Embedded Files
History
History
Peru's history is characterized by the rise and fall of powerful civilizations. One of the most notable civilizations was the Inca Empire which rose in the 12th century. The Inca Empire flourished in the Andes region from the 15th century until the Spanish conquest in 1532 (Inca, 2023). They were known for their sophisticated infrastructure, medicinal developments, agricultural systems, and roadways. Machu Picchu is one of their most famous landmarks, which is still in Peru.
In 1532, the Spanish defeated the Incas, beginning nearly 300 years of colonial rule (Inca, 2023). Peru became a major Spanish colony, with Lima as its metropolitan center. The Spanish exploited Peru’s natural resources, especially silver, while imposing their culture and religion on the indigenous people. They carried smallpox and influenza which killed most of the population (Inca, 2023). Then in 1821, Peru gained independence from Spain.
Since then, Peru has experienced political instability, economic challenges, and social change. However, it continues to preserve its indigenous history and has become a key player in South American politics.
Figure 1. Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca ruin in Peru.
Figure 2. A map of Peru including major cities and surrounding countries.
Geography
Geography
Peru is located in western South America. It borders Colombia to the northeast and Brazil to the east with lush tropical forests. Additionally, it borders Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and Ecuador to the northeast which runs across the Andes Mountain range. On the west, the coast of Peru runs 200 miles into the Pacific Ocean (Moore and Puglar-Vidal, 2024).
Capital City & Population
Peru's current population is 32.97 million people and is projected to surpass 40 million in 2048 (Peru Population 2024 (Live), 2024). The capital city, Lima, is the largest in Peru and is home to 1/4th of the total population of Peru (Lima - Transportation, Infrastructure, Traffic | Britannica, 2024). Lima is the country's metropolitan hub of history, recreation, and culture. The metropolitan area is heavily influenced by Roman Catholic culture through its festivals, architecture, and atmosphere. Additionally, industry has moved into the city, contributing to a rapid rise in employment opportunities for the wealthy.
However, the drastic difference between the wealthy and poorer areas of the country is obvious throughout the city. While some Peruvians enjoy the amenities of the city, others struggle to find employment and make their wages as street vendors. The differences in lifestyle have contributed to the difficulty in cooperation for making improvements to the city's infrastructure (Lima - Transportation, Infrastructure, Traffic | Britannica, 2024).
Figure 3. Lima, the capital of Peru and the country's largest city.
Language & Religion
Language & Religion
Peru's rich cultural history has contributed to the use of various languages and religions (Moore and Puglar-Vidal, 2024).
Official Languages:
Spanish (82.9%)
Quechua (13.6%)
Aymara (1.6%)
Other native languages (0.8%)
Figure 4. The official flag of Peru.
Primary Religions:
Roman Catholic (66.4%)
Protestant (22.4%)
Agnostic/atheist (6.8%)
Economy
For the past decade, Peru has had the fastest-growing economy in Latin America. Contributing to this is the abundance of valuable natural resources. It has the world’s biggest reserves of silver, and Latin America’s largest reserves of gold, lead, and zinc (General Overview of Peru, n.d.). Additionally, Peru is the world's second-largest cocaine producer which contributes to its economic success (“Peru,” 2024).
The geographical diversity of Peru is advantageous to its economic diversity. The Peruvian coast provides marine and agricultural resources. Major products include asparagus, blueberries, grapes, avocados, bananas, and paprika. On the eastern side of the country, the Amazon basin contains large oil and natural dgas reserves and abundant forestry resources (“Peru,” 2024).
Government
Peru's complicated political history has been marked by multiple military coups and constitutional changes. Today, the government of Peru operates as a presidential republic (“Peru,” 2024). The president is popularly elected to a five-year term, serving as chief of state and head of government. They can be reelected, but are prohibited from serving consecutive terms. The president oversees the Council of Ministers and the two vice presidents. Legislative power is given to the Congress of the Public who are elected to serve five-year terms (“Peru,” 2024).
Dina Boluarte is the current president of Peru, having formerly served as Pedro Castillo's first vice president. She was elected in December 2022 after the forced removal of Castillo from office. Boluarte is affiliated with the left-wing Free Peru party (Wallenfeldt, 2024).
Figure 5. An image of Dina Boluarte, current president of Peru.
Over the past two years, Peru has undergone the worst outbreak of violence in over two decades. The protests have been sparked by Congress' removal of President Pedro Castillo and his sentencing to 18 months of pre-trial detention on rebellion charges (What’s behind the Violence, Protests in Peru?, 2023). The protestors are demnading Bouarte's resignation, a new constitution, and Castillo's release. The protests have left at least 40 people dead and hundreds injured in additin to destruction of property (What’s behind the Violence, Protests in Peru?, 2023). Overall, the political violence in Peru has caused division among its citizens and politicians, heavility impacting infrastructure and economic growth.
Current Events
Figure 6. Peruvian protestors in front of the Palace of Justice in Lima after the impeachment of Castro.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse