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Perhaps no other country has more to offer the visitor than Peru: panoramic mountain ranges, vast deserts, beautiful beaches and tropical jungle. All this combined with a rich historical
and archaeological past and enduring indigenous cultures.
Peru is divided into the three main geographical zones of costa (coast), sierra (mountains) and selva (rainforest). Such diverse landscape generates diverse pleasures; Peru successfully offers history, archaeology, sports, beaches, mountains, medicinal springs,
nature, fantastic landscapes, friendly people and mesmeric music. Ancient archaeological remains and Nazca Lines augment Peru’s sense of mystery.
The indigenous Inca civilisation of what is now Peru was conquered by Spain in the early 16th century. Spain ruled the country until independence
in 1821. The War of the Pacific broke out between Peru and Chile in 1879, with a complete victory for Chile and the loss to
Peru of some southern territories.
The first of Peru’s many military coups was in 1914. The junta lasted five years, before giving way to the civilian government of Augusto Leguia. His tenure ended with another military take-over. While the military has always been a powerful force
in Peruvian politics, its principal opponent and the country’s largest political party for much of the 20th century was the
Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana.
Politics has also persistently been dogged by alleged (and sometimes proven) corruption. The ’war on drugs’ has long dominated relations
between Peru and the USA. Border disputes have also arisen; the most serious of these was with Ecuador over access to the
Amazonian river system and control of the potentially mineral-rich Condor mountain range. In early 1995, full-scale fighting
broke out after talks broke down, continuing intermittently until a settlement was reached in 1999.
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Overview 
