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Peru

Peru's rich and varied heritage includes the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco and the lost city of Machu Picchu. The country boasts spectacular scenery, including Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.

Peru is rich in copper, silver, lead, zinc, oil and gold. Despite this, Peru's progress has been held back by corruption and the failure of successive governments to deal with social and economic inequality.

In its recent past Peru has alternated between democracy and military dictatorship. Also, it is deeply divided politically and economically. A small elite of Spanish descent controls most of the wealth and political power, while indigenous Peruvians are largely excluded from both and make up many of the millions who live in poverty.
Because of these problems, foreign investors have often given Peru a wide berth. In addition, a preoccupation with political power struggles has meant that the economy and infrastructure have been neglected.

Former leader Alan Garcia won presidential elections in June 2006; his first term ended in 1990 with the economy in tatters; nationalist rival Ollanta Humala has a majority in Congress.

Peru has seen growth recently, but the lot of the rural poor is little improved.

Peru is divided in three distinct geographical regions: the Coast (La Costa), the Mountains (La Sierra), and the Jungle (La Selva). Each is unique providing a rich array of flora, fauna, and people groups.