Peru vs Chile — Country Comparison
Peru
ChilePeru and Chile side by side: Peru is the larger country (1,285,216 km² vs 756,102 km², roughly 1.7× the size), while Peru has the bigger population (34.4 million vs 20.2 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | Peru | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Lima | Santiago |
| Population | 34,350,244 | 20,206,953 |
| Area | 1,285,216 km² | 756,102 km² |
| Currency | Peruvian sol | Chilean peso |
| Languages | Spanish, Aymara, Quechua | Spanish |
| Dialling code | +51 | +56 |
| Main timezone | UTC-05:00 | UTC-04:00 |
| Drives on the | Right | Right |
| Region | South America | South America |
| Emergency number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) | 133 (police) / 131 (ambulance) |
Key differences: Peru vs Chile
- Peru has about 1.7 times the population of Chile.
- Peru is about 1.7 times larger by area.
- Peru is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use different currencies: PEN and CLP.
- They share Spanish as an official language.
- They share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 2,280 km apart.
- Chile is 1 hour ahead of Peru (UTC-05:00 vs UTC-04:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Want the full picture for each country? See Peru and Chile, or compare their population pages: Peru · Chile.
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Peru vs Chile — FAQ
Which is bigger, Peru or Chile?
Peru is bigger by area: 1,285,216 km² vs 756,102 km², roughly 1.7× the size of Chile.
Is Peru bigger than Chile?
Yes — Peru covers 1,285,216 km², compared to 756,102 km² for Chile.
Which has more people, Peru or Chile?
Peru has the larger population: 34,350,244 (34.4 million) vs 20,206,953 (20.2 million).
How does the size of Peru compare to Chile?
Peru (1,285,216 km²) is about 1.7× larger than Chile (756,102 km²).
Do Peru and Chile use the same currency?
No — Peru uses the Peruvian sol and Chile uses the Chilean peso.
Are Peru and Chile on the same continent?
Yes — both are in South America.
What is the time difference between Peru and Chile?
Chile is 1 hour ahead of Peru (UTC-05:00 vs UTC-04:00), not accounting for daylight saving changes.
Do Peru and Chile share an official language?
Yes — both share Spanish as an official language.
Do Peru and Chile share a border?
Yes — Peru and Chile share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, Peru or Chile?
Peru is more densely populated at roughly 27 people per km², compared to 27 for Chile.
How far is Peru from Chile?
The distance between the geographic centres of Peru and Chile is roughly 2,280 km (1,420 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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