Political parties and leaders:
Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA
Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF - a
coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva
Mayoria, and Si Cumple [Martha CHAVEZ Cossio]; Centrist Front
(Frente Del Centro) or FC - a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos
Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes [Drago KISIC];
Independent Moralizing Front (Frente Independiente Moralizador) or
FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; Nationalist Party Uniting Peru (Partido
Nacionalista Uniendo al Peru) or UPP - a coalition of Union for Peru
(UPP) and Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP) [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso];
National Restoration (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY
Sun]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano];
Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [David WAISMAN]; Peruvian Aprista
Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP - also referred to by its
original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA [Alan
GARCIA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]
International organization participation:
APEC, CAN, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur
(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,
UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,
UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Felipe ORTIZ de Zevallos
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco,
Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLE
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),
APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000
FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397
Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath
Economy Peru
Economy - overview:
Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal
region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering
Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the
mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent
fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals
subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of
infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of
inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by more
than 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2006, with a stable
exchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds on
secondary markets reached historically low levels in late 2004,
reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's prudent
fiscal policies and openness to trade and investment. Despite the
strong macroeconomic performance, underemployment and poverty have
stayed persistently high. Economic growth continues to be driven by
the Camisea natural gas megaproject and by exports of minerals,
textiles, and agricultural products. Upon taking office, President
GARCIA announced the formation of Sierria Exportadora, a program
aimed at promoting economic growth in Southern Peru and the
highlands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$181.8 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$76.09 billion (2006 est.)