Location
Western South America.
Area
1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles).
Population
29.2 million (2008).
Population Density
22 per sq km.
Capital
Lima.
Population: 8.5 million (2007).
Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.
Language
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in the Lake Titicaca area. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.
Religion
81% Roman Catholic, 2.7% other
denominations, 16.3% unspecified or none.
Time
GMT - 5.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.)
Head of State
President Alan Garcia since 2006.
Recent History
Alejandro Toledo (in office from 2001 to 2006) was Peru's first indigenous president, but this did not stop his time in government being characterized by street protests, a string of scandals and plummeting popularity. Ex-president Alan Garcia then won the 2006 presidential elections, beating nationalist rival Ollanta Humala, who had received support from Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales. Garcia previously served as president from 1985-1990, but left the country's economy in tatters.
Telephone
Country code: 51. Telephone cards are available in the main cities from stands and supermarkets.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Mobile phones can be rented in Lima and the main cities. Coverage is sporadic.
Internet
Public Internet booths and Internet cafes are widely available in cities and most towns. Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly common in cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Media
Privately-run broadcasters and newspapers dominate the Peruvian media scene, with the state-run media having relatively small audiences. The airwaves of Lima are home to dozens of radio stations and several TV services. Many radio stations and regional newspapers are available in the provinces.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima. First-class airmail from Europe or North America addressed to PO boxes in Peru usually takes only a few days, but may be subject to delay. The main post office (Correo Central de Lima) is near the Plaza de Armas.
Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000; Sat 0900-1330.
Press
. Morning dailies include El Comercio and La República.
Radio
. Radio Programas de Peru (RPP) is a popular Lima-based news and talk station.
. Radio Panamericana and Radio America are commercial FM stations based in Lima.
. News and music radio station Radio Nacional is state run.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Apr Maundy Thursday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
29 Jun St Peter's and St Paul's Day.
28-29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations.
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day.
8 Oct Angamos Battle.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
1 Apr Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
29 Jun St Peter's and St Paul's Day.
28-29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations.
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day.
8 Oct Angamos Battle.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
1 Jan New Year's Day.
1 Apr Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
29 Jun St Peter's and St Paul's Day.
28 Jul
29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations.
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day.
8 Oct Angamos Battle.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Apr Maundy Thursday.
22 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
29 Jun St Peter's and St Paul's Day.
28 Jul
29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations.
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day.
8 Oct Angamos Battle.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Contact Information:
PromPerú (Commission for the Promotion of Peru)
Calle 1 Oeste No 50, Piso 13, Edificio Mincetur, Lima, Peru
Tel: (01) 224 3131 or 574 8000.
Embassy of the Republic of Peru in the UK
52 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 1917 or 2545.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Consular section: Tel: (020) 7838 9223.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 (general enquiries); 1500-1630 (collection point only).
Embassy of the Republic of Peru in the USA
1700 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 833 9860.
South American Explorers
126 Indian Creek Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Tel: 1 800 274 0568.
135 Calle Piura, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Tel: (01) 445 3306.
188 Choquechaka, San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Tel: (84) 245 484.
Related Links:
Peru Travel
Machu Picchu Vacations
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