World Enivironmental Issues Brief

  • LARGE AREAS SUBJECT TO OVERPOPULATION
  • INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS
  • POLLUTION (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances)
  • LOSS OF VEGETATION (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification)
  • LOSS OF WILDLIFE
  • SOIL DEGRADATION
  • SOIL DEPLETION
  • EROSION
  • GLOBAL WARMING

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Global Issues Snapshots

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Peru

— Current Environmental Issues —
deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

— Health Indicators —
HIV / AIDS prevalancy rate: 0.5
Fertility Rate: 2.5
Infant Mortality Rate: 30.0
Life Expectancy at Birth: Male: 68.3
Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: 72.0
Life Expectancy at Birth: Total Population: 70.1

— Population —
Population Total: 28,674,757
Population Growth Rate: 1.3

— Economic Indicators —
GDP Real Growth Rate: 6.5
Military Expendatures Percent of GDP: 1.6
Unemployment Rate: 7.2
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1
GDP Per Capita PPP: 6,400
Population Below Poverty Line: 54
    (Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations.)

— Education and Communications —
Global Issues Snapshots
Global Issues Snapshots
Bordering country: Bolivia
Bordering country: Brazil
Bordering country: Chile
Bordering country: Colombia
Bordering country: Ecuador

— Background —
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORIs election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the presidents increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government - Perus first democratically elected president of Native American ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, returned to the presidency with promises to improve social conditions and maintain fiscal responsibility.