared independence and established a new state: the Republic of Peru whose name entered tacitly Declaration of Independence of this country. However, only 1.824 in the Venezuelan General Simon Bolivar finally succeeded in expelling the royalist troops settled in the southern mountains after the battles of Junín and Ayacucho, 06 August and 09 December 1.824 respectively.

Republic

The beginnings of the Republic, took place between organized by the military struggles to attain the Presidency of the Republic. In this context, between 1.836 and 1.839, formed the Peru-Bolivian Confederation was dissolved following the defeat of Yungay. The battles between warlords continued until the first constitutional government of Marshal Ramón Castilla, who was able to restructure and manage the state through the economic boom generated by the export of guano of the offshore islands.

In 1865, there was a clash with Spain, ending with the Battle of the 02nd of May in El Callao and since it had to retreat and leave South America.

War with Chile

In 1.879, Chile declared war on Peru, speaking on a tax problem between Bolivia and Chile because of a treaty of defensive alliance Peru-Bolivia. This declaration of war, became what is now known as the Pacific War and that developed between 1.879 and 1.883. Finishing with the Ancon Treaty that ended the war with the loss of territory of Tarapaca, Arica and Tacna (the latter recovering at 1.929).

Geography:

The Andes is parallel to Pacific Ocean, dividing the country into three geographic regions: Coast, is a narrow plain to the west totally barren (except for the valleys formed by seasonal rivers). Sierra is the region of the Andes, including the Andean Altiplano plateau and the country's highest peak, the Huascaran, with 6768 m. The third region is the jungle, wide expanse of flat land covered by the Amazonian forest to the east (60% of land area).

Most Peruvian rivers originate in the Andes and drain into one of three existing basins. The flowing into the Pacific Ocean are short, hilly course and seasonal arrangements. The tributaries of the Amazon River are longer, more flowing and your course has a lower slope after leaving the mountains. The rivers that flow into Lake Titicaca are generally short and have great flow. The Peru's longest rivers are the Ucayali, the Marañón, the Putumayo, the Huallaga, the Urubamba, the Mantaro and Amazon.

Climate:

Despite the equator, not only presents a tropical climate, the influence of the Andes and the Humboldt current grant a diverse climate in Peru. The coast with moderate temperatures, low rainfall and high humidity (except for the warm and rainy north). Frequent rains in the mountains in the summer, while temperature and humidity decrease with height to reach the icy peaks of the Andes. The forest is characterized by heavy rain and high temperatures (except for its southernmost region, which has cold winters and seasonal rainfall).

Administrative Division:
Peru is divided into 25 regions and these in turn into provinces and districts.

Economy:
Peru is a developing country, its population is poor, while 13.7% is extremely poor. However, according to America Economia and International Monetary Fund, Peru is in 2008 with the second lowest inflation rate in the world after France and therefore one of the strongest economies in the region.

According to previous reports, the Swiss business school IMD, Peru in 2008 is in 35th place world ranking of competitiveness.

In 2008, the Peruvian economy is considered to have a remarkable level of growth compared to the other economies in the world, comparable only to China. This year, the country grew by 9.84% compared to 2007, after 10 years of continuous growth.

In April 2008, the increase in GDP of this country stood at 13.25%, the highest since 1995. Similarly, the poverty rate fell from 49% in 2006 to 39.30% in that month.

Exports and GDP:

According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, in 2004, exports from this country grew by 36.9%, about 4.068 different products marketed. In 2005 exports reached 17.350 million, an increase of 33.7% compared to 2004. It is estimated that 55% of exports correspond to the mining industry: copper, gold and zinc, as well as textiles and fishery products, its main trading partners are the United States, China, Brazil and Chile. [The main destinations were the United States with 30 , 4% and China with 10.9% of exports.

In 2005 the Peruvian economy expanded by 6.67% (official figures INEI) and 2.006 for the GDP grew by 8.03%, reaching U $ S 177.3 billion (U $ S 6.750 per capita PPP). Peru has now successfully concluded a free trade with the United States which has raised expectations of growth.
The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita will be 48% to 2.011 for the unusual dynamic that presents the Peruvian economy.

Production Rankings

Despite not being properly exploited, Peru is located in agribusiness, as the world's leading producer of: fishmeal, asparagus and paprika, second largest producer of artichokes, sixth largest producer of coffee in mining is second largest producer of silver, fourth world producer of copper, zinc and lead, fifth largest producer of gold, besides having large deposits of iron, tin, manganese, plus oil and gas. He is also the world's largest producer of alpaca wool, and the largest exporter of cotton textiles in Latin America and its natural wealth in an excellent location for the development of polymer industry worldwide. Peru in the concert of the new global economy with the creation of economically richest area in 2007 the Asia-Pacific area will be a reversal of economic growth with comparative advantage in Peru will be a growth pole for attracting investment strengthen and enhance its rising middle class and thus raising their level of income per capita of the population. Peru is in a period of economic growth is expected in the light of agreements and treaties signed in free trade areas, constitutes one of the most attractive South American countries to develop businesses.

Marine resources
The exploitation of marine resources: anchovy for fishmeal, of which Peru is the world's largest producer. Much of the produce is intended for the domestic market, especially in coastal areas.

Gas
After more than 20 years have been discovered, the natural gas fields located in Camisea (Cuzco Region) began to be exploited and their production is now destined mainly for domestic consumption and the Peruvian highlands and the excess will be sold abroad . The Camisea gas has arrived in Lima in August 2004. The gas production operation, along with mining are the sectors with greater potential for quality investment and wealth of resources.

Currency: Official currency is the Nuevo Sol (U.S. $ 1.00 = S /. 2.87 / / EUR 1.00 = S /. 4.10)
The Peruvian currency has been revaluing since the beginning of the new millennium (US$ 1.00 in September 2,002= S/.3.64 , July 2004= S/.3.36, Diciembre 2, 006 = S/.3.25, May 2,007= S/.3.15 and Sep. 2.007 = 3.08). For March 2.009 = S/. 3.01 and October 2,009 dollar equivalent of  2.87 nuevos soles.

Religion: Catholic (81.3%) and Protestant (12.5%) Other (3.3%)

Cuisine of Peru:
It is considered one of the most varied and original world, has the Guinness record for the greatest variety and diversity of typical dishes in the world (491). This thanks to the Columbian legacy (pre-Inca and Inca), Amazon cuisine, Spanish, African, French, Chinese-Cantonese, Japanese and Italian. Subsequently, it compiles a variety of mixtures, together with the Creole cuisine in a four continents in a single country. In the Peruvian coast, there are over two thousand different soups and the country has more than 250 traditional desserts. Among the culinary styles of Peru include Creole cuisine (northern and Lima), the gastronomy, cooking Andes, the Amazon Chifa and kitchen. Perhaps the most representative dishes are the ceviche of Peru (or ceviche) on the coast, the "barbecue" in the Sierra and the "John" in the jungle.

In the field of beverage, the Pisco Sour is the flagship drink prepared on the basis of pisco, a liquor native to Peru. The "Chicha de Jora" pre-Columbian ceremonial drink is made from corn. Also in the jungle is prepared masato, liquor of Indian origin, made from fermented cassava. The Inca Kola, national origin, is the best selling soft drink in this country.

According to French newspaper Le Monde, the country's gastronomy occupies a prominent place in the world, becoming considered one of the three great cuisines of the world, alongside China, France and India.

In recent years, Peruvian cuisine has begun to expand beyond their borders. At the Fourth International Summit of Gastronomy Madrid Fusion 2006, the city of Lima has been declared gastronomic capital of Latin America.

Tourist Circuits for Visit:

Peru has a myriad of places and tour operators in recent years been gaining ground for the world new routes as alternatives to the famous and known worldwide: Cusco-Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Titicaca Lake-Highland , Callejon de Huaylas-Nevado Huascaran or Amazon. Today, the country offers better circuit routes to Visit Peru:


North Coast Region:
1 .- Mancora Cabo Blanco and Punta Sal (Northern Beaches).
2 .- Lord of Sipan - Valley of the Pyramids.
3 .- Colonial Trujillo and Chan Chan. 

Central Coast Region:
1 .- Lima Pre-Inca Ruins, Ciudad Colonial, Republican and Modern.
2 .- Oxapampa-Yanachaga Nature Reserve and Posuzo German Colony.
3 .- Tarma, Mantaro Valley and city of Huancayo.
4 .- Blow city of Huanuco and Pre-Incas. 

South Coast Region:
1 .- National Reserve and other cultures Paracas - Ballestas Islands, Pisco.
2 .- Laguna & Sandboarding in Huacachina - Nazca Lines.
3 .- Beaches of Puerto Inka - Moquegua and Tacna.

Sierra Region - Andean
1 .- Cusco - Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas
2 .- Arequipa - Colca Canyon - Canyon River Rafting & Cotahuasi Majes.
3 .- and Islands of Lake Titicaca - Puno city and Highland Railway.
4 .- Callejon de Huaylas - Nevado Huascaran - Chavin de Huantar Citadel.
5 .- Cordillera Blanca * Gaps and Nevados.
6 .- citadel of Choquequirao.
7 .- City of Churches: Ayacucho and Vilcashuamán.
8 .- Fortress Kuelap - Chachapoyas Gocta Waterfall.
9 .- City of Cajamarca and Inka Culture Remains. 

East Region - Amazon:
1 .- Manu Nature Reserve in the south.
2 .- Tambopata Nature Reserve and Puerto Maldonadoa Candamo south.
3 .- Pacaya-Samiria and Amazon River to the north.
4 .- Tarapoto - Waterfalls - Moyabamba Blue Lagoon and the north. 

  

Regions: 
Regionalization in Peru was tried twice, the second process which is in effect.

First regionalization initiative, The urgency of this process and the resulting boundary problems originated problems stalled the initiative.

With the coup from 05 of April 1992, President Alberto Fujimori announced the abolition of the regions, held on December 29 that year, creating 24 Tips Transient Regional Administration (CTAR), institutions that function was transferred from regional governments were given by jurisdiction the territory of the departments.

Regionalization second initiative, in 2002, during the government of Alejandro Toledo, took the Decentralization Bases Law to initiate a new process of regionalization. By this, it ordered the removal of CTAR in January 2003 after the election of officers for the formation of regional governments, which in turn would be responsible for leading the creation of new regions. The GR then formed were 25.

1. Regional Government of Amazonas
2. Regional Government of Ancash
3. Regional Government of Apurimac
4. Regional Government of Arequipa
5. Ayacucho Regional Government
6. Regional Government of Cajamarca
7. Callao Region
8. Regional Government of Cusco
9. Gobierno Regional de Huancavelica
10. Regional Government of Huanuco
11. Regional Government of Ica
12. Regional Government of Junin
13. Regional Government of La Libertad
14. Regional Government of Lambayeque
15. Lima Regional Government Provinces
16. Regional Government of Loreto
17. Regional Government of Madre de Dios
18. Regional Government of Moquegua
19. Pasco Regional Government
20. Regional Government of Piura
21. Puno regional government
22. Regional Government of San Martin
23. Regional Government of Tacna
24. Regional Government of Tumbes 
25. Regional Government of Ucayali.