Peru is the third biggest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina with a territory of 1,285,216 km2.
The population of Peru reached 28,220,764 in 2007 with an annual growth rate of 1.264%. 50.4 % are women and 72.3% live in urban zones.
The languages spoken are Spanish (80%), and Quechua, Aimara and other native tongues (20%)
Peru shares borders with Ecuador in the north, Colombia in the north-east, Brazil in the east, Bolivia in the south-east and Chile in the south.
Peru is a democratic country. It is a presidential republic with a State composed of three powers: the Executive, directed by the President of the Republic, elected for a five-year period; the Legislative, formed by only one house of representatives (120) elected for five years; and the Judiciary, constituted by the Supreme Court.
The people of Peru have an heritage of different civilisations, namely the Chavin culture, ( 1200 BC - 0) considered as the matrix of Peruvian cultures; Paracas (1000 BC – 0), Moche (100- 800AD), Chancay (1300 -1400 AD), Nasca (100 and 600 AD) , Pukara(250 BC -380 AD), Tiahuanaco (500 AD -900AD), Wari (500AD – 900AD, Chimu (Around 800 AD), Lambayeque or Sican Culture (700 AD – 1350) and lastly the Incas (1250 AD – 1533).
The Incas State, known as Tahuantisuyo, was one of the most important ancient civilisations in that part of the world. It is known for its social and political organisations and also its knowledge of architecture, astronomy, agriculture, etc. It established its capital in Cusco and from there conquered and controlled a large part of South America.
The destruction of the Tahuantisuyo by the Spanish conquest in the sixteen century brought down one of the great cultures of the ancient world and the end to the autochtonous development of the population which up to that time had not had any Occidental or Asian influence whatsoever. The period of the conquest lasted a few decades, during which insurgents were put down in very brutal ways. The last Inca, Tupac Amaru, was put to an end in 1572.
