History of Modern Latin America

History of Latin America - Peru

The Republic of Peru is a land of contrasts: high mountains, dense jungles, and barren deserts are all found in close proximity. The country is the third largest in South America and is one of the major nations bordering on the South Pacific Ocean. Peru has great natural wealth particularly from its mineral resources but a rapidly expanding population and serious economic problems have hindered development.
The Andes, the mountain system that forms Peru's backbone, were the home of advanced Indian civilizations centuries before Europeans arrived. Museums around the world display textiles, pottery, and other artifacts from these pre-Columbian cultures. In the Andes of southern Peru there are many archaeological sites, the remains of the great Inca empire. Tourists marvel at such places as Machu Picchu, a deserted mountaintop village that was discovered in 1911, and Cuzco, once the Inca capital city (see Incas).
A small Spanish army led by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca king and seized his empire in 1532 (see Pizarro). For more than two centuries Peru was the richest and most powerful of the Spanish viceroyalties in the New World. In Lima, Cuzco, and other cities, fine old churches and public buildings are reminders of the colonial period.
Peru's history since it became independent of Spain in 1821 has been a story with few bright spots. Economic progress toward modernization and industrialization has been slow. In the past Peruvians lacked the wealth and technical skills they needed to develop their resources. Foreign money, skills, and ideas have therefore played a large role in the construction of modern facilities.

Official Name. Republic of Peru.
Capital. Lima.
NATURAL FEATURES
Mountain Range. Andes.
Highest Peak. Huascaran, 22,205 feet (6,768 meters).
Major Rivers. Amazon, Maranon, Ucayali, Yavari.
Largest Lake. Titicaca.
PEOPLE
Population (1992 estimate). 22,454,000; 45.2 persons per square mile (17.5 persons per square kilometer); 71.3 percent urban, 28.7 percent rural.
Major Cities (1990 estimate). Lima (6,115,700), Arequipa (621,700), Callao (572,300), Trujillo (532,000), Chiclayo (419,600).
Major Religion. Roman Catholicism.
Major Languages. Spanish and Quechua (both official).
Literacy. 87.0 percent.
Leading Universities. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, National University of Engineering, National University 'Federico Villarreal', University of Lima, National University of San Marcos, Ricardo Palma University, all in Lima; National University of San Agustin, Arequipa; National University of San Antonio Abad, Cuzco.
GOVERNMENT
Form of Government. Republic.
Head of State and Government. President.
Legislature. Congress with 120 members, elected by popular vote; five-year terms.
Voting Qualification. Age 18.
Political Divisions. 24 departments and 1 constitutional province.
ECONOMY
Chief Agricultural Products. Crops potatoes, quinoa, corn (maize), wheat, barley, alfalfa, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, coca. Livestock and fish sheep, cattle, pigs, tuna, swordfish, shrimps.
Chief Mined Products. Copper, lead, zinc, silver, iron, antimony, manganese, coal, phosphorus.
Chief Manufactured Products. Steel, paints, plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, automobiles, trucks, buses.
Chief Exports. Copper, silver, iron, lead, zinc, cotton, sugar, coffee, woolen products, fish and fish products.
Chief Imports. Automobiles, electronic equipment, processed foods, wines and liquors, machinery, grains, meats, chemicals, textiles.
Monetary Unit. 1 nuevo sol = 100 centimos.

This article was contributed by James S. Kus, Professor and Chairman, Department of Geography, California State University, Fresno.