Peru, (Spanish:, or Republic of Peru, a country on the west coast of South America. It fronts on the Pacific Ocean and is bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. Peru has an area of 496,224 square miles (1,285,216 km2), roughly twice that of Texas. It is the third largest country in South America; only Brazil and Argentina are larger. Maximum dimensions are about 1,100 miles (1,770 km) north-south and 800 miles (1,290 km) east-west.

Facts in brief about Peru
Capital: Lima.
Official languages: Spanish and Quechua.
Official name: República del Perú (Republic of Peru).
Area: 496,225 mi2 (1,285,216 km2). Greatest distances—north-south, 1,225 mi (1,971 km); east-west, 875 mi (1,408 km). Coastline—1,448 mi (2,330 km).
Elevation: Highest—Huascarán, 22,205 ft (6,768 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level along the coast.
Population: Current estimate—29,180,000; density, 59 per mi2 (23 per km2); distribution, 73 percent urban, 27 percent rural. 2005 census—27,219,264.
Chief products: Agriculture—coffee, cotton, potatoes, rice, sugar cane. Fishing—anchovies, sardines. Manufacturing—fish products, metals, processed foods, textiles. Mining—copper, iron ore, lead, petroleum, silver, zinc.
Flag and coat of arms: Peru's state flag, used by the government, was adopted in 1825. The flag has three vertical stripes of red, white, and red (left to right). The state flag has a shield and wreath in the middle white stripe. The civil flag, used by the people, has no shield and wreath. The symbols on the shield of the coat of arms represent Peru's abundant animal, plant, and mineral resources.
Money: Basic unit—new sol. One hundred centimos equal one new sol.