Peru

Peru at a Glance

Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It contains a variety of landscapes, from mountains and beaches to deserts and rain forests. The world’s largest rain forest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of Peru. Called the selva in Spanish, this huge jungle, which also covers half of Brazil, is home to plants and animals that do not live anywhere else on Earth.

Most people live along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where the capital, Lima, is located, while many rural and highland communities face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. Spanish and Quechua are widely spoken, reflecting the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity.