Peru Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Peru?

Overview

Peru is on the West Coast of South America, south of the Equator, between 0 and 18 degrees south latitude and, 70 degrees and 81 degrees west longitude. With a population of about 27.94 million people, Peru is the fifth most populated country in Latin America.

The country has four distinct geographic areas: the narrow coastal desert region (about 25 to 40 miles wide), barren except for irrigated valleys; the Andean highlands or sierra, containing some of the world's highest mountains; the "ceja de montana" (eyebrow of the mountain), a long narrow strip of mountainous jungle on the eastern slope of the Andes; and the selva or rain forest area which covers over half the country, including the vast Amazon River Basin and the Madre de Dios River Basin.

The sierra, covering one-fourth of Peru, is an area of uneven population distribution, rich in mineral wealth. Many of its inhabitants live at elevations above 10,000 feet. The selva region is sparsely populated and only partially explored. The climate in the "ceja de montana" varies with the elevation from temperate to tropical.

Because Lima lies on an axis of instability in the Earth's crust, seismic activity is common. Light earthquakes called "temblores" occur but seldom cause damage. A strong earthquake occurred in Lima, Callao and environs on May 24, 1940, causing major damage with over 2,000 casualties. Serious earthquakes also occurred in Cuzco (1950), Arequipa (1958 and 1960), the Lima-Callao area (1966-74), and Chimbote and the Callejon de Huaylas (1970).

Between May 1998 and May 1999, 85 light earthquakes occurred and the strongest of these earthquakes were in Arequipa, Lima and Huancayo.

Geography - note

shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

Climate

Peru lies below the Equator, therefore, its seasons along the Pacific Coast, which includes Lima, are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer lasts from about mid-December through April in that region and is generally pleasant, with warm, sunny days and cool, comfortable nights. February is usually the warmest month, with an average temperature of 79 (F) and humidity of 83%. Temperatures rarely range above the mid-80s. Only two distinct seasons occur in the highlands/sierra: the rainy season from December to April and a dry period the rest of the year. Temperatures fluctuate considerably depending on the weather and altitude.

Winter along the coast lasts from May or June to November and the weather is chilly and damp. Sunny days in Lima's winter are rare, particularly in July, August and September. Rain is virtually unknown; however, a fine mist often falls and fog is common. The coolest, dampest months are July and August, with average temperatures about 60(F), rarely falling below the low 50s.

Peru Use of Natural Resources

Peru Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Natural Resources:

copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Natural Hazards:

earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (elev. 5,672 m), which last erupted in 2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane

Irrigated Land:

4,618 Square Miles
11,960 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

Environment - International Agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Peru Geography

Geographic Location	South America
Total Area	496,222 Square Miles 1,285,216 Square Kilometers
Land Area	494,206 Square Miles 1,279,996 Square Kilometers
Water Area	2,015 Square Miles 5,220 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	4,636 Miles 7,461 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	4,618 Square Miles 11,960 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline	1,500 Miles 2,414 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	10 00 S, 76 00 W
Terrain	western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Highest Point	6,768 Meters
Highest Point Location	Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Lowest Point Location	Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural Resources	copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Time Zone	UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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