Stiftung Hope Projects: Peru-People

Projects

Peru

	Population:	28,409,897
	Population growth rate:	1.61%
	Life expectancy:	70.88 years
	Ethnic groups:	45 % Amerindian 37 % mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 15 % white 3 % mulatto, black and Asians
	Religions:	93 % Roman Catholic 6 % protestant, 1 % natural religions
Ancient Peru was the seat of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. In the spring of 2001 Alejandro TOLEDO become the new head of government. After that guerrilla activities increased again by the rebels named "Sendero Luminoso" (Luminous Path).	Languages:	Spanish, Quechua, (Aymara)
		Data updated 2003