Peru at a Glance

Total Area:  1,285,220 square kilometers
Highest Point:  Nevado Huascaran  6,768 meters
Lowest Point:  Pacific Ocean
Capital City:  Lima
Independence Day:  July 28, 1821 (from Spain)
Government Type:  Constitutional Republic
Population:  27,544,305
Languages:  Spanish and Quechua are the official languages of Peru, however, there are a large number of unofficial Amazonian languages.
Currency:  Nuevo Sol
GDP (per capita):  $5,200
Industries:  Mining, petroleum, fishing, textiles and metal fabrication.
Climate: We spend our summer months in Peru because it is the beginning of their dry season.  As the rain y season ends in April, the rivers begin to subside to good, fun, runnable water levels.  Temperatures during this time can easily be in the 70’s and 80’s during the days and a bit cooler during the evenings.