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             PERU
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Peru is located just south of
the Equator, on the Pacific
coast of South America. The
country has three distinct
regions from west to east: the
desert coast, the wet and cool
high sierra of the Andes, and
the hot and humid tropical
jungle of the Amazon Basin.
Most large-scale agriculture
is in the oases and fertile,
irrigated river valleys that
cut across the coastal desert.
Sugar and cotton are the main
exports. The fishing industry
was once the largest in the
world, but recently the shoals
have become depleted. Peru's
main source of wealth is oil,
but present reserves are
nearing exhaustion.
Peru has temperate to tropical
weather all year round. In the
Andes, the rainy season is
from December to March and it
can be chilly all year round.
The peak tourist season is
July and August with a
slightly smaller rise in
visitors during December and
January.

Area (Sq. Km.): 1,277,440

Population: 22,330,000

Capital: Lima

Language:
Spanish
Quechua

Religion:
Roman Catholic 90%

Government Type:
Constitutional Republic

Currency: Sole

Embassy:
52 Sloane Street,
London,
SW1X 9SP
0171-235-1917

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Foreign Office Advice:

Travellers should be alert to
crime and terrorist violence.
Parts of the interior are
highly dangerous, bombings and
shootings occur from time to
time in Lima.

The coastal strip and the
cities of Iquitos, Cajamarca
and Arequipa are relatively
safe.

Street crime in Cusco and
other tourist centres has
increased. Visitors should
carry passports and travel in
groups and not go by road
outside major cities after
dark.

Detailed advice is available
from the British Embassy in
Lima (Tel: 334738/334839).

For more information ring:

 Foreign Office Travel Unit

       0171-270-4129