More or less troublous times with brief intervals of harmony followed the securing of independence, until the War of the Pacific broke out in 1879. In accordance with a secret treaty, Peru went to the assistance of Bolivia after the Chilians had seized Antofagasta on account of a quarrel over a nitrate tax. Following some successes, the Peruvian fleet was destroyed; the coast was exposed to the enemy. In 1881 Lima was captured, and held until the signing of the treaty of Ancón in 1883. In accordance with this treaty the Province of Tarapacá was ceded to Chile. Tacna and Arica were yielded for ten years, at the end of which time the residents were to vote whether they desired to remain with Chile or return to their former allegiance. The fact that no vote has yet been taken, while Chile retains possession, has for years caused much ill feeling and friction between the two countries, which several times have been on the verge of war.
Within the last ten years there have been several internal disturbances in Peru and one revolution; these, however, are short lived and do not affect the people generally or interfere with business for more than a day or two; nor do the revolutions derange concessions or the investments of foreign capital.
Government
The government is a centralized republic, based on the constitution of 1860, revised in 1920. The President is now elected for five years; he is ineligible for immediate reëlection. The other two branches of government are of the usual form. Congress has two Chambers, a Senate of 35 members and Deputies 110, both elected by direct vote. Alternates are chosen to assume office in case of vacancy. There are also three local legislatures. The President appoints the Prefects of Departments and the Sub-prefects of Provinces; the Prefects name the Gobernadores of the Districts. The President controls the police of the country; the supervision of education is centralized. The Judiciary has a Supreme Court at Lima, nine Superior Courts in the chief cities, and Lower Courts in smaller places.
Peruvian male citizens over 21 may vote, if a master employer, a real estate owner, a tax payer, or able to read and write.
Peru has 22 separate divisions aside from Tacna, of which three are littoral Provinces and the rest Departments; the latter are divided into 118 Provinces, and these into 800 or more Districts. The Departments and unattached Provinces, with approximate area and population, their capitals, population, and altitude are as follows:
| Departments | Area, in square miles | Population | Population | Capitals | Altitude in feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Divisions | |||||
| Tumbes (Province) | 2,000 | 8,000 | Tumbes | 3,000 | |
| Piura | 17,000 | 155,000 | Piura | 15,000 | 167 |
| Lambayeque | 4,600 | 93,000 | Chiclayo | 5,000 | 82 |
| Libertad | 10,000 | 188,000 | Trujillo | 15,000 | 203 |
| Ancash | 16,500 | 317,000 | Huarás | 12,000 | 9,928 |
| Lima | 13,000 | 250,000 | Lima | 175,000 | 450 |
| Callao (Province) | 15 | 35,000 | Callao | 35,000 | 6 |
| Ica | 8,700 | 68,200 | Ica | 10,000 | 1,312 |
| Arequipa | 22,000 | 172,000 | Arequipa | 50,000 | 7,550 |
| Moquegua (Province) | 1,255 | 32,000 | Moquegua | 5,000 | 4,034 |
| Sierra Departments | |||||
| Cajamarca | 125,000 | 333,000 | Cajamarca | 12,000 | 9,230 |
| Huánuco | 14,000 | 110,000 | Huánuco | 6,000 | 6,270 |
| Junín | 23,000 | 305,000 | Cerro de Pasco | 15,000 | 14,300 |
| Huancavelica | 9,000 | 167,000 | Huancavelica | 8,000 | 12,400 |
| Ayacucho | 18,000 | 227,000 | Ayacucho | 20,000 | 9,200 |
| Apurimac | 8,100 | 133,000 | Abancay | 6,500 | 7,854 |
| Cuzco | 90,000 | 300,000 | Cuzco | 30,000 | 11,445 |
| Puno | 28,000 | 270,000 | Puno | 13,000 | 12,600 |
| Montaña Departments | |||||
| Amazonas | 14,000 | 53,000 | Chachapoyas | 4,500 | 7,635 |
| San Martín | 30,000 | 33,000 | Moyabamba | 5,000 | 2,900 |
| Loreto | 172,000 | 120,000 | Iquitos | 18,000 | 356 |
| Madre de Dios | 25,500 | 16,000 | Maldonado | 500 | 836 |
ECUADOR, PERU, BOLIVIA, SOUTHWEST BRAZIL