Peru
Republic of Peru
People: Peruvian
Peru is the heart of the ancient Inca Empire, home to Machu Picchu and a large share of the Amazon rainforest. Peru is located in South America and has a population of around 34.4 million. Its capital city is Lima, and the most widely spoken official language is Spanish.
By the numbers, Peru is the 43rd most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.43% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 19th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 27 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Peru — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Peru |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Lima |
| Continent | South America |
| Region | South America |
| Population | 34,350,244 |
| Area | 1,285,216 km² |
| Currency | Peruvian sol (PEN) S/ |
| Official Languages | Spanish, Aymara, Quechua |
| Dialling Code | +51 |
| Internet TLD | .pe |
| Timezone | UTC-05:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | PE / PER |
| Borders | Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador |
Travelling to Peru?
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Getting to and around Peru
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Planning a trip to Peru?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Peru
What is the capital and currency of Peru?
The capital of Peru is Lima and the currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN), symbol S/ .
What is the capital of Peru?
The capital of Peru is Lima.
What currency does Peru use?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN, symbol: S/ ).
What language do they speak in Peru?
The official languages of Peru are Aymara and Quechua and Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Peru?
The international dialling code for Peru is +51.
What side of the road does Peru drive on?
Peru drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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