01
Physical geography
Western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva).
Local timeLima ·
South America · Card 011
Peru
Peru is a country in South America. Its capital is Lima.
Find Peru
● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
At a glance
- Capital
- Lima
- Languages
- Spanish, Quechua, Aymara & other Indigenous languages
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (PEN)
- Population
- 34.6 million2025 · World Bank
- Area
- 1,285,216 km²496,224.47 square miles
- Independence
- 1821Independence was proclaimed in 1821; major military victories followed in 1824.
Peru in context
South America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Lima; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapGeography & languages
02
Languages
Spanish is official nationwide. Quechua, Aymara and other Indigenous languages are also official where they predominate.
03
Location
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador.
Flag
Three equal vertical bands of red (left side), white, and red, with the coat of arms centered on the white band; the coat of arms has a shield with a vicuna, a cinchona tree, and a yellow cornucopia spilling out coins
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Peruvian Congress · 2026 bicameral transition · Peruvian Congress · Senate and Chamber of Deputies
History & independence
Peru was home to many ancient civilizations and later the centre of the Inca Empire. Spanish conquest established colonial rule in the sixteenth century. José de San Martín proclaimed independence in 1821, but major fighting continued until the victories at Junín and Ayacucho in 1824. Civilian rule returned in 1980 after military government. Later decades brought armed conflict, authoritarian rule and recurrent political crises alongside democratic elections.
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Independence is proclaimed
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The battles of Junín and Ayacucho secure major independence victories
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Civilian government returns
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Congress returns to a two-chamber structure
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Peruvian Congress · 2026 bicameral transition · Peruvian Congress · Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Economy
Main activities
Mining is a major source of exports, particularly copper and gold. Agriculture, fishing, food processing, textiles and tourism also contribute. Coastal farms export fruit and vegetables, while the Pacific fishing industry supplies fishmeal and other products. A large informal sector and unequal access to infrastructure shape employment and living conditions.
Industry and production
Copper and gold mining, fishmeal and seafood, agricultural processing, textiles and tourism services.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Peruvian Congress · 2026 bicameral transition · Peruvian Congress · Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Population & economic trends
Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.
Population, 1970–2025
Millions of people34.62025 · millions of people
Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.
Sources: World Bank · Population
View data table
| Year | People | Millions of people |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 13,501,237 | 13.501 |
| 1980 | 17,360,949 | 17.361 |
| 1990 | 22,014,771 | 22.015 |
| 2000 | 26,598,331 | 26.598 |
| 2010 | 29,086,019 | 29.086 |
| 2020 | 32,838,579 | 32.839 |
| 2025 | 34,576,665 | 34.577 |
Real GDP, 1990–2025
Billions of constant 2015 US dollars238.32025 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars
Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.
Sources: World Bank · Real GDP
View data table
| Year | Constant 2015 US$ | Billions of constant 2015 US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 59,592,279,647 | 59.592 |
| 1991 | 60,914,786,738 | 60.915 |
| 1992 | 60,585,536,757 | 60.586 |
| 1993 | 63,762,386,033 | 63.762 |
| 1994 | 71,610,493,994 | 71.610 |
| 1995 | 76,917,830,599 | 76.918 |
| 1996 | 79,070,739,970 | 79.071 |
| 1997 | 84,192,012,967 | 84.192 |
| 1998 | 83,862,369,617 | 83.862 |
| 1999 | 85,116,037,106 | 85.116 |
| 2000 | 87,409,379,265 | 87.409 |
| 2001 | 87,949,475,111 | 87.949 |
| 2002 | 92,745,825,187 | 92.746 |
| 2003 | 96,608,710,265 | 96.609 |
| 2004 | 101,398,766,434 | 101.399 |
| 2005 | 107,771,740,074 | 107.772 |
| 2006 | 115,885,765,582 | 115.886 |
| 2007 | 125,757,364,463 | 125.757 |
| 2008 | 137,234,696,225 | 137.235 |
| 2009 | 138,738,546,495 | 138.739 |
| 2010 | 150,298,879,148 | 150.299 |
| 2011 | 159,808,578,409 | 159.809 |
| 2012 | 169,620,385,179 | 169.620 |
| 2013 | 179,547,449,111 | 179.547 |
| 2014 | 183,824,551,906 | 183.825 |
| 2015 | 189,802,976,286 | 189.803 |
| 2016 | 197,306,492,869 | 197.306 |
| 2017 | 202,276,318,742 | 202.276 |
| 2018 | 210,305,376,513 | 210.305 |
| 2019 | 215,017,545,590 | 215.018 |
| 2020 | 191,509,018,300 | 191.509 |
| 2021 | 217,203,104,601 | 217.203 |
| 2022 | 223,324,321,983 | 223.324 |
| 2023 | 222,541,124,001 | 222.541 |
| 2024 | 230,364,056,336 | 230.364 |
| 2025 | 238,266,842,609 | 238.267 |
Human development
The Human Development Index combines health, education and income. Scores range from 0 to 1.
HDI · 20230.794High human developmentRank 79 of 193 · 2025 report
Human Development Index over time
19900.625
20000.682
20100.731
20200.769
20230.794
77.7 yearsLife expectancy at birth
10.2 yearsMean schooling, adults aged 25+
The latest values refer to 2023. All historical scores use the same report edition. HDI does not describe every aspect of inequality or quality of life.
Sources: UNDP · Human Development Report 2025
Government
A presidential republic with an elected President and a Council of Ministers. Congress returned to a bicameral structure in July 2026, with a Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Regional and municipal governments have elected authorities.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Peruvian Congress · 2026 bicameral transition · Peruvian Congress · Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Knowledge check
Three questions about Peru.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
In which year did this event occur in Peru: The battles of Junín and Ayacucho secure major independence victories?
Sources & notes
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Peruvian Congress · 2026 bicameral transition · Peruvian Congress · Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.