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Building Better Lives Together

Peru

Peru is a country in South America that's home to a section of Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains. The region around Machu Picchu, including the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and colonial city of Cusco, is rich in archaeological sites. On Peru’s arid Pacific coast is Lima, the capital, with a preserved colonial center and important collections of pre-Columbian art.

No Trips Planned for Peru

Angkor Wat
Another home built in Peru

Country Profile

Population 33.72 million (2021)
Border Countries Ecuador and Colombia to the north, with Chile to the south and with Brazil and Bolivia to the east
Capital City Lima
Currency sol (S/)
Language Around 84% of Peruvians speak Spanish, the official national language
Religion Catholic 69.4%, Evangelical 17%, Other Christian 2.7%
Type of Government presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system
% living in poverty 33.7% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2021
Life Expectancy Male: 70.12 years and Female: 74.75 years
Infectious Diseases diphtheria (2020), measles (2018–2019), and varicella (endemic)
Top Killers Covid 19, Influenza, pneumonia and Ischemic heart disease was the second major cause of death (2020)
Literacy Adult literacy rate (% ages 15 and older) 99.26% (2021)
Natural Resources Gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, and iron are found across the country, and there are reserves of oil and natural gas.
Agriculture Avocado, blueberries, artichokes, and asparagus, coffee and cocoa
Industry Peru is among the global leaders in the production of lead, copper, gold, and zinc, Fishing and Tourism
Exports Copper, gold, zinc, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, manufactures, machinery, services and fish meal

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Photos of Previous Volunteerbuild Trips to Peru
National Flag of Peru
The citadel of Machu Picchu
A new volunteerbuild home in Peru