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Profile of Peru

Population: 28,302,603
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a

large number of minor Amazonian languages
Capital: Lima

Brief History
Ancient Peru was the seat of several major Andean civilizations - the most notable being the Incas (whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533) In 1821 Peru gained independence and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. Following twelve years of military rule, democratic leadership was restored in 1980. Peru then experienced economic problems and violent unrest. President Alberto Fujimoro’s election in 1990 began a decade that saw a remarkable upturn in the economy and major developments in quelling violence. President Fujimoro’s ongoing authoritarian practices coupled with an economic slump in the late 1990s resulted in discontent with his regime and eventually led to him being overthrown in 2000.

Today
Alejandro Toledo was elected as government leader in the spring of 2001 – he was the first president of Native American origin to be democratically elected. Alan Garcia was re-elected (last elected in 1985) in 2006.

Ongoing Social Issues
Peru is a source country for women and children who are trafficked internally and sold into the sex industry and forced into domestic labour. The majority of victims are female and are moved internally from rural to urban areas, or from city to city, and drawn or forced into prostitution. Peruvians have also been trafficked for sexual exploitation to Spain, Japan, the United States, and Venezuela.

Peru - Angela Keane

Peru - Brigid MacCarthy