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• Peru is a nation in South America, with the Pacific Ocean forming its western border. Peru shares land borders with five other South American countries: Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south.

  On June 5, 2009, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in the province of Bagua after a protest between indigenous peoples and authorities became violent. A reported 22 protesters and eight police officers died when authorities used force in an attempt to break up a roadblock on the 59th day of protests.CNN: 30 die as indigenous protesters, police clash in Peru

• Fast Facts

  1. Capital: Lima
  2. Government: Presidential Republic
  3. Population: Approximately 29 million
  4. Currency: Nuevo sol
  5. Official Language: Spanish
  6. Major cities: Cusco, Iquitos
  7. Highest Mountains: Huascarán at 22,205 ft.
  8. Attractions: Machu Picchu

• Brief History

  Prior to European contact, the area that is now Peru was the home to the ancient Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and later, the powerful indigenous Inca Civilization. The Inca ruled a large area of western South America which included parts of present-day Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. After the conquest of the Inca Empire by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in the early 16th century, Spain ruled the country as the Viceroyalty of Peru until 1821.

• Climate and Terrain

  Peru contains a wide diversity of ecological regions, ranging from the slim coastal plain along the Pacific, to the towering heights of the Andes, to the remote stretches of the Amazon Rainforest.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Bolivia | Brazil | Chile | Ecuador | Pacific Ocean | Amazon River | Inca Civilization | Spectacled Bear | Llama

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