Peru is a Pacific-coast South American country with the most enduring Andean cultures, the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, the desert Nazca Lines, and the source of the Amazon River.
Geography & landscape
Peru sits in South America, in the southern hemisphere of South America. With an area of approximately 1,285,216 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Lima, lies near coordinates -10°, -76°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of South America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South America region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Peru.
People & society
The population of Peru is around 34M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Peru recognises multiple official languages — Spanish, Quechua and Aymara — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Peru is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Lima, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Lima and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Peru shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Peru through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Lima, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +51, and clocks are set to the PET (UTC-5) time zone. ISO standards identify Peru as PE (alpha-2) and PER (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇵🇪, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Lima | — |
| Continent | South America | — |
| Sub-region | South America | — |
| Population | 34M | people |
| Area | 1,285,216 | km² |
| Currency | Peruvian Sol (PEN) | — |
| Calling code | +51 | international dialling |
| Time zone | PET (UTC-5) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | PE | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | PER | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -10 | degrees |
| Longitude | -76 | degrees |
Did you know?
Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel rediscovered in 1911, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
