A llama in Lima
The Nazca Lines
ABOUT PERU
When people think Peru, they think Inca ruins, the mighty Andes, the lush jungles - but also Shining Path guerrillas, military juntas and hard drug barons.
Thankfully, the activities of Shining Path and their chums have receded in the last few years. There has been recent political unease - President Alberto Fujimori was thrown out of office in 2001 after massive corruption was exposed - but relative democratic stability now prevails, under the leadership of Alejandro Toledo.
How do ordinary people fare in Peru in 2004? The economy grew by 4.4% throughout the last decade, with rates of infant mortality decreasing and life expectancy increasing. However, statistics still suggest that around 50% of people live below the poverty line, rising to 70% in rural areas, impacting disproportionately on indigenous communities. Since the economy relies heavily on primary industries - especially cotton, coffee and sugar - ordinary producers have been vulnerable to sudden shifts in global markets, falling commodity prices and exceptional weather events, such as the infamous El Niño.
An ongoing research project called Young Lives is looking at kids' lives in various countries, including Peru, where 40% of the population is under 15. Statistics quoted on their website give an idea of the particular problems the young population of Peru faces. For example, 25% of under 5s are moderately or severely stunted due to poor nourishment. Although school enrollment is close to 100%, and the literacy rate is 92%, the standard of public education is low, especially for the poorest in society, comparing unfavourably to other Latin American nations; far too many children fail to complete their secondary education. Save The Children cites exploitative child labour as a real difficulty and also the hidden taboo of HIV / AIDS.
Peru At A Glance
Population: 26.1 million (2001) - of which 73% are in urban areas
Indigenous groups: Quechua and Aymara - 3 million, in Andes regions; Amazonian (40 - 50 different ethnic groups) - 250,000
Languages: Spanish and Quechua (around 2 million of the indigenous population speak no Spanish at all)
Literacy: 92%
Infant mortality: 37 per 1000 live births (ie nearly 4% of children die when they're young)
Famous Peruvians: Acclaimed novelist Mario Vargas Llosa; Premiership footballer Nolberto "Nobby" Solano; Paddington Bear - who ended up in London all the way from "Darkest Peru"!
© Ben James 2004