FACTS

Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador

Area (only Total) total: 1,285,220 sq km

Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Population: 29,180,899 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital (Name): Lima

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821)