Population: 27,483,864 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Background: After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. In recent years, bold reform programs and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity and drug trafficking have resulted in solid economic growth.

Currency: nuevo sol (PEN, PEN (2.70 = US$1))

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.