Basic Information About Peru:

Population: The population of Peru is 31,950,325.

GDP:  $ 371.3 billion (2016)

Climate:  The Peruvian winter (May – September) is the driest season and therefore the best time of year to travel, especially if you are planning to visit the Cusco area or trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The summer (December – March) is the wettest season, with frequent heavy showers. 

People: 59,5% self-identified as Mestizos, 22.7% as Quechuas, 2.7% as Aymaras, 1.8% as Amazonians (Yanesha people), 1.6% as Black/Mulatto, 4.9% as White and 6.7% as Others (Chinese, Japanese, others).

Religion:  The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, but there is a scattering of other Christian faiths. Indigenous Peruvians, however, have blended Catholicism and their traditional beliefs.

Capital: Lima is the capital of Peru. 

Language: Spanish is the most common language in Peru, but indigenous tongues such as Quechua and Aymara are still spoken in parts of the country.

Currency: The Peruvian Sol is the currency of Peru.

Time Zone: UTC-05:00