Introduction to Peru - VoyageForum

Quick Overview

This is the traditional land of the Incas, giving rise to the most diverse country in all of Latin America, both in terms of landscapes and culture. Peru is made up of three distinct regions: the Costa, a narrow coastal desert where nearly 60% of the population lives; the Sierra, parallel to the coastline with its high plateaus and peaks, several of which exceed 6,000 m; and the Amazonian plains, which cover two-thirds of the country's territory.

Fishing, agriculture, tourism, and especially mining (copper, gold, lead, etc.) are the country's main sources of wealth, and in recent years, Peru has experienced one of the highest growth rates in the Americas. However, this has not prevented a quarter of Peruvians from still living below the poverty line.

Key Facts

Location: At the western edge of South America, on the Pacific coast.

Latitude/longitude: 10.00' S, 76.00' W.

Local time: Heure : 3608

Capital: Lima

Nature of the state: Constitutional republic.

Official languages: Spanish nationwide, with Quechua and Aymara spoken locally.

Currency: Nuevo sol.

Population: 31,331,228 inhabitants (2018).

Area: 1,285,216 km².

Density: 24 inhabitants/km².

Highest point: Nevado Huascarán (6,768 m).

Lowest point: Sea level.

Coastline: 2,414 km.

Driving: On the right.

Flag: [drapeau: Pérou]

Tourism

Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, the Andes in all their splendor, the Amazon rainforest, the Pacific coast—Peru boasts an impressive array of tourist attractions. It’s no surprise that the destination has long drawn visitors, and even more so in recent years thanks to a significant improvement in security, which had previously been a real concern. Currently, tourism is the country’s third-largest source of income (USD 4 billion in 2018), after fishing and mining, and employs 10% of Peruvians. Beyond cultural tourism, ecotourism, and adventure tourism, the country is now also opening up to "luxury" tourism by developing the necessary infrastructure and services.

In 2018, Peru welcomed 4.419 million visitors (twice as many as in 2010), primarily from Chile, the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and France (101,000 French visitors in 2018). The busiest tourist periods are from Christmas to January and from June to early August.

Travel Essentials

Destination: For beginner to somewhat experienced travelers.

By air: France-Lima round trip for 650/1,100 €.

Entry requirements: Passport.

Currency to bring: Euros.

Exchange rate:

Daily "backpacker" budget: 30 to 50 € per person.

Accommodation: Mid-range hotels and guesthouses.

Getting around: Mostly by bus.

Risks: Relatively low in terms of health, and moderate to (very locally) slightly higher in terms of security.

Best time for climate/crowds/prices: Roughly from late April to early October, though late June to mid-August can be a bit crowded.

Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .

Addresses in France

Tourist Office: c/o Bureau Commercial du Pérou, 28 rue de l'Amiral Hamelin. Tel.: +33 1 49 52 60 95. Informational meetings to prepare for a future trip are held on the last Thursday of every month, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, by prior reservation.

Latin America House: 217 Bd Saint-Germain, 75007 Paris. Tel.: +33 1 49 54 75 00.

Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec

Socio-Economic Statistics

"Quality of life": 89/188 (rank in 2018)

GDP per capita: USD 13,500 (2017)

Average monthly income: USD 490 (2012)

Inflation: +2.8% (2017)

"Official" unemployment: 6.9% (2018)

Population below the poverty line: 22.7% (2014)

Life expectancy: 74.2 years (2018)

Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -2.2 (2017)

Population growth: +0.94% (2018)

Literacy rate: 94.5% (2015)

Urban population: 77.9% (2018)

Press freedom: 88/180 (rank in 2018)

Political regime: Flawed democracy (59/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook